malt follows me

been going past this place outside my office in jakarta and was wondering why it had a sign that simply said malt.
it became clear last night. the lights was on, there was a single girl inside and so, i dropped by.
turns out that malt is a bar and resto, thats restaurant in indonesian parlance. and guess what, they serve single malts. posters of lagavulin, oban and other familiar brands draped the walls around a cosy island bar filled with fine chairs and candle lights.
but no drinks were available last night. and i did not bring along my camera.
but there is a special open night tonight. single malt - either highland park 16 years old or a glenmorangie quinta ruban - together with a partagas cigar for rp375,000++.
pricey.
but i'll be there. at malt. no 2, jalan haji agus salim, jakarta.
tongue ready. camera ready.
and a whole lotta other things to update about.
cheers.

oban and olympics

did you get to see the beijing olympic games opening ceremony last night? wasn't it impressive?
i thought it was out of a kungfu movie considering it was directed by film-maker zhang yimou.
was at a friend's place in singapore and we watched the ceremony on high-definition television. definitely the best way to watch the ethereal and entrancing launch with the multitude of fireworks lighting and fogging the skies above the middle kingdom.
anyway, the ceremony reminded me of the oban distillers edition single malt 1991. fourteen years of fragrant sweetness and saltiness in a dram.
the 43 percent alcohol by volume single malt is honey gold in colour - casked in montilla sherry casks - with a palate that is smooth and redolent of nuts, spice, chocolate and hints of tobacco.
it leaves a lingering briney peaty finish suitable for nights by the log fire at a library leafing through old journals reminiscing tales of yore. something like the olympics and its tale of 5,000 years of china.
a remarkable single malt for moments of your life.
by the way, it was awarded a gold medal at the international wines and spirits competition in 2002. so yes, go get some if you can.