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Freida Pinto stops by Manila to show love for scotch
Days before Valentine’s Day,Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto landed in Manila for a date with TV host Raymond Gutierrez, Sunnies creative director Martine Cajucom, singer-songwriter Jess Connelly, entrepreneur Nico Bolzico, and a glass of scotch.
The diverse group of celebrities led the launch of #LoveScotch, an international month-long celebration of Scotch whisky.
Hosted in cult favorite urban bar pair 20:20 and XXXX, the Wednesday night air buzzed with the chatter of an effortlessly cool crowd as a smooth remix of Bobby Caldwell’s "Open Your Eyes" played in the background. At the bar, World Class Bartender of the Year 2016 Michael Tubiera worked his magic on a three-part menu of scotch-based drinks: a smoking glass of The Singleton of Glen Ord on the rocks; a friendly pairing of scotch and ginger ale; and a dramatic, flaming whisky sour. Up on the railing, cheeky posters read messages like “I followed my <3 and it led me to scotch” and “Scotch doesn’t ask silly questions, scotch understands.”
Far from the stereotypical picture of an old man’s drink, the evening painted a scene of fun and flavor, free of pretense.
Whisky 101
One of the evening’s highlights was a session led by whisky master Ewan Gunn, which began with Gunn pouring the drinks. With a familiar bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label in hand, he took orders from the table.
“Do you want it on the rocks or straight up?” he started, and then quickly went on to say, “I don’t mind how you wanna drink it… Honestly, however you enjoy it, I’m delighted.”
On the table were three bottles, each iconic in their own right: Johnnie Walker Black Label, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve and The Singleton of Glen Ord. The first, for its instantly recognizable bottle and “signature smokiness that Johnnie Walkers are known for”; the second, for its “honey, creamy notes” and “approachable” flavor and texture; and the third, for its “caramel toffee sweetness… and [subtle] blueberry fruitiness” which make for a “beautiful introduction to single malts.”
No rules
The #LoveScotch global movement aims to debunk the myths surrounding this surprisingly versatile drink, among them that it is a man’s drink, that it is meant to be taken neat or that it is only for serious occasions.
In our enlightening session with Gunn, these myths and more were put to rest.
First, the often asked question of the difference between “whisky” and “whiskey.” A quick search through the dictionary will tell you that the difference in spelling depends on the place of origin, in that one would write “Scotch whisky,” but “Irish whiskey” or “Tennessee whiskey.”
“We’re a small country and yet this liquid we make, you find it everywhere in the world. That’s something that makes us really, really proud,” said Gunn, a Scotsman and world traveler (at 78 countries and counting) who represents Diageo, one of the largest distributors of alcoholic beverages in the world.
The next myth, which was dispelled as quickly as it was brought up, is that women shouldn't or don't drink scotch. When Gunn said, “You wouldn’t believe how many people tell me that scotch is a man’s drink,” his statement was met with resounding nos and violent shaking of the head from his small audience.
“Scotch is always thought of as too masculine for women, or too serious to be a casual drink, but I think scotch is no longer just for men—it’s for ladies now, too,” said Connelly.
Connelly's fellow brand ambassador Cajucom also cited the versatility of scotch as a reason to love the drink. “I can enjoy it on the rocks or in a cocktail, depending on my mood,” she said.
Indeed, “some of the classic cocktails made in the turn of the century… that have been around for 80 or 90 years” are made with scotch, said Gunn, dispelling another widespread myth that “you should never have... [scotch] in a cocktail.”
“Scotch in a cocktail, it’s not a new thing… it's just enjoying it in a different way,” said Gunn.
Love at first sip
“I’ve worked with scotch for almost 20 years and I adore it. I absolutely adore it,” said Gunn as he recalled a moment with his father before he left for university when he first tried scotch “really clearly”—his favorite memory of his favorite drink.
His advice for those who are trying Scotch whisky for the first time is to “try it in a long drink.”
“Our blender enjoys drinking black label with ginger ale, and that’s the guy who makes it, so if it’s good enough for him, I’d say it’s good enough for everyone,” he added.
Although the art behind the liquor can be intimidating for any neophyte, Gunn insists that scotch is “about enjoying it however you want, wherever, whenever you want.”
“We have very specialized curved glasses for… tasting… and that’s when we’re analyzing it. But when I’m in a nightclub with my friends, I’m not analyzing it. I’m enjoying it,” he quipped.
Global scotch ambassador Freida Pinto seemed to share the same sentiments, citing that “scotch is made to be enjoyed with good company: whenever, wherever.”
The festivities for #LoveScotch run from February 8 to March 15, 2017. — BM, GMA News
