OMQ
Christmas Edition
The author of Hong Kong’s most famous comic "Old Master Q", is Wang Jiaxi. It began in 1962 within Hong Kong newspapers drawing comics using his first son Wang Ze's name as a pen name. He later changed it to an individual volumes which has become the most recognisable comic from Hong Kong. Using comedy to satirise the shortcomings of human nature, "Old Master Q" immediately struck a cord with locals by capturing the microcosms of life in the city. It was later translated into different languages and exported to countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and India, bringing a slice of Hong Kong's sub-culture to the world.
Mr. Wang died in 2017, and his son, Wang Ze, continues the "Old Master Q" legacy. Legacy is also an important word in the Whisky world, fine whiskies are ageing in cask for years or even decades, passed on from generation to generation.
Hong Kong Whisky launched our inaugural collection on 11 November 2020 and this year there will be 6 new bottles released under two additional series plus a Christmas Special Edition bottle. Every product is made in small batches from selected single casks and each individually numbered bottle would make a perfect Christmas present or addition to a private collection.
HKW “OMQ”
Glen Garioch 2011
Christmas Edition
Distilled: 04.10.2011
Bottled: 18.10.2021
10 Years Old
54%
First Fill Barrel
220 Bottles
HK Whisky Christmas Edition
Glen Garioch 2011
Before the introduction of a new tax system in England 1823, most distilleries were operating without a licence and as a result there were many missing official records. According to some , the oldest distillery is Glenturret built in 1775 but local legend says you should look towards Glen Garioch! Although Glen Garioch was officially founded in 1797, it is not hard to imagine that the distillery's operating history is much older thanks to its location at Oldmeldrum which is known as the best barley producer in Scotland.
Even though Glen Garioch had access to Scotland's best barley, it was forced to stop production because of a lack of water! After finding new owners in 1970, there was an all-out search for a new water source. Three years later the operation was miraculously resuscitated and distilling at larger quantities than before. The distillery is now owned by Suntory which also owns Bowmore. They borrowed Bowmore's thermal recycling system which redistributes heat from the distillation process to a nearby greenhouse to grow juicy tomatoes.
Hong Kong Whisky unearths a legendary Glen Garioch just in time to celebrate Christmas. This arrives as a special edition release after being distilled in 2011 and matured in a first fill barrel for 10 years. Just as OMQ & Big Potato is sharing a merry time on the bottle artwork, this glorious dram will be the perfect companion to keep family & friends warm over Christmas! Limited to 220 bottles only!
OMQ Series II
“Free For Yum Cha?”
HK Whisky Blair Athol 2010
Blair Athol is one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries. Founded in 1798 under its original name Aldour, it shortly closed operations for two plus decades until it reopened in 1826 under its current title.
Blair Athol's name was most likely taken from the village where the distillery is located called “Blair Atholl”. Ownership changed hands many times over the years. Production halted again in 1932 until the end of World War II, and volumes doubled thereafter with an additional pair of distilling pots. Because their whisky is very full bodied, most of the production was used as a base for blended whiskies including Bell's, the UK's best-selling brand. What’s left were typically matured in Sherry casks for 12 years and released as single malts, meaning very few bottles for thirsty consumers.
Our OMQ Series II “Free For Yum Cha?” features such a limited Blair Athol 2010. Matured for 11 years in a specially selected sherry cask, this dram exudes fruity and spice notes that showcases Blair Athol’s unique flavours. We selected an Old Master Q artwork of the three main characters dining over a meal of yum cha, or perhaps a few meals judging by the finished plates under the table!
HKW “OMQ”
Blair Athol 2010
Distilled: 10.02.2010
Bottled: 18.10.2021
11 Years Old
53.8%
Refill Sherry Butt
309 Bottles
HKW “OMQ”
Glen Elgin 2010
Distilled: 24.02.2010
Bottled: 18.10.2021
11 Years Old
54.2%
Refill Sherry Butt
355 Bottles
HK Whisky
Glen Elgin 2010
White Horse blended whisky has been regaining popularity in recent years. But many drinkers might be unaware one of the main components is Glen Elgin, a small distillery situated in Speyside. White Horse was once a top selling blended whisky in Hong Kong and older drinkers may recall adverts from back in the day!
Located in Moray deep within the heart of Speyside, Glen Elgin was completed in 1898 as the last distillery built during the Scotch whisky boom period. In order to be competitive, the distillery designed everything from the ground up. Speyside would have to wait another 60 years for its next new distillery. Glen Elgin was in financial trouble within months of establishment and had to shutter production. Three years later it was auctioned off. It wasn't until the 1930s that Glen Elgin's fruity style became the pillar of White Horse which made this boutique whisky a staple for years to come.
