WHEN HERITAGE MEETS GASTRONOMY

The XR 21 Mastery Series heads up no h, for an experiential journey that blends history with food and exquisite Scotch whisky

IF THERE IS one guarantee in the world of Scotch whiskies ‒ that would be that John Walker & Sons really know how to make an impression. That statement holds true in producing sublime Scotch whiskies and their signature events like the Mastery series.

That was proven in impeccable form in 2017 with the XR 21 Mastery held at the Khoo Kongsi, Penang. The multisensory experience was one for the books as it brought together the worlds of culture, food and Scotch whisky in an evening of revelry. Most importantly, the event advocated the gastronomical wonders and rich heritage our beloved-country Malaysia has to offer.

Staying true to form, John Walker & Sons delivered a stunning follow-up to that event, once again returning to the Pearl of the Orient a year later. In late 2018, we found ourselves celebrating the memoirs of Penang, for its annual XR 21 Mastery series. And once more, John Walker & Sons showcased the best Malaysian cuisine and ancestry, coupled with the exceptional flavours and craft of fine blended Scotch whisky.

A WALK THROUGH HISTORY

With heritage and cuisine serving as the main pillars for the XR 21 Mastery, the event was fittingly in Penang, a state rich in history and also considered by many as the food capital of Malaysia. The Pearl of the Orient would again provide a fitting backdrop to the theme of the event as John Walker &

Sons took guests on an eye opening journey celebrating rich Penang heritage and cuisine. Pulling up to the Colonial Penang Museum, we were greeted by a magnificent dome structure, which would prove to be the venue for this experiential event. Nestled in the leafy corner of Pulau Tikus, the Colonial Penang Museum was ideally suited to host the third edition of the XR 21 Mastery due to its vast historical significance.

Rated as one of the Top 10 Museums in Malaysia by Trip Advisor, the museum is home to some of the oldest artworks in the country, some over 100 years old, standing testament to the over-pouring history which the state has painted for itself. As part of the festivities for the evening, guests were taken on a personal guided tour of the museum, which served as a perfect warm-up to the event.

FLAVOUR & FESTIVITY

Upon stepping into the dome housed on the grounds of the museum, guests were immediately swept away on a journey of pure gastronomical delight. As Penang is renowned for its tasty street food, the XR 21

Mastery took that acclaim to heart with an eclectic 7-course dinner, which celebrated some of the island’s best dishes and cuisines.

Handcrafted by Penang’s most-loved street food legacy holders and reputable chefs to showcase authentic Chinese heritage and craft, each dish arrived beautifully presented with rich flavours to match. With skills that were passed down from their ancestors, these street food vendors who have been serving the local community in Penang for decades, delighted the taste buds of many at the XR 21 Mastery with their most sought after savoury delights, plated to perfection by renowned chefs.

Each dish, ranging from Pegaga Salad to White Curry Mee and Nasi Lemak and traditional Nyonya Kuih were meticulously handmade to exude rich flavours. Similar attributes no doubt compared to John Walker & Sons XR 21, which itself is crafted through an extremely rare three-stage blending

“PULLING UP TO THE COLONIAL PENANG MUSEUM, WE WERE GREETED BY A MAGNIFICENT DOME STRUCTURE, WHICH WOULD PROVE TO BE THE VENUE FOR THIS EXPERIENTIAL EVENT”

method reserved for its most exclusive whiskies. Paired alongside these dishes, the intriguing layers of intensity in the whisky blend that are both surprising and delightful were surfaced, creating an enchanting experience on the palate.

Alongside the great dishes which were created from a time-honoured process, guests were immersed in a night of rich history, surrounded by artefacts such as handmade sculptures, Balinese wood and paintings from the 19th and 20th century. The Western art pieces in the museum brought in by Chinese trade merchants back in the 18th to 20th centuries, enabled guests to engage in the vibrant stories of yesteryear, accompanied by the exceptionally rich and smooth craft of John Walker & Sons XR 21.

With great food, along with an insight to history and heritage, all complimented by one of the world’s most impeccable blended Scotch whiskies, the XR 21 Mastery, undoubtedly served up a true feast for the senses. AM