Find New Ways to Appreciate Scotch Whisky This Month at #LoveScotch Events

Now in its second year, the #LoveScotch global movement celebrates “the world’s favorite whisky” and challenges preconceived notions about drinking Scotch.

Diageo’s Master of Whisky Ewan Gunn visited Manila to kick off the month-long #LoveScotch festival celebrating International Scotch Day (Feb. 10) with a master class at Oto Bar in Poblacion, Makati.

“Everywhere you go, people know and love Scotch,” says Gunn. Diageo—the world’s largest producer of spirits— sells over 400 million bottles of Scotch a year. The company partnered with Samsung Gear VR Powered by Oculus to create immersive virtual reality tours of its distilleries that highlight the craftsmanship of its products.

The Scotland-based #LoveScotch global ambassador guided guests through a nosing and tasting of Johnnie Walker Black Label (“the Everest of the blender’s art”), Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve (a Celebration Luxury Blend with a lingering creamy honey sweetness), and The Singleton 12 Year Old (a light and smooth single malt).

During the second part of the master class, guests made their own “Perfect Serves” with Johnnie Walker Black Label. Gunn dispelled the myth that Scotch doesn’t belong in mixed drinks. “It can be enjoyed in cocktails and it’s been done for centuries. If you look at classic cocktail menus from the great bars, Scotch features pretty heavily.”

5 Ways to Drink Johnnie Walker Black Label:

Neat – a 30 ml pour

On the rocks – a 30 ml shot with a spherical ice cube

Johnnie Ginger – 30 ml Johnnie Walker Black Label with 120 ml ginger ale (#LoveScotch ambassadors Coco Rocha and Raymond Gutierrez are fans of this drink)

Johnnie Apple – 30 ml Johnnie Walker topped with apple juice and garnished with apple slices

Johnnie Sour – 30 ml Johnnie Walker Black Label, 15 ml sugar syrup, 15 ml lemon juice shaken and topped with ice – The Curator owner David Ong mixed these as welcome drinks for guests before the tasting session

Other ways to enjoy Scotch:

Old Fashioned with green tea – this combination is big in China

With a splash of tonic water – a DrinkManila recommendation

So what’s the best way to drink Scotch? “Whatever you enjoy—that’s the right way,” says Gunn.

The 2017 #LoveScotch festival runs from Feb. 8 to March 15. The #LoveScotch Bar Takeover featuring World Class brand Ambassador Rian Asiddao takes place at ABV on Feb. 17, Reserve Fort on Feb. 22, and The Curator on March 3. Special offers include Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve celebration packages at The Palace and Chaos, Johnnie Walker Wednesdays and Weekends at select bars and clubs, gift packs, and other #LoveScotch promotions. For more information about upcoming events and special offers, visit their Facebook page.

Event photos by Star Sabroso