Holiday Time

Why settle for less when you can have it all? If only for an evening, don't you deserve, at least now and again, the bare-hearted best?

Of such simple philosophies, great experiences, places and products are forged, and when by fortuitous alignment of their stars, they converge, then we're really talking 'out of this world'.

A new collaboration between Chivas Regal matured Scotch whisky and Sirocco fine dining roof top restaurant, in which the one accentuates the qualities of the other to create pleasures yet greater than the sum of their parts, offers just such an opportunity to embark on a voyage of discovery to a new level of luxury.

Sirocco is the kind of place that makes highlife mavens of Marxists. Located way above terra firma on the 63rd floor of The Dome at lebua, it's the world's most elevated al fresco restaurant, the most spacious open-air roof top restaurant in Asia, and one of Bangkok's most coveted dining choices. Listed under 'Hot Tables' & 'Hot Night' by Conde Nast Traveler, it never fails to leave one mesmerized with a breathtaking view of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya river, an amazing Skybar and quality Mediterranean fare with ingredients from the world's best markets. Live jazz music featuring vocalists of international repute, add to the captivating ambiance it presents for a perfect evening.

This is a place you go to enjoy the finest food and drink on the planet - oysters, caviar, Wagyu, lobster, truffle.... champagne, brandy, matured malt whisky.

Chivas Regal is the product of a unique place, a proud lineage of whisky makers, and more than two centuries' of history. Discovering this most prestigious of whiskies is a fascinating journey and exquisite pleasure.

Essentially a blended Scotch whisky produced by Chivas Brothers, owned by Pernod Ricard, the Chivas Regal brand's home is Strathisla Distillery in Speyside, Scotland, the oldest operating Highland distillery which was founded in 1786. Chivas Brothers was established not long afterwards, in 1801. Today it is the market-leading Scotch whisky aged 12 years and above in Europe and Asia Pacific.

The Chivas Regal line includes:

Chivas Regal 12 Year Old: Blended from whiskies matured for at least 12 years.

Chivas Regal 18 Year Old: Blended from whiskies matured for at least 18 years.

Chivas Regal 25 Year Old: Created using whiskies aged at least 25 years; available only in limited quantities.

The whiskies tend to perform outstandingly at international spirit ratings competitions with the Chivas Regal 18yr Gold Signature blended whiskey, for example, garnering double gold medals at the 2006 and 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competitions.

Chivalry meets luxury

Now out of this dream team of Chivas Regal and Sirocco emerges "Chivas Modern Legends in Collaboration with Lebua - a legend reborn".

"In fact, our collaboration with Pernod-Ricard is already two years old but now the world is changing and to elevate the experience of our consumers, we are launching a collaboration between Sirocco, the tallest restaurant in the world, and Chivas Regal, the master blender of Scotch whiskies, a partnership of food and beverage that rises to a new level of experience," revealed Deepak Ohri, Chief Executive Officer of lebua Hotels & Resorts, at the Dome State Tower where the restaurant is located.

A special feature of the collaboration is the creation of an original line of chocolates fusing the finest cocoa and Chivas Regal whisky offered exclusively at Sirocco and dubbed Chivas Chocolates at Sirocco, or CCS for short.

"We would like to make a connection between this top venue and our top whisky, so that when people think about Sirocco they automatically think about Chivas and vice-versa," confirmed Pernod Ricard Thailand Managing Director Phanuwat Wongsriphisant.

The promotion also highlights on two whiskies from Chivas Brothers Distillery that are exclusive to Thailand: Royal Salute 100 Cask Whisky and 62 Guns Salute, the most expensive whisky in the world right now. Sirocco also serves Chivas 18 VSOP as the most luxury pouring Scotch, i.e. available by the glass, in the marketplace. That means that Sirocco serves 12-, 18- and 25-year matured Chivas Regal Whisky.

To tell the world about the Legend Reborn, a luxury event was held on November 27 with a highly exclusive guest list of high net worth individuals, celebrities and dignitaries.

"We wanted to heighten the experience of this top venue and created a concept of Modern Legends to rally around," explained Pernod Ricard Thailand Group Product Manager, Aphivich Panya. "Basically Chivas and Sirocco are at the height of luxury but it is not just about luxury - it's about legends; legendary venues and legendary products."

The event was arranged to give those at the top of the social tree the chance to join the celebration and be part of the creation of a unique new legend in the form of an ultra exclusive party with special food, drink and, of course, chocolates.

Guests enjoyed a unique experience of wealth and heritage in an ambiance akin to a Gentleman's Club in 1909 New York City when Chivas 25 was first launched as the first luxury Whisky in the world, a heyday of hedonism and luxury. Exclusive cocktails were sipped over divine dishes and scintillating conversation. World class entertainment included hot Hollywood DJ Samantha Ronson and Motown Records artist, Sybil Thomas and the evening was capped by a dramatic fireworks display launched from the river over which the restaurant looks. Heartthrob Actor Michael Wong was specially invited having been one of the first to represent Chivas's expression of chivalry.

Now that the party is history - or heritage - the good times roll on and it is an especially good opportunity to experience the increasingly widely accepted pleasures of drinking whisky with food. "If you see the latest reports from Luxury Insider in New York, discerning diners who used to insist on wine along with their meals are sometimes changing to whisky which is becoming more central to their lifestyles now," cites Mr. Deepak.

Indeed, a quick scan of the internet reveals a lot of people making strong cases for enjoying whisky with one's gourmet meal.

For instance, seafood dishes go well with sweet, light, vanilla-tinged malts matured in bourbon casks. Cinnamon, ginger, pepper, and star anise provide a spice bridge between food and whisky. Grassy malts are enhanced when a dish contains herbs like tarragon, basil, mint or thyme. Summer fruits such as redcurrants go well with malty, floral Lowland whiskies, while citrus fruits are a good match with peaty Islay malts. Lighter, fruitier whiskies go well with tuna and salmon in sushi and sashimi dishes.

The thing is that a balance always has to be struck between the competing flavours, so that neither the whisky or the dish are allowed to dominate and snuff out the flavours of the other. Complement and enhance is the motto.

And not to worry about drinking too much. Just add water to calm the whisky to an acceptable level with the added advantage that it releases suppressed flavours and aromas.

To mark a ritual, yearly event on November 27 is planned to celebrate the two legends, the world's most exquisite whisky and the world's highest al fresco restaurant and bar, joining together to elevate the lifestyle of Bangkok's elite to unparalleled heights of style and substance.

Further exciting collaborations also under way with Champagne, Wine and Cognac dinner, an exclusive party that goes on all night and day at all venues of Tower Club at lebua.

Tasting is believing, exclusively throughout the Festive Season and beyond, only at Sirocco.

Open daily from 06.00 pm - 01.00 am [18.00 hrs - 01.00 hrs] (Last order at 11.30 pm [23.30 hrs])

* Live jazz band 07.30 pm - 00.00 am daily [19.30 hrs - 24.00 hrs]

* Singer 07.30 pm - 00.00 am daily except Monday [19.30 hrs - 24.00 hrs]

* Smart Casual dress code applies.