https://www.scmp.com/rss/328300/feed Previously working for one of Japan’s largest Scotch importers, George Koutsakis is a freelance writer and whisky specialist. His research and bylines have appeared in the South China Morning Post, Playboy, Financial Times, Food & Wine, The Japan Times, Liquor.com, Wine Enthusiast, and others. He can be found on Instagram @@georgekoutsakis_. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Even those with no knowledge of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency have heard the news – NFTs are here to stay. The advent of fully traceable non-fungible tokens has fuelled a dramatic growth in digital art that has changed the creative landscape forevermore. We all heard how Beeple became a multimillionaire overnight, when his The First 5000 Days was sold by Christie’s in May 2021 for a staggering US$69 million, in the first purely digital NFT artwork offered by a major auction... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3192066/how-are-nfts-driving-prices-rare-whiskies-gordon-macphail?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3192066/how-are-nfts-driving-prices-rare-whiskies-gordon-macphail?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Sep 2022 10:00:22 +0000 Back in the Age of Discovery, Ilha Formosa (“beautiful island”) was the name the Portuguese gave to Taiwan. Today the Renaissance Distillery, based in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan, uses an anglicisation of the name – “Isle of Formose” – to advertise the origin of its rum. Taiwanese spirits have slowly but surely risen in popularity across the globe over the past decade. Their rise began with Kavalan, which opened its single malt whisky distillery in 2005 and joined a competitive global scene where... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3136191/will-japanese-whisky-be-eclipsed-taiwan-islands-gin-and-rum?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3136191/will-japanese-whisky-be-eclipsed-taiwan-islands-gin-and-rum?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Jun 2021 08:00:12 +0000 While I was already wary of another celebrity-endorsed whiskey aimed for the masses, Proper No. Twelve started out well. Dedicated to the recently engaged Irish mixed martial artist (turned businessman) Conor McGregor’s hometown Crumlin, with the postcode Dublin 12, the whiskey embodies the fighter’s love for Ireland and is meant to showcase the craft of Irish whiskey making. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Proper No. Twelve... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3100165/conor-mcgregors-proper-no-twelve-whiskey-lacks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3100165/conor-mcgregors-proper-no-twelve-whiskey-lacks?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Sep 2020 19:00:10 +0000 The fame of Japanese whisky reaches far and wide, yet few know that the neighbouring island of Taiwan is one of the world’s biggest whisky markets. In fact, Taiwan is the only place where the consumption of the premium category of single malt whisky surpasses the blended whisky category. But when looking at the value of imported whisky, plus that produced domestically, which takes first place? Taiwan or Japan? Whisky Debates: which is the best Japanese blend? Taiwan View this... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3091737/home-highball-japan-gave-us-hibiki-nikki-and-yamazaki?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3091737/home-highball-japan-gave-us-hibiki-nikki-and-yamazaki?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Jul 2020 07:00:10 +0000 Experts swear by wine pairings; grape can match cheese, chocolate, seafood, you name it. Over in Japan, sake and shochu are paired with almost every local delicacy. Whisky has always been seen as a powerful spirit, one that would overwhelm any dishes or drinks it’s paired with. Well, that's just plain wrong. Whisky pairs wonderfully with food, from desserts to main courses, there's always a dram to go with each plate. But the question on our minds, and the topic of this Whisky Debates chapter:... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3084584/scotch-whisky-vs-bourbon-whiskey-which-better-food?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3084584/scotch-whisky-vs-bourbon-whiskey-which-better-food?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2020 00:00:12 +0000 While most whisky brands around the world release a single cask, few brands make it their core range as this approach makes both costs and loss higher. Single malt whisky is a blend of many different casks by any single distillery, thus flavours can be balanced easily. Single casks are released as is, allowing for more fluctuation in flavour. Taiwan’s Kavalan and Sullivans Cove from Tasmania release single cask bottlings as their core range, and have both won numerous awards globally during the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3081080/kavalan-vs-sullivans-cove-taiwan-takes-tasmania-battle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3081080/kavalan-vs-sullivans-cove-taiwan-takes-tasmania-battle?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2020 22:00:17 +0000 Japanese whisky has soared in popularity in the past decade and part of the category’s fame comes from Japan’s amazing understanding of blending whisky and creating immensely balanced expressions. Japanese distilleries have brought new depth to the blended whisky category, an amazing achievement and one primarily led by two premium ranges: Suntory’s Hibiki expressions and Nikka’s Taketsuru range. Which one, however, comes in at first place? Whisky Debates: Scotch vs Japanese – which should a... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3078100/whisky-debates-which-japanese-blends-are-best-suntorys?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3078100/whisky-debates-which-japanese-blends-are-best-suntorys?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2020 10:00:13 +0000 For years, whisky fans have sworn that whisky is best enjoyed neat, with no added mixers, water or ice. However, adding these to your dram can have many positive effects. Sadly, there are a few unwanted ones as well. In today’s instalment of Whisky debates we’ll be breaking down what to add to your whisky for the best experience possible. Water If you’ve ever attended a whisky tasting event held by a professional, odds are there was a small jug of water next to your tasting glasses. The... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3074928/whisky-debates-water-vs-ice-which-goes-best-your-dram?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3074928/whisky-debates-water-vs-ice-which-goes-best-your-dram?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2020 10:00:16 +0000 In the latest edition of STYLE’s Whisky Debates, we pit Scotch against Japanese whisky. For those looking at whisky as an investment, these two have been the leading categories for ages. Bourbon is popular in the United States, however, it hasn’t made a huge impact across the globe in terms of record-breaking prices. When focusing on collecting and investment, one question always comes up – which of the two leading categories should a collector pursue for investment? Whisky Debates: Glenfiddich... