An Evening Immersed in the World of Single Malts: 'MHD Grand Malt Tasting 2012' | MHD Moët Hennessy Diageo

MHD Moet Hennessy Diageo

MHD Grand Malt Tasting 2012 Held

An Evening Immersed in the Profound World of Single Malts

There are said to be around 100 single malt distilleries in existence. Among them, MHD Moet Hennessy Diageo owns 12 distilleries highly popular with malt whisky enthusiasts worldwide, including Ardbeg, Talisker, and Lagavulin. The event "MHD Grand Malt Tasting 2012," where one could savor MHD's single malts all at once, was held on September 10th at Act Square in Ebisu.

Text by TANAKA Junko (OPENERS)

12 Distinct Brands Gathered

Single malt whisky, Scotland's pride. This is a designation, akin to a title, given only to malt whiskies made from malted barley at a single distillery. Its greatest appeal lies in the ability to enjoy the unique, entirely different flavors of each distillery. Single malt whiskies embody the distillery's dedication, history, and the climate and terroir of their respective regions.

MHD boasts a top-class lineup among single malt producers. From the intensely characterful Talisker, Ardbeg, and Lagavulin to the mellow Glenmorangie and Glenkinchie, 12 world-leading brands are represented.

The "MHD Grand Malt Tasting" is an event that proposes a rich lifestyle with single malts, showcasing the charm of these 12 brands. This second iteration's theme was "Find your flavour." The tasting corner featured not only each brand's flagship products but also limited editions, treasured collections, and pre-release bottles, delighting the approximately 300 attendees.

Furthermore, interactive corners, including a bar offering various cocktails made with single malts, a food-matching seminar to experience pairings with food, a unique display representing single malt flavors with food and plants, and a quiz to guess brand names by tasting, were so popular that entry was temporarily restricted.

Additionally, distillery managers from Ardbeg, Talisker, Lagavulin, and Glenmorangie visited Japan to personally share the charm of their brands. A talk show with whisky critic Mamoru Tsuchiya was held.

Ardbeg and Glenmorangie
Distillery and Production Manager
Dr. Bill Lumsden
Dr. Lumsden, while remaining true to tradition, actively pursues new initiatives, earning numerous awards and accolades. He is also known as a pioneer in cask maturation, traveling to wine and spirit regions worldwide in constant pursuit of the finest casks.
"I am always impressed by the depth of knowledge and passion of Japanese enthusiasts. Tonight, I've brought 'Ardbeg Galileo,' a limited edition created to commemorate Ardbeg's participation in a space experiment." Regarding Glenmorangie, he commented, "It is a truly unique single malt with a strong focus on cask maturation. Please enjoy its rich aroma and flavor aged in the finest casks."

Talisker
Distillery Manager
Mark Lochhead
Lochhead, with over 20 years in the whisky industry, moved to the Isle of Skye four years ago.

"This is my second visit to Japan. I come from the Isle of Skye, an island with a population of just over 10,000. It boasts scenery that is particularly beautiful, even within Scotland's rich natural landscapes. Talisker single malt will transport you to such a Skye. Please do try it."

Lagavulin
Distillery Manager
Georgie Crawford
Crawford received an "advanced education" in whisky from her parents, who ran a bar. In April of this year, she returned to her hometown of Islay and became the first female manager in Lagavulin's history.

"I am finally able to fulfill my long-held wish to visit Japan. Lagavulin is one of the representative brands from Islay. When you taste it, please close your eyes and fully savor the peaty, smoky flavor."

After the talk show, they actively engaged with attendees, personally offering pours and readily answering questions. It felt like a mini-tour of the distilleries, making it an evening to experience the profound and diverse world of single malts more intimately.

MHD's 12 Single Malt Brands

Ardbeg

Established 1815 | Isle of Islay

The "ultimate" single malt, ardently desired worldwide, perfectly balancing intense smokiness with delicate sweetness. This distillery has been voted the world's No. 1 for three consecutive years. It is highly acclaimed globally as the most delicate and complex malt whisky.

Talisker

Established 1830 | Isle of Skye

The powerful single malt from the sole distillery on the Isle of Skye is truly a masculine malt whisky. Talisker's distinctive explosive peppery flavor and sea aroma are highly valued by whisky connoisseurs. It is a single malt that has been loved for many years, even described as the "King of Drinks" by Robert Louis Stevenson, author of 'Treasure Island.'

Lagavulin

Established 1816 | Isle of Islay

A single malt produced at a picturesque distillery facing Lagavulin Bay on the Isle of Islay. With its passionate, smoky, and rich flavor, it is regarded by many enthusiasts as the definitive single malt from Islay.

Glenmorangie

Established 1843 | Northern Highlands

A "sensual" single malt from the Highland region. Born from Scotland's tallest stills, it possesses a pure and floral character. Furthermore, its rich flavor is matured in carefully selected premium oak casks. It is the most consumed single malt in Scotland.

Caol Ila

Established 1846 | Isle of Islay

Caol Ila means "Sound of Islay" in Gaelic. It refers to the strait separating the Isle of Islay and the Isle of Jura, an area renowned as one of the most scenic on Scotland's west coast. The Caol Ila distillery, situated in this secluded bay, is a noteworthy distillery that has gained significant popularity in recent years.

Glenkinchie

Established 1837 | Lowlands

One of the few remaining distilleries in the Lowland region. Located just 32 kilometers from the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, it sits amidst a tranquil landscape surrounded by barley fields. The whisky produced here is known as the "Edinburgh Malt."

Dalwhinnie

Established 1898 | Highlands

Located at an altitude of approximately 326 meters above sea level, it is the second highest distillery in Scotland. It is considered the coldest inhabited place in Scotland. This distillery produces a whisky characterized by aromas of heather and honey. In fact, it also serves as a government weather observation post, and measuring temperature and humidity is a daily morning routine for the staff.

Cragganmore

Established 1869 | Speyside

A representative distillery of Speyside, known for producing exceptional single malts and as a salmon fishing spot. The unique pot stills, designed by founder John Smith with flat tops, produce an elegant whisky. It was also the first distillery to have a railway line built.

Oban

Established 1794 | West Highlands

One of Scotland's oldest distilleries. It is no exaggeration to say that the town of Oban developed around the distillery, highlighting its contribution to the local community. Using lyne arm stills, it produces a distinctive malt whisky that combines characteristics of both the Highlands and the Islands.

Glen Elgin

Established 1898 | Speyside

A distillery of architectural beauty, designed and built by the renowned distillery architect Charles Doig of Elgin. The single malt, made with the abundant natural water from Millbuie Loch, located southeast of the distillery, showcases the Speyside character with a dominant honey-like sweetness and malty aroma.

Clynelish

Established 1819 | Northern Highlands

Established in 1819, the Clynelish distillery was rebuilt as a new distillery in 1967 on an adjacent site, with an identical design to the original building. The old distillery was renamed Brora and operated until 1983, but now only the Clynelish distillery is active, producing single malts favored by connoisseurs.

Clynelish

Established 1898 | Speyside

The unique name of the distillery originates from the Gaelic "Knock an Dhu," meaning "little black hill." The building, with its pagoda-style roof, is truly fantastical. Bottling is done exclusively from single distillation year casks, and the distillation year is clearly marked on the bottle. Few other single malts have this feature, making it a unique characteristic of Clynelish.