What Went Down at the Suntory World Whisky Ao Tasting at The Tatler Bar

The intimate session was hosted by brand ambassador Andrew Pang and featured Suntory’s latest expression, Suntory World Whisky Ao

Last Friday, The Tatler Bar hosted an intimate Suntory World Whisky Ao tasting session for our whisky-loving Tatler friends. Led by regional brand ambassador of House of Suntory, Andrew Pang, the session gave an insight into the creation of the newest hybrid whisky and the best way to savour it.

House of Suntory’s first-ever globally blended whisky, the Suntory World Whisky Ao is a beautiful combination of expressions from its distilleries in Japan, USA, Scotland, Canada and Ireland. The result is a uniquely balanced blend that is elegant and deep.

Above Suntory World Whisky Ao

When it comes to notes and flavours of the whisky, Pang shared that it’s important to “find our own personal experience”.

That said, the session began by engaging our various senses, with the first being sight. Holding the glass against the light, we were able to admire the beautiful golden brown expression.

We were encouraged to take a light sniff of the spirit, allowing our senses to get used to the aroma. We were impressed by the range of notes on the nose, from creamy sweetness to pineapple-like fruitiness.

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Before the first sip, Pang shared more about his interpretation of the complex whisky. “The first sip feels integrated, but after a few minutes, layers start to appear… The expression can turn from an Irish-style bourbon to a Japanese one,” he explains.

Above Suntory World Whisky Ao is a blend of whiskies from Suntory's different distilleries

As we had our first taste, we were told that the different flavour profiles were the characteristics of different distilleries. For example, flavours of smokiness and cinnamon-like spiciness were the signature style of Scottish distilleries (Ardmore and Glen Garioch distillery), while bright vanilla aromas hail from American distillery, Jim Beam.

Pang also explained that a few drops of water can also change its flavours—on its own, it boasts rich aromas and full-bodied flavours, while the addition of water brings out the Scotch’s sweetness and smokiness.

That evening, we savoured the expression while tucking into JW Marriot’s festive high tea spread of freshly baked scones, juicy lobster rolls, and chestnut cherry tarts. While savouring the bite-sized treats, we also had a chance to note how different foods altered the flavours of the complex spirit.

Scroll through the gallery below to find out what went down at the tasting session: