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Time Out
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Inside Bowie, the new Montreal speakeasy hidden in Old Montreal
This new exclusive resto-bar doesn't allow cameras, but I got in. Here's what I experienced—photos included. Sometimes when I'm comfortably seated in a dining room, alternating between watching the other guests (trying to decipher their emotions), admiring the décor, and observing the staff at work while browsing my favourite reading material (the menu!), I wonder just how much the setting and atmosphere can influence the outcome of an evening. The décor, the lighting, the music, the staff's energy and the atmosphere created by the clientele—all of these elements may seem secondary compared to the quality of the food. But if you consider that each guest will likely spend more than half their time taking in their surroundings, it's clear that creating an epic atmosphere that aligns with the restaurant's concept is essential. (Coincidentally or not, the last time I asked myself the same question was after leaving Dorsia last summer, Bowie's impressive sister project from the WITH group: Ayla, Ryu, Livia). Heading downstairs to Bowie, tucked away below Dorsia in Old Montreal, I realised immediately that if the team is trying to raise Montreal's standards of elegance, refinement, service, and guest experience at Dorsia, then this new speakeasy is just as committed to the cause. Pushing the envelope even further by opening only by reservation, enforcing a strict dress code, and banning all cameras, the VIP card is being played loud and clear at Bowie. Whether you're stopping in for an early evening cocktail, settling in for a full meal featuring chef Miles Pundsack-Poe's Asian-inspired cuisine, or wrapping up your night in style with bottle service and guest DJs, Bowie has nailed the art of offering a bespoke experience as soon as you walk through the door. Before diving into the menu (does it live up to the setting?), it's worth making a stop at the cocktail list, created by Louis-Philippe Laforest. Each drink is the result of infusions, evaporations, percolations, dry blends and careful layering. It's a deeply personal and often daring menu, but one that's impeccably executed and leaves little room for interpretation. I'm talking about cocktails like the Smalltown Boy (Johnnie Walker Black Label, dry Zérès, banana, Campari, Laphroaig 10 Year, molé); Golden Years (Reposado tequila, bianco amaro, Lillet Blanc, coffee, palo santo, coconut oil infusion); Diana's (Brown butter Belvedere vodka, champagne, white peach, jasmine green tea, crème de cassis) and Babylon Club (London Dry gin, dry vermouth, chrysanthemum, raspberry, lemon). There's also a handful of martini riffs, like the Cosmo Solway which stood out for me thanks to its perfect balance of Aupale vodka, mandarin liqueur, morello cherry, vanilla, and cherry blossom. But the star of the evening was a brilliant twist on the classic gimlet, blending sea buckthorn with kalamansi gin. Wow! Chef Pundsack-Poe naturally leaned into Asian influences for the food, unsurprising for someone who led Chinese fine dining restaurant Ensue to 19th place on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2022, following a few years at California's now-closed Michelin three-star Meadowood. Between dumplings, shrimp toast, cucumber salad, beef short rib, and a whole deep-fried fish in sweet chili sauce, you'll also find a cheeseburger slider, beef tartare, and fries with Espelette mayo (with the option to top them with fresh truffle). Unlike the drinks, where every sip brought new surprises and had me coming back for more, the food was a more uneven experience—a culinary score that alternated between standout highlights and duller, less defined moments. I craved more bold flavours, more crisp, expertly executed fried items like the fried chicken sandwich. More freshness and acidity, like the cucumber salad with wood ear mushrooms, soy sauce, and chili oil. And more memorable moments like the spectacular short rib glazed with sticky, umami-rich Chinese BBQ sauce. And it's in between these high notes that the supporting cast (the setting, the drinks, the atmosphere) picked up the slack for less successful dishes: a tuna tataki lacking seasoning, an overly oily shrimp toast, or otherwise promising steamed dumplings held back by a bland, watery sauce. With a mix of culinary highs and lows, I suggest ending things on a dazzling note that left me grinning: the mochi doughnuts with apple butter. ⭐️⭐️½ Atmosphere: The vibe evolves as the night goes on, with a DJ setting up around 10 p.m. The acoustics at Bowie deserve praise: despite the lively energy, you can still hear each other speak. What to eat: Small plates perfect for sharing throughout the night (dumplings, beef tartare, tuna tataki, fries), plus heartier options (whole fried fish, Wagyu ribeye, lobster roll). Full kitchen service until 10 p.m., with a reduced menu available until 2 a.m. What to drink: Inventive, carefully crafted cocktails made to be savoured. A few whites and reds are also available by the glass to satisfy any mood. Cocktails are served at the table well into the night, even during bottle service.
