When a woman loves whisky
By Jun Kyoung-woo
It is women who created the whisky boom in Seoul.
Single malt whisky bars started off in Hannam-dong and moved over to Cheongdam-dong and have now become one of Seoul’s trendiest venues. Here, we can easily spot stylish women sipping whisky casually at the bar, even on weeknights; and the scene is not at all strange.
And where there are beautiful women, there are men. For this reason, Seoul’s most popular whisky bars are jam-packed on weekends.
Women, who used to enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail, have discovered the charm of single malt whisky, marveling at the heat spreading through their bodies at each sip of the golden spirit. Only five years ago, not many women enjoyed the taste of whisky.
Whisky is cool-headed yet passionate and considered a typical “men’s drink.”
Scottish people categorize whisky based on the ingredients and production method into single malt, single grain, blended, blended malt and blended grain Scotch whisky.
Single malt whisky is made from one type of distilled malt extract, while blended whisky is a mixture of some 50 malt extracts. If a single malt whisky is like an off-the-rack suit from a department store, blended malt whisky compares to custom-made suit from a designer brand.
The character of a single malt whisky is distinct depending on its distillery, which intrigues women who often find fascination in the variety and character of wine.
Single malt is similar to wine _ it has completely different characteristics with regards to where it is produced and by whom.
One can derive characteristics from its production region, like French wine, but in general, single malt whisky can be characterized by sweet scents like honey, vanilla, or fruity scents or smoky scents that recall the smell of antiseptics in a hospital.
The color also varies depending on the oak cask or barrel used. The standard of a good whisky, like wine, is determined by scent, taste, color, finish and most importantly, balance.
The major producers of whisky are Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Canada and Japan; but Scotland and Japan are key players in the single malt market.
Because of limited supply, single malt whisky is expensive, so most tend to savor its taste by sipping small amounts from a beautiful glass.
Many claim that women’s love of single malt was a counter move in resisting “drink bombs” made of mixed liquor and beer.
Single malt whisky was introduced in Korea in the 1990s, but at the time, it did not enjoy a significant presence in the liquor market.
The single malt whisky culture began around 2010 when some whisky enthusiasts, mostly the younger generation who spent a good portion of their lives overseas, started drinking the liquor to distinguish themselves from the older generation of bomb drinkers.
The method of drinking single malt whisky differs by person but the decisive difference is the glass. Some people prefer to drink in a straight glass, while others use a tasting glass that resembles a tulip, a rock or a highball glass.
The slimmer the lip of the glass, the better you can determine the different characteristics of whisky.
Single malt whiskies can be enjoyed as cocktails and can also be fantastically paired with diverse types of dishes.
Having read to this point, readers should be craving for a drink by now. So then, where should we go to for a drink?
Where foreigners can go are bars at top-notch hotels. The Shilla boasts a collection that houses hundreds of whisky types, as Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee who owns the hotel has shown a particular interest in single malt whiskies. “The Library,” located on the first floor of the hotel, houses not only the top import brands but is where you can find the rarest of whiskies which cost tens of millions of won per bottle.
The “37 Bar,” located on the 37th floor of the Conrad Seoul, is a favorite among stock brokers working in Yeouido. The bar doesn’t house a huge variety, but the spectacular view that the high-rise building provides is a form of compensation.
The “Terrace Baron” at the “Glam Lounge” in Itaewon is a private place separated from the main bar. The bar’s outdoor terrace is perfect for a drink during spring and autumn.
For a deeper whisky experience, visit “Vault 82” or “Speakeasy Mortar” in Hannam-dong, or hit the newly established “Vault 82” or “Le Chamber” in Cheongdam-dong for a lighter, trendier mood. “Lupin” in Cheongdam-dong brags a more feminine ambience whereas “Coffee Bar K” in both Cheongdam-dong and Hannam-dong is more classic.
When going for a drink, it’s important to find a place that suits you best because no matter how great the drink is, it won’t be enjoyable in an uncomfortable atmosphere. What are more important than the drink are the bartender and the person sitting with you at the bar.
Jun Kyoung-woo is an assistant editor at Sports World, a local sports daily. He co-authored “Dining in Seoul,” which is a compilation of information on food culture, trends, history and how and where to enjoy 1,000 different dishes from 13 countries in Seoul. He is also an avid drinker and single malt whisky enthusiast who goes out for a drink three to four days a week.