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Glenrothes Media Dinner with Ronnie Cox
[Special Event]
Fine Whisky, Delicious Food. Good Company
I really enjoy alcohol pairings ever since my very first one back in 2008. This has continued over the years as I’ve been invited to some pretty awesome and exclusive ones over the years and when the invite came in for Glenrothes I was very excited indeed.
Picked up Conne and we braved the rush-hour traffic and made our way over to the Hotel Majestic in Kuala Lumpur on 4 July 2013. This was actually my second visit to the newly revamped Hotel Majestic which is currently under the YTL group of companies.
Built in 1932, featuring a combination of neo-classical and art deco styles, the 51 room hotel sat on a hilltop site facing the Kuala Lumpur railway station. The main building is characterised by tall white classically proportioned Roman columns and detailed cornices., while the curved driveway and covered Porte Cochere adds to the sense of grandeur.
The hotel catered to every whim and fancy of contemporary society back in those years. For the first time in Malayan history, modern sanitation was introduced in all rooms, with hot and cold water, showers, and long baths in 18 rooms, something that we take for granted today but was considered the height of luxury in its day.
The hotel also featured custom designed furniture, silverware and furnishings imported from England all while a big attraction to KL’s socialites was the roof garden, with a dance floor and seating for 350 guests. Artistes from all over the world performed at the hotel, including popular acts from Hollywood and the Coliseum in London.
At its peak, The Hotel Majestic was the largest and grandest hotel in Kuala Lumpur, unrivalled for its prestige and luxury. Favoured by the colonial elite and prominent visitors, she was the venue for extravagant parties, Sunday curry tiffin lunches and that most European of traditions, the tea dance.
By the 1970s, newer, bigger and more luxurious hotels overtook it but the hotel was saved from demolition by the government, and was gazetted as a heritage building under the Antiquities Act. At the end of 1983, the hotel finally closed and became the National Art Gallery from 1984 until 1998, after which YTL was given the task of restoring it.
The dinner was in the Smoke House which also housed a cosy bar where we were hosted for a cocktail before the dinner.
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The Glenrothes distillery was established by the burn of Rothes in Speyside, Scotland in 1879, and has been producing its characteristic Speyside single Malt for over 130 years. Unlike most other whisky distilleries, the maturity of The Glenrothes is determined not by age, but by Vintage (think of it like wine however unlike wine whisky does not mature in the bottle so it is pointless keeping a bottle of whisky for years hoping that a 12 year old whisky kept in your cupboard for 6 years will taste like a 18 year old whisky). By producing it’s whiskies by vintage instead of age, Glenrothes aims to capture the spirit of some memorable moments, captured forever in specific expressions of their award winning liquid gold.
The Glenrothes is a single malt whisky made of exceptional quality featuring a combination of many factors including their unusually slow distillation process in tall copper pot stills that delivers their characteristic sweet, fruity and elegant spirit. Further flavours are derived from their extensive knowledge of maturation in oak casks.
Each expression/ vintage has its own unique personality, are the core of which lie the characteristics of the distillery – ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and an exquisite spicy finish in a creamy texture achieving a complex and well-poised balance.
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Here a little video of Ronnie showing you how to taste a whisky.
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Unfortunately we didn’t get to taste the Glenrothes Single Cask 1970 #10573 as it’s so expensive however here are the tasting notes:
The Glenrothes Single Cask 1970 #10573 has a clear and bright appearance with rich golden hues.
For the nose it is distinctly earthy and autumnal, smelling of windfall apples and cider cellar, toffee apples with icing sugar, sponge fingers with custard, and puff pastry with apple.
On the palate it is light and peppery and fresh with citrus and eucalyptus. It has a subtle and supple, satin feel with a texture of crepe de chine.
It has a long and beguiling finish that gives you a taste of very, very dark chocolate.
There are only 10 bottles available in South East Asia, and you can get a The Glenrothes Single Cask 1970 #10573 at MYR 20,000.00 while stocks last.
For sales enquiries, contact Asiaeuro Wines & Spirits Sdn Bhd at 03-78832828.
Glenrothes is distributed in Malaysia by Beam Global and for more info on Beam and it’s brands you can head over to www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com
Managing Editor and Founder of MHB Digital - http://mhbdigital.com
More than 15 years of media, marketing, and management experience with various media owners and publishers. View all posts by Tim Chew
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One thought on “Glenrothes Media Dinner with Ronnie Cox”