RM500-800 kinda hefty. i dont mind joining but would prefer wines of a lower price. i got some suggestions for very nice and affordable wines as well as locations where u can bring ur own wines with no corkage charge (and pair with some nice steaks). keep me in ur list 

No.... not meat works the place has a choice of black angus and wagyu. not as low priced as Las Vacas but done the right way... with salt and pepper, no sauce and served with a side of english mustard. not overpriced as well. medium rare inside and charred on the outside. quite minimalist but a quiet setting for u to sip wine to alternate between bites of beef.

done. normally i like to bring a bottle of malbec or cab sav for the steak. if the group is big, i would bring my own aerator filter and decanter too.

Dear Lanatir and Sliver2C,

Thanks for getting the ball rolling on this one.
But just 2 comments:

1. The RM500 - 800 plus is for the whole group. So if we have 8 pax, it comes to RM60-100 per pax.
If you can eat Wagyu, what is RM60.

2. Anyway, let's no get carried away because this is wine tasting - not wine drinking and dinner.
That's why I suggested Denise Wine TTDI too, bcos they have a room inside the shop and nice big table.
As for the Siew Yuk place, all we need to do is to order 2-3 plates of Siew Yuk and we can have a big table to our place too.

3. Yes, if we can - we order the cheaper range of the wines suggested in the course. But as I mentioned, some wines are just expensive here in Malaysia. Like a German Riesling - I have not found anything below RM70.

Looks like both of you are quite expert - so hope you can guide us beginners.
Can I go ahead and list down the first members?

1. sliver2c
2. lanatir
3. catl

i want blue cheese 

The Denise Wine Shop in TTDI has a nice back room, sort of like a private bar.
They may have everything but I suspect that if we are going to taste about 5-6 different bottles each time, then they may not have enough glasses for everyone.

As for buying wine there, in my opinion - they are expensive.
But if we can't find a particular wine (like say a Sauternes) that we need for the tasting, then we can buy from them and as long as we buy 1 bottle, I think we can use the place.
My only main gripe with the place is that it is dark.
We need a very well lit place, with white Fluorescent lights or halogen spotlights if possible.

And for that, I can arrange to have it a close friend's restaurant in Bangsar if needed.

The 1st lesson requires a Burgundy Chablis and a Barossa Valley Chardonay.

@sliver2c
hi there...would u mind recommend a few cigar for a beginner?
*which have a mild touch of sweetness in it. not 2 sweet lah if can.
would havana honey rum suit for that?

huhh..interesting...i wouldn't mind to join the event for a little experience...hehe..
so you own a cigar shop? if so where is it? would like to visit the shop this weekend.
as this will be my 1st time buy a cigar, the market price is it still RM35 as you mention in previous post?

do u have any recommendation on the shop to purchase that cigar? 

got this from scotland
can find this in msia ah?

The Denise Wine Shop in TTDI has a nice back room, sort of like a private bar.
They may have everything but I suspect that if we are going to taste about 5-6 different bottles each time, then they may not have enough glasses for everyone.

As for buying wine there, in my opinion - they are expensive.
But if we can't find a particular wine (like say a Sauternes) that we need for the tasting, then we can buy from them and as long as we buy 1 bottle, I think we can use the place.
My only main gripe with the place is that it is dark.
We need a very well lit place, with white Fluorescent lights or halogen spotlights if possible.

And for that, I can arrange to have it a close friend's restaurant in Bangsar if needed.

The 1st lesson requires a Burgundy Chablis and a Barossa Valley Chardonay.

so how ah?

Hi All..

I have few question in mind... I just started smoking cigars...Been smoking few montecristo no.5...and i pretty much enjoyed it...I dunno why...it is usually in my bathroom where i can truly enjoy my cigar...haha...