Glen Elgin’s single malt is not easy to find because of its low production levels and mainstream use in blended whiskies. Our OMQ Series II “Free For Yum Cha?” captures the magic in a specially selected Glen Elgin 2010 that was matured for 11 years in a Spanish sherry cask. Notes of sweet honey and fruit evoke sensations of the very best from Speyside whiskies. We chose a comic showing the three protagonists in Old Master Q building relationships with each other while eating and drinking together, which is the perfect setting to enjoy this splendid bottling!
HK Whisky
Tomintoul 2005
omintoul’s backstory is an interesting contradiction. Their distillery began with only a pair of stills yet landed in the Guinness World Record by creating the world’s largest bottle of whisky in 2009 that stands 1.5m high with a capacity of 105.3L. That is enough to hold 150 standard bottles! This amazing feat showed the world they were capable of big things and made Tomintoul a household name in the world of whisky. They were commonly used in a wide variety of blended whiskies but began produce some beautiful single malts too after ownership moved away from Whyte and Mackay in 2000.
Like many distilleries, Tomintoul's name comes from the village where they are located. However, an official government report in 1797 recorded that all 37 families within the town were involved in the whisky trade, unofficially making Tomintoul one big whisky family!
OMQ Series II “Free For Yum Cha?” Tomintoul 2005 is a gorgeous 16 years single barrel matured in a new Spanish oak hogshead. The larger than life character is shown with this cask strength release. The bottle artwork shows a humorous OMQ comic depicting Old Master Q & Big Potato enjoying every Hong Konger’s favourite hotpot with a giant twist!
HKW “OMQ”
Tomintoul 2005
Distilled: 17.05.2005
Bottled: 18.10.2021
16 Years Old
57.9% (Cask Strength)
First Fill Sherry Butt
345 Bottles
Hong Kong Art Series 1：
林雅儀 Zoie Lam
HKW “Hong Kong Art” Caol Ila 2008
Distilled: 10.10.2008
Bottled: 18.10.2021
13 Years Old
58.4% (Cask Strength)
Bourbon Hogshead
300 Bottles
Hong Kong Art
Caol Ila 2008
Strong peaty whiskies has become darlings of the industry in recent years with many drinkers challenging their taste buds with ever increasing ppm. This shift has pushed Islay region whiskies to meteoric heights. Although the region is only the size of four Lantau Islands, it holds 10 distinct distilleries because these peat behemoths are the soul of many blended whiskies. However there is nothing like a smooth peaty Single Malt to bring out complex layers of mind blowing flavours.
Caol Ila est. 1846 is the largest distiller operating on Islay. Owing to the gentleness and light colour of the peat, Caol Ila is a popular base for many blended whiskies in the market. Its owner, Diageo, decided to rebuild the facility in 1972 with the distillery to increasing to three distilling pots to match the insatiable demand from Johnnie Walker blended whiskies.
The HK Art Heroes Series I is our inaugural series to feature the work of a local artist. Each series will showcase a uniquely HK style connecting with overseas cultures that highlights the city's international appeal. Our very first collaboration is with Zoie Lam, a renowned illustrator, fashion designer and stylist. Her creations “ZL by Zlism” broke new grounds in 2010 and her work successfully appeared in exhibitions in London, Berlin, Tokyo and Singapore. Our label features interplanetary inhabitants of Zlism incorporated with iconic local cultural items such as rickshaws and double decker buses, showing the reach of Hong Kong culture has no bounds!
Hong Kong Art
Linkwood 2010
Linkwood is perhaps Scotland's most law-abiding whisky distillery! Before 1823, there was a heavy tax on whisky producers thus many distilleries chose to operate without a licence. Built in 1821, Linkwood did not play around with the rules and only began production after officially registering in 1824. The early distillery had only a pair of small distillates until 1972 when a new distillery was built next to the plant. The old site was renamed Linkwood A and used for R&D while the new plant was called Linkwood B. This lasted until 2012 when the facility was again reconstructed.
Linkwood is easily identified by whisky aficionados for its particularly plump and rounded character which comes from its long fermentation and distillation periods. It has always been a main component of the Johnnie Walker blended whiskies. There are low quantities left for the Linkwood’s original bottling which means even far fewer for independent bottlers to capture this special Speyside spirit.
Our HK Art Heroes Series I presents one of these rare finds in a Linkwood 2010 single malt gently matured in Sherry cask for 11 years. The featured bottle artwork is a collaboration with Zoie Lam, a celebrated local illustrator, fashion designer and stylist. It displays the colourful and happy world of Zlism amongst some of Hong Kong’s famous landmarks. This vibrant whisky will bring out just as much joy for anyone willing to try!