Scotsman
19-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Amazon's £18 blended whisky reviewed – is it any good?
At £18 for a litre bottle we didn't expect miracles from Amazon's new Scotch - but we were more than a little surprised | Amazon This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. At the equivalent of £12.60 per bottle, this is probably the cheapest whisky money can buy - but is it any good? Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It might be considered a general rule of thumb that the more you spend on a whisky, the better it tastes. I'm not sure I'd really agree with that. I've tasted £300 single malts I've not been keen on, and some of my favourite drams can cost as little as £30 per bottle. But I think we might be stretching the concept a little to expect much of an £18 blended whisky made, or at least commissioned, by Amazon. And, to clarify, that's £18 for a litre. And, yes, I find that as alarming as you do. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To put that into perspective, one of my favourite mainstream single malts is Penderyn Portwood Edition - it's currently £54.95 on Amazon, which equates to £78.50 per litre. More than £60 more expensive than the own-brand whisky. And even a half-decent supermarket blended whisky, like Johnnie Walker Black Label, costs £49.29 per litre. Even comparing it to the sort of thing friends of mine in my whisky club refer to as "dishwater", The Famous Grouse, it's nearly £4 cheaper per litre. Bottled at 40%, Amazon says it has been matured for three years | Amazon It's fair to say, then, I wasn't expecting miracles when I poured myself a dram from Amazon's 'Special Reserve' that has apparently been "matured in American oak casks for three years". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Firstly, though, a little lesson in blended whisky. Although it's usually cheaper than a single malt whisky, it's not necessarily inferior. That's something of a common myth. A single malt whisky is made from 100% malted barley by one distillery, and it goes through a more time-consuming production process, being aged for at least three years. Blended whisky is more commonly mass-produced and will usually combine malt and grain whiskies to design a unique flavour profile. There will be less influence from a distillery's location in a blended whisky, far less influence from the production methods, and although there is arguably more room for variation and experimentation, cheaper mainstream blends are not considered to be craft whiskies. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And Amazon's own-brand whisky is clearly something mass-produced, and one would assume every corner has been cut to get the price down to the frankly worrying £18 per litre mark. It looks like a whisky, and smells like a whisky, but can it really impress anyone for just £18 per litre? But, here's the funny thing, you wouldn't know it to taste it. From my very first sip, I can't say I was seduced, but I didn't recoil in horror, either. There's no creamy mouthfeel, and you couldn't call it as smooth as a single malt, but served neat, it's really not terrible. In fact, it's really not all that bad. It's sweeter than I expected, with the merest hint of caramel, and maybe a subtle reminder of vanilla. Dried fruits are in the official tasting notes, but I didn't pick that up. The finish is much smoother than you'd expect, with just the slightest rough edge, but not enough to warrant watering it down. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Two drops of water soften it slightly, waking up more of a fruity flavour, but it's far from complex. This is a whisky you can while away an evening with, not having to think too much about what you're drinking, just enjoying it. Yes, I did just say that, I quite enjoyed it. Obviously, it's not a patch on a decent single malt, but it's certainly no worse than some of the better blends out there. And that's a remarkable achievement. This is genuinely a whisky you can sip away at and not find harsh or controversial in flavour. It's not remarkable, but it's not unpalatable either. Of course, it won't suit everyone. If you've never found a mainstream blended whisky to your taste, you probably won't want to punt £18 on this bottle. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But if you're not fussy, if you just like to nurse a dram of an evening and you want to find something that's as drinkable as it is affordable, this is going to be ideal. Even if you buy one and don't like it, it's the sort of whisky you can keep in the back of a cupboard for when that friend comes to stay who always has a bit too much of an evening, and then asks: 'Ooh, shall we have a nightcap'? They won't know it's an £18 bottle, and you won't care. And, of course, you could always mix it. It makes a great base for a cocktail, for example, or if you were to drown it in Coke, you needn't feel bad about adulterating a decent drink. In this day and age everything seems expensive, especially a decent whisky. So to find one that would equate to £12.60 if it came in a 70cl bottle is, just like the drink itself when poured over ice, quite refreshing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Energy bills just went up – but this free tool could save you £388 a year With energy costs rising, Switcheroo helps you find cheaper deals in minutes. It's free, easy to use, and only shows tariffs that beat your current rate from suppliers like British Gas and Octopus. No calls, no pressure – just potential savings, with average users cutting £388 off their annual bill. To read our full article click here, or try out the Switcheroo tool straight away by clicking here.
