LuxeBook May 2022

FAVOURITE MOMENTS WITH THEIR WHISKY People from the hospitality industry get candid about their favourite whisky and their preferred way to drink it COMPILED BY SCHENELLE DSOUZA 1. Harry Kosato Brand Ambassador of Sushi & More My favourite whisky is Yamazaki 18 years from Japan. I like to drink it neat followed by a Highball. Favourite whisky memory: On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Establishment of the Diplomatic Relations between Japan and India in 2012, I was invited to the Japanese Ambassador’s residence which was transformed for just one evening into a Suntory Museum for a handful of guests, where we did a whisky tasting and pairing. 2. Hitesh Keswani Owner, Silver Beach Hospitality My go to whiskey is the Macallan 18 and I enjoy drinking it on the rocks. In my opinion that is the best way to enjoy a good whisky. Favourite whisky memory: No memory as such, but my house parties in general, with a close-knit group of friends and my Macallan 18. 3. Ishaan Bahl Co-owner of 145 Cafe & Bar and Khyber Restaurant in Mumbai The Johnnie Walker Platinum Label is my favourite whiskey and I like to drink 60ml of it on the rocks. Favourite Whisky Memory: It was the opening night of 145 Bandra. A couple of Platinum Label drinks on the rocks and I ended up dancing on the bar with my best friend and my father. 4. John Leese Group Beverage Manager - Bastian Hospitality Pvt Ltd. My favourite whiskey is the Auchentoshan 3 Wood. I prefer to drink it neat. It does not need anything. The liquid has it all. Notes of plums, raisins, oranges, a light sweetness, and a long oaky finish. Favourite whisky memory: Standing on the shores of Islay in Scotland whilst visiting the Bowmore Distillery drinking a 50+ year old with Eddie MacAffer. No talking. Just taking in the view and the whisky and putting all the elements together. 5. Keenan Tham Managing Director & Co-founder, Pebble Street Hospitality My favourite whiskey is the Chivas 18 and I enjoy drinking it on a spherical iceball. Favourite whisky memory: This one time I was drinking Chivas 18 on top of a mountain in Switzerland. We had no ice so I drank it with mountain snow. 6. Keith Rajan EAM F&B, The St. Regis, Mumbai My most favourite whisky is the Balvenie single barrel, aged 12 years. I prefer to have it neat and straight up in a nosing or old-fashioned glass. Favourite whisky memory: When I visited the Glendfiddich and Balvenie distiller at Keith, Dufftown. 1 2 3 4 5 44| L U X E B O O K | M AY 2 0 2 2 M AY 2 0 2 2 | L U X E B O O K |45 TIPPLE T ALK