The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong presents a month-long pairing menu that elevates both food and whisky to heady heights
Good things are rarely handed to us on a plate, or so we’re told from a young age. This month, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong proves otherwise as they partner up with The Glenrothes for the first time to present The Hidden Menu—a four-course single malt whisky pairing dinner taking place at Ozone that has been curated by the hotel’s executive chef, Peter Find.
The menu is a tribute to the spirit of The Glenrothes, a self-confessed, under-the-radar Speyside distillery that’s been mastering the art of whisky-making since 1879. While the estate may have escaped the attention of the masses, its exceptional expressions are often found at the topping the lists of many a whisky connoisseur.
Among those in the know, The Glenrothes is recognised for its unusually slow distillation, which is credited with providing a lighter, fruitier and more delicate spirit. Using only the freshest spring water from its own Highland source, the brand distils and casks on its estate, favouring the use of sherry-seasoned casks to deliver a richly rounded flavour and wholly natural colour. This timeless commitment to quality, undeterred by commercial necessity, is what makes The Glenrothes a hidden gem in the world of whisky, coveted by those who care to seek it out.
Back at Ozone, dinner begins with the glimpse of amber welcome cocktail to prime the taste buds. This pre-prandial concoction of caramelised banana puree and banana liqueur infused with vanilla pods accentuates the same flavours in The Glenrothes 12-Year-Old, while its long, sweet finish gives way to notes of melon and cinnamon—a suggestion of what’s to come.