My question is what other brands should i try besides montecristo no.5...if possible, please provide the price range as well..

cigars....
hhmmm.. i think it is time for me to drop by the curve.. hehehehe

---

Added on April 21, 2011, 3:21 pmvilleger...

is this brand good?
where does it stand compare to the rest?
thanks

any suggestion on cheaper dominican cigars ?
brand, type and price.... i may wish to try some...

ok, thanks. will drop by one day to grab one to try.
i check from the net, that they do sell sample.
like 5 diff stick of cigar in a package at cheaper price.
can we get those in KL?

Join me for cigars @ Starbucks Ampang Point on weekdays at night after 9PM or Starbucks Mont Kiara on Weekends after 11PM. Bored to smoke alone all the time.

At night after 10PM at Starbucks Ampang Point, its extremely quiet as the shopping complex has closed. Weekends at Starbucks Mont Kiara after 11PM is extremely quiet too cause the more happening places are at Sri Hartamas and not at Plaza Mont Kiara.

^I thought Absinthe is banned in Malaysia ?

Any Absinthe drinkers here?


The heat from the flame carmelizes the sugar cube and enhances the flavor.  Not a traditional method of preparation, but pretty cool nonetheless.
I found it near impossible to find this stuff in M'sia so it was all shipped in at high cost.

Actually, that's a good question.  I have no idea.  I am a expat, so what do I know anyways. =)
Absinthe was banned in the U.S. until last year I believe.



This is more on-topic.

HP12 is one of the best Scotch's I've ever tried.  Simply amazing.  Does anyone know where I can find good Whisky/Bourbon/Scotch in M'sia?  Penang or KL?

Expensive to import, but I have not been able to find it.  Maybe I should bring over a container of this stuff and go into business selling.  I see most people spending on Martell, Otard and Henn, so I'm not sure how that would go. 
I wish this thread was a bit more alive, but I'll contribute nonetheless.
(on the back of the box)

ENJOY THE PERFECT GLASS OF HIGHLAND PARK

First, hold your glass to the light to enjoy the clear AMBER glow, then tilt and rotate it to see the beads of whisky appear on the inside of the glass. The smaller they are, the higher the alcohol strength, and the slower they fall, the better the spirit quality.

Next, add a drop of water and take three long sniffs. The first just gets your nose used to the alcohol, but in the second, you'll discover our characteristic honey sweetness, and in the THIRD, fruit - maybe pineapple, apple or pear.

Now, taste the whisky by CHEWING it in your mouth for 4 or 5 seconds, then swallow. The front of your tongue will start to tingle and after a few seconds your mouth will go dry leave a GENTLE SMOKEY FEELING and a flavor that keeps on going.

haha, no green fairy!  but maybe i didnt drink enough.

Basil Hayden's looks good.  In fact the presentation is much more significant than the taste, which I can only describe as "underwhelming."
But it's still very crisp, despite being mild in flavour and complexity.

Yes, both are excellent and generally receive high marks in tasting tests.  The Knobs is aged 9 years, but has a world of complexity over the BH and the Bookers is phenomenal, although quite "potent" in alcohol.  Needs a bit of water to really bring out the little nuances in taste.
 
But, for entertaining guests that aren't quite "accustomed" to sampling of Bourbon's, this is quite less offensive.  Also, I find it a great "Everyday" Bourbon, just as the HP12 is a great everyday Scotch, and for that I appreciate it very much.  And yes, sexy looking bottle with a copper strip and metal logo.


Today I cracked open a bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask.  Wow, just as the BH was underwhelming, this stuff is overwhelming, but in a very good way.
As I prefer Islay Single Malts to Speyside or Orcadian Scotch's, this was just what I was hoping for.

The scent is Vanilla and Peat.  The taste - the usual sherry and vanilla at first note and a ton of super smokey peat on the finish. It's actually quite peppery with a fiery burn and an everlasting finish.  I kid you not, you can taste this stuff in your mouth hours after you've had your last glass.