Scotsman
15-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
22 whiskies for £70 and under to celebrate World Whisky Day - including Glenfiddich and Bowmore
World Whisky Day was set up in 2012 by author and consultant Blair Bowman, who, when he was at university, decided to buy the domain name and set up a website that explored our national drink. Since then it has grown into a global celebration of Scotch whisky, with many brands and bars putting on events and deals in order to explore whisky. With this in mind, we've picked a few of our favourite whiskies to celebrate World Whisky Day with. From new releases to core range expressions, all of these are £50 or under. This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Port of Leith Table whisky, £39.47 Table whisky is the house pour of the Port of Leith Distillery bar, designed to be shared. A single grain whisky distilled in Edinburgh, matured in virgin oak and sherry casks, and blended in Leith. It's delicious, reliable, approachable and rich. It's available from Master of Malt. Click here to buy. Glasgow 1770 The Original, £43.75 The bottling from the distillery that brought single malt whisky distilling back to Glasgow after more than a century, Glasgow 1770 The Original is a dram for any occasion. It has notes of orange marmalade, raisins and sweet butterscotch. Buy it from Master of Malt: click here. Glenfiddich Our Solera Fifteen, £57.50 Never emptied and continuously kept half full of whiskies since 1998, Glenfiddich's Solera vat marked its 25th anniversary in 2024. The Glenfiddich Our Solera Fifteen is one of the Speyside whisky maker's flagship bottlings, and it's a beautifully fruity dram ideal to enjoy in sunny May weather. Available from House of Malt and you can Buy it here. Glen Moray Elgin Classic, £26.50 This is a very drinkable whisky, and is a steal for a single malt. The liquid is aged for an average of seven years in ex-bourbon casks, most of which are first fill, giving it a sweet flavour that'll also appear to those trying whisky for the first time. This distillery is known for its affordable prices and quality drams, and - every so often - very experimental whiskies including a now unavailable cider cask finish and the latest Maple exploration spirit drink (which can't legally be called whisky. For a taste of the classic, and where it all started you can buy from Master of Malt here. Johnnie Walker Black Label, £28.95 Johnnie Walker Black Label is one of the most recognisable blended Scotch whiskies. It is made by bringing together 29+ whiskies to create a sweet and slightly smoky taste that's loved all over the world. Delicious on its own, it also works really well in cocktails and refreshing highballs. Buy it here. Monkey Shoulder, £28.90 The whisky that put blended malts back in fashion and helped bring whisky cocktails into the conversation. Made for cocktails and released in 2000, this really was a whisky ahead of its time - and it has always been a very affordable buy. Made from a mix of three different Speyside Single Malts – Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie – Monkey Shoulder is popularly used in cocktails but is also great enjoyed neat. Or, for a simple tipple, just add ginger ale or soda for a delicious highball. Buy it here. Benriach The Original Ten, £36.90 Delve into a world of flavour with Benriach The Original Ten, encapsulating the signature smooth and multi-layered character of Benriach. A classic combination of casks combined with Benriach's fruity spirit makes for a great tasting and easy-drinking whisky to celebrate. Master blender Dr Rachel Barrie said this whisky is "a more richly flavoured, rounded malt character." Buy it here. Glenglassaugh 12 Years Old, £49.50 This coastal malt has matured in casks overlooking Sandend Bay in the north east of Scotland. Recently named a favourite for whisky drinkers, Glenglassaugh is something of a hidden gem. Making up one third of the brand's newly reimagined portfolio, Glenglassaugh 12 Years Old embodies a harmonious balance of the distillery's signature coastal