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Check out Manila’s only bar where you may enjoy a variety of fine Japanese spirits, specifically whisky, and some of the island nation’s best dishes.
Who would know that the best single malt whisky in the world in 2014 will be named by whisky expert Jim Murray as Suntory’s Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013? Isn’t that a Japanese whisky? And aren’t Japanese whiskies came into the scene just this last century, nearly 90 years ago? Nevertheless, the new guard isn’t a rookie at all in the playing field as the Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013 is imbued with intense fruity aromas and stunning deep bronze hue and has triumphed over its Scottish cousins that have been reigning the whisky market for centuries.
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LIT celebrated its anniversary with the opening of its first bottle of Ichiro's Malt Houhou Uhi, which was named after the Chinese mythical bird of love. Its exceptional blend combines legendary Hanyu casks, aged 12 and 20 years, with Kawasaki grain whisky, aged between 30 and 35 years. It has an incredible floral aroma, bringing a combination of jasmine and citrus fruits, and has a cognac-like character on the palate, gradually adding flavours of caramel, vanilla, prunes, and rice crackers from the Kawasaki grain. It has a relatively long, pleasant, and refined finish.
Perhaps Japanese whiskies are not yet that as popular in the Philippines compared to the Scottish brands but Francis Hasegawa, owner of Japanese whisky bar LIT, aims to solve this matter and share his passion for Japanese whisky and spirits to the local market.
“Our responsibility is to educate the public on the merits of Japanese spirits, and specifically Japanese whisky,” Hasegawa including the other owners of LIT said. “To do this, we hold three types of classes at LIT on a monthly basis to introduce Japanese whisky to the guests and we also hold quarterly special bottle events, wherein we open several rare vintages or limited editions alongside food pairings. We realized how excited people were about Japanese whisky in particular, and how there was an absence in establishments that specialise in it and so we decided that this was an opportunity we could fill.”
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The cozy unassuming bar in Serendra, which is situated between a bookstore and a Filipino restaurant, somehow depicts distinct Japanese values of humility and simplicity. Using elements of wood and steel for its design and old floor planks for its walls that were charred using a Japanese technique called “sho sugi ban,” LIT’s ambience encourages interaction and discovery between customers and bartenders.
Above Francis Hasegawa (right)
Francis Hasegawa (right)
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Having mentioned bartenders, LIT takes pride in its accommodating staff who could be easily asked anything about Japanese whiskies. “If a client comes in with a mood, or a type of Scotch or Bourbon whisky that they like, or even a type of flavour that they prefer, we are confiedent we can steer you towards a whisky from our collection that will agree with you.”
LIT serves whiskies from all six active Japanese whisky companies with distilleries such as Suntory (the oldest and most famous), Nikka, Kirin, Mars Komagatake, Ichiro’s Malt, and White Oak Akashi, and even Chivas Regal’s Mizunara cask whisky, which is exclusively made for the Japanese market and available for sale only in Japan. Other Japanese offerings include liqueurs, from green tea to sakura, to shochus, sakes, rum, vodka, and beer, as well as Hitachino’s Nest, Asahi, and Sapporo.
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“Over the past several years, the Japanese wave has really caught the Philippines by storm. Lots of crazes—from ramen to tonkatsu—have taken off. This popularity is partly due to Japan being so accessible nowadays for Filipino tourists with the easing up on visa regulations. Many of our partners visited Japan over the last few years and discovered a love for and desire to introduce Japanese products to the Philippines. Since several of us had been in the restaurant and bar industry previously, we thought of a simpler bridge, something that we had experience in already. Hence, Japanese spirits.”
Above Japanese sake
Japanese sake
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G/F Serendra, 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, +63917.510.0014
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About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