Again, super smokey.  Like putting burnt wood in your mouth with some peat moss.

Amazing!

Side by side with the Lagavulin, this is hotter, not quite as smooth, definitely a smokier peat, and a tad overwhelming if you're not a Islay fan.
The Lagavulin is definitely more balanced, but this is quite good in its own right.

I left some Macanudo's at work - this would be great with 'em!

I've tried the Ardbeg (spelled without the second 'r') 10 yr and its basically too much fire and pepper.  The stuff burns going down.  Something about it tastes a bit unrefined.  I love the peat and smoke, but the fire and burn is a bit too much on the finish.

The Laphroaig Quarter Cask is much more manageable, but it still taking some getting used to.

What I need is something super peaty but not terribly smokey.  So far, Lagavulin 16 is the closest, and its much smoother and more balanced on the finish.  But the bottles are expensive, and so I'm looking for something similar but cheaper - I am not sure, though, that this exists.

I have not tried the Oban, but heard that it is quite smokey, but not terribly peaty.  This is actually the opposite of my taste preference, but I shall try it anyway.

Can you recommend something very peaty but not too smokey, with a smooth but long lasting finish?

sliver2c - seems like it's just me and you here in M'sia with an interest in fine whisky.

I was back in the states and spending a weekend in Las Vegas and enjoying some Scotch when I thought of you.
So here's a view of the City Center.

Are you Malaysian?  How did you come about enjoying whisky and cigars?
I haven't tried the Balvenie 12 year - but like the Laphroig Quarter Cask, the whisky is moved to a second barrel while it matures, probably imparting some huge sherry and oaky qualities.
Sounds good, but does it have the peat?


Today, I compared a bottle of  10 year with the Quarter Cask.

Despite having a massive, hit by a train buzz, after drinking two singles, and two more double-pours with a tad bit of water, I'm going to log my results while I still can.
This is a comparison test, so the actual palate results will ignore the subtle nuances and go for the strict comparison:

NOSE

Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Much more complex than the 10 yr IMO, but the nose altogether is quite different.  I smell a world of different things such as butter, caramel, oak brown sugar, and a tad bit of rubber.

Laphroaig 10 Year

Massive peat and smoke.  Everything else is pushed down by these two.  Amazing.  I love peat and smoke, but the complexity is simply not there.
PALATE:

Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Starts off very light, but with a good dose of sherry, oak and vanilla which starts "in between" the transition from the palate to the finish.

Laphroaig 10 Year

The texture is amazingly creamier and thicker, but the flavor is not quite as complex.  Not as much of the oak and sherry.
FINISH

Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Wow.  Fiery, and peppery.  Sherry, peat and smoke is everlasting.

Laphroaig 10 Year

Much smoother but incredibly salty.  Like Islay sea salt sprinked on the back of the tongue.  Long lasting peatiness but without as much of the oak flavour as imparted by the Quarter Cask.
DOUBLE POUR W/TEASPOON OF WATER

Both exhibited very similar results.  Definitely stronger on the sherry and oak.  Both smelling A LOT sweeter, but not like fruit sweet, but like Caramel, Honey, Brown Sugar, Toasted Oats and earth sweet.
Yum!
CONCLUSION:

This one is tough.  I don't quite like the saltiness of the 10yr, but I love the substance and texture.  The finish is, interestingly enough, much smoother than the throat and stomach warming Quarter Cask.
The Quarter Cask avoids the saltiness, but I'm not sure if I'm just being punched by the fire that goes down.  The nose is far more complex as would be expected with the double barrel aging process, and yet I cannot detect any substantial bias in flavour as a result of the quarter cask aging.  I do however notice a much more lighter, mellower and perhaps slightly smoother and more complex palate, which is somehow contrasted by that firey finish.

I prefer the Quarter Cask - the flavour is more toward my liking with a heavy dose of the sherry/oak on both the palate and finish.

I think I'll need to go a second round to compare them again.