ABOUT THE TASTING:

Connoisseurs of Japanese whisky will be familiar with the name Nikka – it is, after all, one of the most venerated and longest-established whisky distilleries in Japan, and this masterclass will give aficionados the opportunity to delve deeply into the distillery’s 90-year history. Nikka was founded in July 1934 by Masataka Taketsuru. After travelling to Scotland and being seduced by Scotch whisky, he opened Nikka on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido and dedicated his life to perfecting the spirit that occupied his mind and won his heart.

Whisky expert Diego Araud will lead a tasting adventure that spans decades, highlighting, through five very different expressions, the distillery’s craftsmanship and innovation – and culminating in an additional, exclusive ‘surprise’ worthy of this milestone anniversary.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

Price: SGD 167
Time: 4PM - 5:15PM
Speaker: Diego Araud, Marketing Director, La Maison du Whisky Asia Pacific
Co-Host: CH’NG Poh Tiong, Keeper of the Quaich

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WHISKY EXPRESSIONS:

  • Nikka Whisky From The Barrel
  • Nikka Coffey Malt Whisky
  • Nikka Whisky Single Malt Yoichi
  • Nikka Whisky Single Malt Miyagikyo
  • Nikka Whisky Taketsuru Pure Malt 
  • A surprise

SPEAKER: DIEGO ARAUD

Diego began his journey in whisky and spirits over a decade ago, driven by a deep passion for the craft. He started his career at La Maison du Whisky in Paris in 2012 and has since held various positions in both Paris and Singapore (8 years in South East Asia).

With more than 12 years of experience, Diego has observed the evolution of Japanese whisky first hand, witnessing its rise to global prominence and ongoing innovation. Due to the incredibly close relationship between LMDW and Nikka Whisky, Diego also has the great honour of being Nikka's Spokesperson in Singapore - an unofficial role which he gladly embodies anytime the situation requires it.

CO-HOST: CH’NG POH TIONG

Bordeaux specialist CH’NG Poh Tiong is a world authority on the Marselan grape variety, Chinese wine and Japan’s indigenous koshu grape variety.

A lawyer by training, he is Regional Chair for Asia for the Decanter World Wine Awards, a position he has held since the Awards’ inception in 2004. He is a highly regarded wine consultant and wine and spirits writer, as well as a senior international wine judge.

As a keynote speaker at the Master of Wine Symposium 2002, he delivered the famous ‘Coca-Colonisation of Wine’ speech. He holds a postgraduate certificate with distinction in Chinese art from London’s School of Oriental & African Studies.

In 2012, CH’NG Poh Tiong was inducted at Blair Castle, Perthshire, as a Keeper of the Quaich, the highest honour in Scotch Whisky.