Chivas Regal blended Scotch whisky recently held a tasting event at LIT, a whisky-focused Japanese bar in BGC, to celebrate the launch of Chivas Mizunara in the Philippines. Aside from the Mizunara; Chivas 12, Chivas Extra, and two kinds of whisky cocktails ( Japonism Fragrance and Mizunara Highball) were also served in the tasting event.
Francis Hasegawa, co-owner and LIT’s whisky and spirits concierge, enlightened with gusto the curious minds of the guests on the subject of the Mizunara. “ Mizunara is a Japanese oak which only grows in Hokkaido. Mizunara is a very precious, expensive wood. It’s a kind of blackish, narrow, thin, and tall- so to be able to make a cask, a barrel, you have to use maybe a hundred year old Mizunara wood. Colin Scott ( Chivas Regal Master Blender )- the inspiration he got for Chivas Mizunara was when he was eating sushi in Ginza, in Tokyo, you know the ginger on the side, we call it gari. The taste of this sweet- sour ginger inspired him to create this blend called Chivas Mizunara,” Francis spoke with authority.
(This writer had the good fortune to chat up with Scottish brand ambassador Hamish Houliston putting his query regarding Chivas whiskies to rest.)
Q: Even before the whisky boom in the Philippines, Filipinos are already drinking Chivas Regal. To what to you attribute the longevity or the success of the Chivas Regal in the liquor market?
A: “Chivas has a special place in the hearts of the Filipinos for a long time now, probably its because they could see the quality of the product. It is really an approachable, delicious whisky. I came from Speyside. It is amazing for me to come to the other side of the world and see whiskies being enjoyed.”
Q: Among the 3 that we have tasted, which one is your favorite?
A: “Its like choosing a favorite child. Its unfair. Chivas 12 is like an old friend I could always come back to; Chivas Extra, when I’m feeling changing things a bit. But Chivas Mizunara, I say that’s a real bit of indulgence- really delicious whisky.”
Q: Any thoughts on the cocktail Japonism Fragance?
A: “I say it’s delicious and the cocktail is great. It shows you that not only is the Mizunara fantastic neat, or on the rocks, or with water, or in a highball like they enjoy in Japan- it is really quite versatile.”
Q: What is the unique selling preposition of Chivas?
A: “It is its approachability. It has lots of Speyside fruitiness that makes it palatable to a lot of people. It does not have that smokiness that may not be everyone’s favorite flavor palate.”
Q: Anything you would like Filipinos know about Chivas Regal, specially the Millennials?
A: “It is not the whisky to put on the shelf and just stay there. The whisky is all about sharing with friends. You’d find that as soon as you open a bottle, you’ll make some new friends, so share it. It is the whisky to share and enjoy your success with friends.”
Chivas Regal is manufactured by Chivas Brothers, which is part of Pernod Ricard. Its distillery is at Keith, Moray in Speyside, Scotland. It boasts of being the oldest operating Highland distillery founded in 1786.