The wizards of whiskey

GLENLIVET, the single malt that started it all, last week hosted a sophisticated mingling experience for Bangkok devotees, a posh dinner for its roster of “Guardians Founding Members” – 15 local movers and shakers who lead inspiring lifestyles.

The foremost purveyors of the gentlemanly tradition of drinking single-malt whiskey, Glenlivet’s distillers chose the 15 connoisseur-“role models” to promote another tradition, that of mingling. 

On hand for the occasion were realtor and car-racing enthusiast Kittipol Pramoj Na Ayudhya; Carson socks heir and music lover Chalermpong Srirojanant; auto-parts trader Charak Trangadisaikul; Energy Ministry official and former national rugby player Veerapat Kiatfuengfoo; Goungkiet Vienravi, who co-founded the media company Inspire; and Anilin Buranasiri of the fashion empire Pacifica Elements. 

The setting was Gossip on Thonglor Soi 15, which proved to be a warm and cosy rendezvous with carved wooden nameplates holding the seats for the 15 honoured members. The Guardians were formally presented with privileges |such as free admission to the Glenlivet whiskey school in England and the chance to |host private parties. 

Gossip’s French chef, Julien Lavigne, prepared an astonishing banquet of smoky tuna, puff pastry with truffle and stilton cheese, roasted duck breast with liquorice jus, and chocolate and caramel. 

The meal was complemented with the Glenlivet 15 and 18, as well as the Glenlivet Guardians’ Chapter Limited Edition Single Malt, selected by Guardians around the world. 

It was another remarkable evening in a history that dates back to 1824, when George Smith bucked the illegal whiskey distilling predominant in Scotland at the time – even firing pistols in self-defence on more than one occasion. 

Armed as well with a distiller’s licence of his own, Smith began producing premium-quality single-malt whiskey under the name The Glenlivet. 

What followed has since been dubbed the golden era of whiskey production, with Speyside, Scotland’s whiskey capital, earning global attention. 

The Glenlivet continues to produce high-quality whiskey while ensuring that all new products reflect the spirit’s originality. 

The best-selling single malt Scotch whiskey in the US and the winner of gold medals from various institutions, the spirit can claim among its fans such connoisseurs as Britain’s Prince Charles, singer Frank Sinatra, actor Robert Taylor and basketball star Michael Jordan.