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3052237/whisky-debates-scotch-vs-japanese-which-best-investment-if?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3052237/whisky-debates-scotch-vs-japanese-which-best-investment-if?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Feb 2020 10:00:06 +0000 In the first piece of STYLE’s new Whisky Debates column we'll be comparing the two bestselling single malt Scotch whisky brands and their entry-level expressions. While there are many other great entry-level whiskies, focusing on two of the most widely distributed and recognised brands is the best place to start: the Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old and the Glenfiddich 12 Year Old. Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old – US$60 The Macallan brand is the most collectable and high-end brand in the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3050576/whisky-debates-glenfiddich-12-year-old-vs-macallan-double?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3050576/whisky-debates-glenfiddich-12-year-old-vs-macallan-double?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Feb 2020 10:00:14 +0000 How does one get started in wine? With the endless grape varieties, the depth and complexity of understanding terroir, it's an intimidating liquid to learn about. For most of us, our first contact with wine is in a bar or restaurant. The first few interactions and how gently drinkers are eased into the category can dictate whether they continue into the wine world or turn away from it. This brings us to Hide, one of London's most exciting restaurants. Open since early 2018, Hide holds bottles... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3043371/how-choose-perfect-wine-according-hide-london-restaurant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3043371/how-choose-perfect-wine-according-hide-london-restaurant?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Dec 2019 08:00:08 +0000 Flowers – they’re normally just cut and displayed in a pretty vase or given to friends and family on special occasions. But Nick Wu, a rising star at Bar Mood in Taipei, has taken those same, simple blooms and used them to enhance cocktails and drinks. The global mixology world has, in turn, taken notice. At the Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year competition in 2016, he shot to fame after topping three challenges and being named the fastest bartender in the world. Since then he has opened... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3035708/how-taiwanese-flowers-became-top-ingredient-cocktails-bar?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3035708/how-taiwanese-flowers-became-top-ingredient-cocktails-bar?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Oct 2019 18:00:15 +0000 When it comes to single malt whisky and cognac consumption, few beyond fanatical whisky drinkers and collectors know that Taiwan is one of the world’s top markets. The figures for gin, vodka and other spirits are also high. Taiwan is the only market where drinkers consume more premium single malt whisky than cheaper blends. So, why is production of the island’s own premium spirits not further advanced? Kavalan, Taiwan’s first whisky distillery, opened its doors a decade ago, followed closely by... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3031413/can-taiwans-premium-gin-producers-take-world-and-taiwanese?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3031413/can-taiwans-premium-gin-producers-take-world-and-taiwanese?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Oct 2019 04:00:08 +0000 Any whisky lover will know that Hong Kong is the global hub for live whisky auctions, where reserve prices are surpassed and world records on single bottle sales smashed. Whisky auctions are continuously in the spotlight, but what of the off-the-shelf retail whisky scene in Hong Kong? Where do the hidden collectors shop, who don’t want to be under the auction world spotlight, or pay the substantial buyer and seller fees? Here are some of the most expensive and rarest whisky bottles found across... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3029679/where-buy-rarest-and-most-expensive-whiskies-hong-kong-hk5?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3029679/where-buy-rarest-and-most-expensive-whiskies-hong-kong-hk5?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Sep 2019 18:00:11 +0000 The world of whisky is vast. Styles and categories differentiate themselves with the use of different grains, yeast strains and maturation climates. Scotch, bourbon, rye – no matter the classification, one of the most important factors affecting the final flavour of a whisky is the wood cask or barrel it's aged in. Oak reigns supreme in the whisky industry and, even more so, oak casks previously holding bourbon or sherry. A grand cru champagne cask, however, is something to note. The use of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3027485/why-did-whisky-maker-glenfiddich-experiment-champagne-casks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3027485/why-did-whisky-maker-glenfiddich-experiment-champagne-casks?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Sep 2019 02:00:13 +0000 As Japan’s food and drinks industry booms, one spirit has been left behind, arguably Japan’s true spirit. And, while this would make sense if the spirit was generally shunned, in Japan it’s a bestseller, served at every bar, restaurant, convenience store, and supermarket. The spirit is called shochu and here’s why it hasn’t been performing well on the international stage and what producers in Japan are doing to change that. What does the label say? View this post on... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/3008217/why-you-have-probably-never-heard-sochu-japans-most?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/3008217/why-you-have-probably-never-heard-sochu-japans-most?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Apr 2019 18:00:09 +0000 Taiwan’s Kavalan whisky distillery shows up on the global spirits stage each year, standing alone amid the competition from other regions steeped in whisky-making history. Usually when you think whisky, you think Scotland, Japan, or maybe American bourbon. But Kavalan has become an equal in just 10 years, having started in 2008. This year, it bagged nine gold medals at the San Francisco Spirits Competition, while founder Tien Tsai Lee and his son, Yu Ting Lee, were inducted into the Hall of Fame... https://www.scmp.com/food/science-behind-how-kavalan-hacked-whisky-making/article/2159919?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/food/science-behind-how-kavalan-hacked-whisky-making/article/2159919?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Aug 2018 06:28:31 +0000