style; lush, tropical and coastal. Buy it here. The Borders Distillery WS:02 The Long & Short of It, £35 If you've ever been on a distillery tour you'll know that fermentation is an essential part of determining flavour in Scotch Whisky, and in this whisky, this process is at the heart of the liquid. For this second edition of the Workshop Series, the distillers at the Borders Distillery experimented with very short and very long fermentations. Both batches were then distilled twice and matured in first fill ex-bourbon barrels, before being married with single grain. Buy it here. Bowmore 12 year old, £40.50 For those who like bold and punchy flavours, then the Bowmore 12 is an excellent whisky to introduce you to the joys of peat and smoke. Exceptionally drinkable and filled with the iodine flavours of some of the more astringent Islay whiskies (Laphroaig anyone?), the Bowmore's peat level hovers around the middle ground. When mixed with the tropical fruit flavours of the distillery's style, you get a dram that's peaty but well balanced, even for beginners. Buy it here. Nc'nean Organic single malt whisky, £67.94 Nc'nean's Organic Single Malt is the first whisky released to the public by this independent distillery. Organic, made with renewable energy and bottled in the UK's first-ever 100 per cent recycled clear glass bottle, the whisky showcases Nc'nean's commitment to protecting the environment. Nc'nean's whisky is made from organic Scottish barley whose natural yields and rich soils contribute great depth of flavour, and gentle fermentation and distillation accentuate the delicate, fruity flavours in the spirit. The whisky achieves its signature body and sweetness from having been left to mature for three years in selected ex-Bourbon and specially treated STR ex-red wine barrels. Buy it here. Ledaig Sinclair Series Rioja Cask Finish, £40 This is the first release in the Sinclair series, and is a heavily peated dram. Matured in ex-bourbon casks, it has been finished in Spanish Rioja casks. Tasting notes include Turkish delight, candied fruit, grapes, chocolate, almonds and pepper. Buy it here. Glen Scotia double cask, £37.95 A firm favourite of Master Distiller and Distillery Manager, Iain McAlister, Glen Scotia's Double Cask is a wonderful introduction to the distillery style. Rich and spicy, this single malt is matured in first-fill bourbon casks with a 12-month finish in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. It has the classic Campbeltown notes of maritime sea salt spray, apple and pear, with the influence of rich spicy fruit notes from the PX casks. Bottled at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered. Buy it here. Loch Lomond Whiskies Steam & Fire & 'Scorched' book bundle, £50 Steam and Fire has been created using spirit from the distillery's straight neck and more traditional swan neck stills, and has been matured in three different types of American oak casks and finished in heavily charred casks, flamed by Loch Lomond's in-house cooperage. The charring process adds a unique complexity and brings out a strong character of melted brown sugar with notes of orange and dark chocolate, with a rich buttery mouthfeel. Bottled at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered. In 2023, Loch Lomond Whiskies collaborated with renowned open-fire chef Genevieve Taylor to lift the lid on the complex whisky-making process and showcase the influence of charring. For a limited time only, the distiller will be offering a deal on Steam & Fire and Genevieve's latest book 'Scorched', which explores the fascinating science of fire cooking with fish with more than 85 recipes. Buy it here. Noble Rebel Whisky Orchard Burst, £37 Matured in ex-bourbon casks, Orchard Outburst balances crisp, ripe orchard fruits with surprising flavours of crashing salty ocean waves, resulting in an explosion of zest with hints of zingy lemon and lime. This intriguing malt contains whisky distilled with Chardonnay wine yeast, a relatively unusual ingredient in whisky distillation which helps to intensify fruit and citrus flavours in