Scarfes And Scotch: A Walk Through The World Of Scotch Whisky
Scarfes Bar has launched a new unique whisky masterclass
London’s celebrated Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London has launched a luxury whisky masterclass: ‘Scarfes and Scotch: a walk through the world of Scotch whisky’. The unique experience immerses guests in the world of whisky, with quintessential Scarfes twists and tweaks, for a memorable and educational journey through Scotland’s most iconic spirit. Hosted by resident Scot and whisky fanatic Craig Petrie, the interactive session welcomes everyone from whisky beginners to aficionados, with a bespoke experience suited to every level of expertise and knowledge.
Scarfes Bar is home to one of the most impressive whisky collections in the capital, housing over 400 whiskies including unique liquids and releases including rare bottles from ghost distilleries Port Ellen and Brora. The towering Whisky Wall that greets visitors as they enter the bar is bursting with glowing amber liquids from all over the world, putting the spirit front and centre at the luxurious bar.
Visitors to the Whisky Masterclass are invited to explore the cabinet as the first stop on their journey, to discover the diversity of the spirit – all whilst sipping on a delectable whisky cocktail to whet their appetites and get their learning juices flowing. This is followed by a full induction into the world of Scotch whisky, including how it has been made using traditional methods for six centuries and how it has grown from humble beginnings to break national records, with an export value of over £40billion in 2018.
The journey takes off in full as guests learn about the five distinct whisky regions in bonnie Scotland over a traditional and delicious Black Pudding Scotch Egg. An open discussion about how the geography of distilleries can change the taste of liquids and why, begins as guests are transported to their first region with an introduction to Speyside, via a welcome dram of Chivas 18, before heading down to the Lowlands of Campbelltown with an enticing sip of Auchentoshan Three Wood.
From here the voyage continues up to the Highlands with a taster of Macallan 12 Year Old before heading to the final stop arriving on the dramatic coastal island of Islay where guests discover the final smoky drop which remains a secret due to its reputation of dividing opinions. It is here that the second small plate of an open-faced oyster is served, which plays its part in demonstrating how seemingly extreme tastes can be softened depending on the vessel they are drunk from.
As the Gaelic expedition comes to an end, guests are invited to quiz their masters on everything they have learned and offer up their own taste interpretations on their favourite dram of the day. In true Scarfes Bar style, no one leaves empty handed as guests receive a lovingly distilled 50ml bottle of Scarfes own Single Malt whisky to take home. Aged for 15 years, Scarfes Bar whisky is finished in a sherry cask which gives the whisky fruity notes of apricot, pear and raisins, with a touch of vanilla, Christmas spices and almond. The bespoke liquid comes out at a punchy 52.1% abv and allows the explorers to take home a little bit of the bar. The ‘Scarfes and Scotch: a walk through the world of Scotch whisky’ masterclass aims to distil new knowledge to all of its visitors by breaking down whisky’s once stuffy reputation, showcasing its diversity and providing impressive titbits to show off to friends at home and in bars. There is no need to quaich at the thought of ordering whisky ever again!
The ‘Scarfes and Scotch: a walk through the world of Scotch whisky’ masterclass is available to book via Rosewood London’s Reservations team. The tickets are priced at £75 per person, which includes four drams of whisky, a whisky cocktail on arrival and small bites. Please note there is a minimum booking number of two people and maximum booking of ten people per journey. For a group of people looking to perfect their knowledge of whisky in one of London’s most celebrated bars; the whisky masterclass at Scarfes Bar is ideal, offering an understandable insight into the intriguing world of Scotch whisky. Sessions can also be exclusively booked but must be arranged in advance.
