Wine is great… but treating yourself and discovering new spirits is even better! Head to the cellar to find gems that will take your taste buds on a journey around the globe. Michael Otaka, our distinguished sommelier, offers his suggestions.
Japanese Whisky
Founded in 1934, this distillery changed its name several times before becoming Nikka Whisky and establishing itself in Tokyo in 1952. At that time, its whisky already had an excellent reputation because of its exceptional quality. Its founder, Masataka Taketsuru, nicknamed the father of Japanese whisky, dreamed of producing an authentic whisky with the flavours of his country. He succeeded, as the distillery has since won numerous awards, including 10 (!) mentions as ‘World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky’ at the World Whiskies Awards.
On the bistro menu, you can enjoy Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt, a fruity and floral spirit that is silky on the palate with aromas of apple, apricot and vanilla, as well as Nikka From the Barrel, a rich and highly expressive aged whisky made from a blend of over 100 batches of malt and grain whisky.
A Word From Michael
“Nikka is a company that has been around for a very long time. The founder was one of the first Japanese people to go to Scotland to study distilling. This whisky is round and refined on the palate. It has a hint of fruit and a touch of woodiness, all in perfect balance. I suggest drinking it neat, in a glass designed for this purpose. Personally, I add a little water to bring out all the aromas.”
Arak
Have you noticed our varied selection of arak on the drinks menu? This aniseed-flavoured spirit is very common in the culinary cultures of the Eastern Mediterranean. Each country has its own way of making it, with subtle variations in taste. In Lebanon, arak is made from fermented grape must with added aniseed, which gives it a slight taste of black licorice.
Arak is never drunk straight: it’s too strong! The traditional way to drink it is diluted in very cold water. When mixed with water, arak will change appearance and become more milky. This is completely normal!
We can offer you a tasting of several araks from Lebanon, including arak touma, brown arak, arak Ksarak, arak Al Karram (aged in amphorae), arak Château Kefraya and arak Massaya. As it can be difficult to know which one to choose, don’t hesitate to ask our sommelier Michael or another member of our team for advice. They will be able to guide you towards the perfect spirit to accompany your dish.
A Word From Michael
“One that I recommend to everyone is Al Karram. The balance between fruit and aniseed is perfect, well controlled. It is served in a glass with water in a small carafe and ice cubes on the side. It can be sipped all evening and goes very well with the spicy and tomatoey flavours of our dishes. And seafood too, for that matter!”
George Clooney’s Tequila
That’s right! Actor George Clooney has his own brand of tequila and mezcal, spirits made from agave. Casamigos—“the house of friends”—was founded with his friends Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman right in Jalisco, the region where this spirit is produced in Mexico. Made from 100% blue Weber agave, Casamigos tequilas are renowned for their high quality and smooth taste.
On our drinks menu, we have Reposado, which is tequila aged in white oak barrels for at least six months. The result is a spirit with sweet vanilla and butterscotch aromas that is perfect for sipping on its own. Alternatively, you can always make a margarita, the most famous tequila-based cocktail.
A Word From Michael
“When I tasted this product for the first time, blindly, I thought it was very good. Woody, not too strong, with a very apple-like flavour. Our team liked it too! I recommend that people enjoy it neat, on ice.”
Ischia Sapori Liquors
This time, we’re heading to Italy to discover liquors typical of the island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples. This island of wild beauty, set on an extinct volcano, is full of indigenous fruits and herbs that are perfect for creating speciality alcoholic products. The Savastano family produces liquors of unrivalled quality and renowned reputation.
You must try the amaro alla rucola: a bitter liquor made with aragula. More than thirty herbs and spices are used to create this alcohol, the recipe for which is kept secret. On the palate, you will discover aromas of fresh lemon, invigorating aragula and a hint of caramel. It can be drunk as a digestif or to flavour a cocktail, such as the famous spritz. We also have pistachio cream, a liquor that is so smooth and fragrant! Perfect for lovers of pistachios and nut desserts.
A Word From Michael
“The pistachio cream is truly incredible. Made with Italian pistachios, it tastes like pure nuts. No chemical aftertaste! It’s slightly sweet, creamy and rich. We serve it over ice at the end of the meal.”
Has all this made you thirsty? Head to Kóz Bistro soon to discover some thirst-quenching treats.
