[Wines & Spirits]
Headed over to the newly opened Open House in Suria KLCC for a lunch with Gonzalez Byass International Brand Ambassador – Spirits – Boris Ivan. Over some delicious Malaysian fine dining cuisine and some cold Tio Pepe, Boris shared some insights into the brands that he handles as well as some of his career highlights.
The history of Gonzalez Byass began back in 1835 when the young Manuel María González Ángel founded the company and started a long, and passion-filled journey, dedicated to the world of wine. Manuel Mª found the support he needed, to get this fascinating business dedicated to Sherry wine started, in his uncle, José Ángel, Tío Pepe (Uncle Joe). It was he who showed his nephew everything he knew about Fino wines, so much so that his name was given to the winery’s foundational solera “Solera del Tío Pepe”.
Today, Gonzalez Byass produces some of the world’s best sherry in Tio Pepe, as well as wines, and liquors such as London No.1 gin, MOM gin, Nomad whisky, brandy and more which are exported globally, and is available here in Malaysia through the official importer and distributor – Fortier Wines & Spirits.
Born in Poprad, Slovakia, Boris started his career in the bar industry whilst at University in Slovakia where he studied psychology working part time at different bars. In 2004 he moved to London and took a position at the Soho Hotel. After over two years he moved to Prague to take up the position as Assistant F&B manager at the Hotel Pariz. While in Prague, Boris studied the art of Japanese mixology and together with Stanislav Vadrna worked as external bar consultant in award winning bar, UFO.
In August 2008 he left hotel Pariz a to return to the Soho Hotel as the senior bartender before moving to Hush, Mayfair. At Hush Boris was part of the development team and won several awards for molecular mixology at the First Bar Show in Barcelona.
In 2010, he joined the Disaronno Mixing Star Competition and won 1st place in early 2011 representing the UK in the European Mixing star final. After a busy year, Boris left Hush bar and accepted a position in the newly opened Mint Hotel, Tower Bridge, where he ran the Sky Lounge bar. In April 2013 he joined Galvin at Windows team as Bar Manager managing a team of 15 people and running all aspects of the bar business at this world famous Michelin star restaurant.
Throughout his career he has worked in a private capacity working for A list celebrities including Jay Z and Robbie Williams and as a member of The Dan Aykroyd Star Tender Program, before joining Gonzalez Byass as International Brand Ambassador for the Spirits.
For more info on Gonzalez Byass, head over to https://www.gonzalezbyass.com/
Tio Pepe, London No.1, MOM gin, Nomad whisky and other Gonzalez Byass products are exclusively distributed in Malaysia by Fortier Wines & Spirits. For more info, head over to http://fws.com.my/
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