Review: Tiffany's New York Bar's Whisky Advent Calendar 2016

Not two days after this advent calendar arrived from Master of Malt, I was kindly offered one of Tiffany's New York Bar's calendars - also a 24 day / 24 drams calendar, containing whiskies from around the world.

Quite a bit bigger and more solid than Master of Malt's, the concept is roughly the same (24 drams, 24 days), this Tiffany's calendar had a few nice little features:

• A branded GlenCairn glass with which to enjoy the 24th and final dram
• A $100HKD voucher to spend at the bar
• A printed list of each day's dram
• Polyseal cone caps on each bottle, which many whisky lovers (myself included) swear by for long-term storage. In fact the bottles are more or less the same as the ones I purchase separately for sample storage, so soon I'll have another 24!
• Available in HK, so no concerns with shipping or taxes for HK-based whisky lovers. 

There were three different variants available, but such is the popularity of these that the $1,388HKD one sold out weeks ago. There are still the $1,788HKD World of Whisky Edition and the $5,888HKD Aficionados Edition available though, so it's not too late to catch up (it's only the 8th after all)!

The calendar I received was a special media edition, with whiskies selected and bottled by attendees at the recent media event (which sadly I couldn't attend). With drams like Michel Couvreur, Michter's Toasted Barrel, Asta Morris Cambus IB, a 36year old Cadenhead (distillery not stated) and even an SMWS Ardmore, there's something in here for everyone - from OBs to IBs, single casks to blends, American to Scottish to Welsh to Japanese.

The commercial releases differ a little, but also feature a fantastic selection of world whiskies, including:

World of Whisky Edition ($1,788HKD)

• Aberlour A'Bunadh
• Glenfiddich 12
• Octomore 7.1 Heavily Peated
• Amrut Single Malt Cs
• Glengoyne Cask Stregnth
• Penderyn Madeira Wood
• Armorik Sherry Finish
• Kavalan Single Malt
• Penderyn Sherry Wood
• Arran The Bothy
• Kilchoman Px
• Pogues
• Auchentoshan Three Wood
• Mackmyra Oak
• Slyrs Px Edition
• Big Peat Festive Edition
• Maker'S Mark
• Springbank 10
• Bruichladdich Port Charlotte
• Mars Komagatake
• Sullivans Cove Double Cask
• Crown Royal
• Michel Couvreur Overaged Malt
• Yamazaki 12

Aficionados Edition ($5,888HKD)

• Bunnahabhain 18
• Linkwood Sherry Butt
• First Edition Fettercairn
• Arran Smuglers
• Old Pulteney 17
• First Edition Glen Grant
• Spring Bank Green 12
• Glendronach 21
• Tomatin 25
• Kavalan Vinho Barrique
• Kavalan Amontillado
• Macallan 25
• Michel Couvreur  Overaged Malt
• Balvenie 21
• Macallan 30
• Glenrothes 1988
• Glenfarclas 25
• Highland Park 30
• Samaroli 99
• Laphroaig 18
• Glengoyne 21
• Aberlour 18
• First Edition Glen Keith
• Bowmore Devils Cask III

Years ago I said these calendars are a great way to explore new whiskies, and I still stand by that - any month of the year! With two calendars to get through, and a holiday in December, I'm not likely to finish all 48 samples by Christmas...but January is looking pretty good!

Tiffany's New York Bar Whisky Advent Calendars are available here and from the bar, and are just one of a number of whisky innovations the bar has come up with this year (others being the HK Whisky Festival, their cask programme, Whisky Mooncakes, whisky truffles, whisky ice cream and the list goes on...). We can't wait to see what 2017 has in store.

TimeforWhisky would like to thank the bar, and the tireless efforts of James, Lars and John for their ongoing hospitality this year, and for this lovely Christmas present.

Cheers,

Martin.