Boutique whisky producer and proprietor, 56 Degrees Marketing Sdn Bhd (“56 Degrees Marketing”) today launched its core expression, a blended Scotch whisky, FIFTYSIX DEGREES, at a media and guests-exclusive event at Marble 8 Restaurant and Privé, Kuala Lumpur.
Inspired by a sense of adventure, and borne out of fire, malt, water and the indomitable spirit of the Scottish Highlands, FIFTYSIX DEGREES is a smooth and rich new-age blend comprising of specially selected single malts and a single grain whisky aged in handpicked American bourbon oak casks and finished in sherry casks.
This new liquid gold offering is a collaboration between Malaysia’s first female whisky blend creator and entrepreneur, Kristine Goh, chief executive officer of 56 Degrees Marketing, and internationally renowned independent Scotch Whisky company, Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd. Established in 1933, Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd is now into its third generation of whisky making. Among its portfolio are the Glengoyne, Isle of Skye and Tamdhu Scotch whiskies.
FIFTYSIX DEGREES is named after the latitude of the Scottish Highlands, which is wellknown for its rugged beauty, clan history, and exceptional malt whiskies. FIFTYSIX DEGREES is at heart a Highland whisky, but blended with the Asian palate in mind. “The food culture in Asia is generally rooted in the mixing of multiple ingredients to produce dishes of vastly differing flavors. As such, the Asian table is often loaded with an barray of food and condiments to be shared among a group of people,” Goh commented during the launch of her boutique craft.
“I want FIFTYSIX DEGREES to reflect this almost communal aspect of the food experience in Asia. The best feature of FIFTYSIX DEGREES is that it can appeal to both whisky aficionados and novices,” said Goh.
Goh is confident that FIFTYSIX DEGREES will be well-received here in Malaysia. Jonathan Scott, a senior representative of Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd, took the guests through the nosing and tasting of FIFTYSIX DEGREES. Sprightly yet mature in character, this new blend strikes a lovely balance of top citrus notes with a rich malty heart, and bears a fresh and creamy palate with a mouth coating fruitiness developing with time.
The FIFTYSIX DEGREES bottle design incorporates a sturdy rectangular base to represent the relevance of the whisky making tradition to the present, and a streamlined angularity to signify a broadening out towards the future.
FIFTYSIX DEGREES is a 40% ABV (alcohol by volume) whisky, at present available ontrade through bars and restaurants in the Bangsar, Damansara and Hartamas area including The Roulette Restaurant Bar, Naughty Nuri’s, Piggy Tail, Sid’s Pub, Chapter One Bar & Bistro, Hour Place Restaurant, Eight Gourmets Gala (EGG), and Castell Gastrobar.