An impromptu visit to this charming bar in Seoul. No notepad means no extensive note-taking, just the social experience and overall impressions.
JS, JWB and I arrive well after JWB said we would, yet they retained a table for us, which is pretty helpful, as punters are lining up to get in. As we sit down, we notice nibbles on the table -- yay!
A quick peek over my shoulder reveals a well-stocked bar, though the dim lighting does not make for easy identification. We spot a couple of Wilson & Morgan offerings, as well as a trio of Nectar of the Daily Drams, and some Artist bottlings, a collection by La Maison du Whisky. Most unexpected.
The bartender sends us his colleague, who seems more aware of what is available: no menu, she says, but she will happily recommends something, based on our taste. We point out the bottles whose labels we recognise, and ask for more information. She helpfully brings them to the table so we can peruse at our leisure.
After twenty seconds converting prices in our heads and debating the potential qualities of each bottle, it dawns on me that the most sensible thing to do is to ask for something we cannot try in Europe -- Korea-exclusive bottlings. They have a selection of those -- at least half a dozen of them, in fact.
We start with three of them.
The English 2013/2022 (59.7%, OB Single Cask Release South Korea Exclusive, Sauternes Cask, C#B1/0799, 269b): gotta love the typo in "Sauternes". This is sweet and powerful, and, all in all, super pleasant. The surprise of the night, without a doubt. 8/10
Caol Ila 12yo 2010/2023 (54.8%, Bartels Whisky Highland Laird Korean Exclusive, C#318451, 323b, b#224): simple-ish young Caol Ila. It does what it is expected to do (smoked seaweed, anyone?) very well, yet it is perhaps a bit predictable. 7/10
Macduff 11yo 2011/2023 (63.7%, Bartels Whisky Highland Laird Korean Exclusive, C#900353, 317b, b#122): honey-glazed walnuts, oily precious woods. Despite the fierce strength, it goes down like water. In fact, I reckoned it had to be low 50s. Superb. 8/10
Favourite:
- JS: The English Whisky
- JWB: Caol Ila -- the predictability is exactly what he likes about it
- tOMoH: Macduff
We are offered a delicious whisky-based cocktail. The hell if we can identify it, though. "Rob Roy," I say, showing all my ignorance, when it comes to cocktails. JS reckons it is a Manhattan. She may well be right. JWB obtains the answer. I swiftly forget it. Ahem.
All of a sudden, a strong smell of incense invades the place. JWB calls it a faux pas, and brings the mistake to the attention of the staff. It is not incense, but grilled beef that they grill using some aromatic wood blend. Also, that beef is for us. Ahem.
Second round.
Benrinnes 22yo 1996/2019 (51.4%, Signatory Vintage for La Maison du Whisky Artist Collective #3.1, 3 x Hogsheads): archetypal Benrinnes with pine needles and pine nuts. Excellent. 8/10
Clynelish 26yo 1995/2022 (57%, Signatory Vintage for The Nectar of the Daily Drams imported by the Nectar): powerful, complex, with precious woods, lacquers, and a faint note of burnt rubber. The irony, though, to fly twelve hours then drink a whisky from a Belgian bottler... 9/10
Glen Scotia 5yo 2016/2022 (56.8%, OB Exclusive Cask specially selected for South Korea, First Fill Oloroso Hogshead, C#21/769-5, 246b): sweet, approachable, though JWB finds it a notch of rubber too. 8/10
Favourite:- JS: Clynelish
- JWB: Benrinnes
- tOMoH: Benrinnes
What a great night out, full of unexpected drams, in this part of the world. Prices reflect the distance, but if one sticks to the exclusives, it is certainly worth a visit. Not to mention all the extras that seem to be included in the price of the whiskies. Will definitely come again, given the opportunity.
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