the finished blend Buy it here. Glenmorangie Triple Cask Reserve, £33.50 Toast to Word Whisky Day with a dram of Glenmorangie's new core range expression - Glenmorangie Triple Cask Reserve. Inspired by the natural splendour of the Glenmorangie's Highland home, this whisky has been matured in a combination of classic bourbon casks, new charred oak casks and rye whiskey casks, creating a deep harmony of flavour. With its symphony of fruity aromas and creamy rich tastes, subtly cut through with spice, Glenmorangie Triple Cask Reserve is delicious served neat, on ice or in cocktails. Buy it here. Ardbeg Wee Beastie, £35.25 For over 200 years, Ardbeg has been made on the remote Scottish isle of Islay, and this single-malt showcases the daring, experimental side of the distillery. Aged just 5 years, Wee Beastie is Ardbeg's youngest whisky yet and accentuates the raw power of Islay whisky. Matured in ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks and untamed by age, it boasts intense aromas of cracked black pepper, sappy pine resin, tar and sharp tangs of smoke. It's a monster of a dram and will be loved by those who enjoy a heavily peated whisky. Buy it here. SMWS Wandering Alchemy, £70 Wandering Alchemy is a small-batch blended malt using ingredients from each of the five Scotch whisky-producing regions. The bottling represents a first for the Society, blending whiskies from Speyside, Highlands, Lowlands, Islay, and Campbeltown, resulting in a nostalgic dram with smoky and honey notes. Kai Ivalo, Whisky Director at SMWS, said: 'The 35 casks we have selected for our Whisky Wanderers Festivals 2025 offering this year showcase a diverse range of spirit styles and cask types that embody what the Society is all about. "Each cask has undergone carefully considered additional maturation to enhance complexity, allowing us to explore the full spectrum of Scotch whisky flavours. These expressions reinforce that at SMWS, our 'norm' is off the beaten track - offering unique whiskies that can only be discovered as a member. 'Our theme this year is 'Whisky with a taste for adventure', which is why we are celebrating festivals differently with three unique off the beaten track events. "From foraging in the heart of Speyside to a 33-mile cycle ride of the dramatic Kintyre Peninsula, each event will give our members the chance to experience Scotland's whisky landscape in a whole new light.' Find out more and buy here. Glencadam Reserva PX, £47 Glencadam Reserva PX has been matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks before being expertly married then finished in hand selected Pedro Ximénez Sherry butts sourced from Andalucia, Spain. Bottled at 46% ABV, natural colour and unchillfiltered, the expression offers a perfumed aroma with raspberry and blackcurrant jams and nutmeg, and the complex palate features toffee, caramel, stewed apples, dates, nutmeg, and cinnamon. This expression won the 'Best Highland Single Malt' at The World Whiskies Awards 2024. Buy it here. Craigellachie 13 year old, £52.95 This core range whisky from the Craigellachie distillery, which is rarely open to the public, was one of three released in 2014 and remains a fan favourite. It's a great example of the distillery character - bold, robust and often with hints of sulphur - but there's a fruituness and smoke too. What you'd call a 'chewy' whisky and it's fab in cocktails as it can hold its own against a range of flavours. Buy a bottle here. The Dram Team tasting kit, £35 From the Dram Team, this tasting box is an ideal gift for a whisky lover that's looking to try something new without spending on a full bottle this World Whisky Day. Choose from mixed, peated or unpeated and you'll be sent five 25ml premium Scotch whiskies. The kit also includes a lifetime membership to the subscriber only bottle shop and exclusive personalised whisky recommendations and offers. Once you've tasted the whiskies, you can score them on the Dram Team's website so next time you order, the selection will be more curated. After you've scored the selection from your box, you can buy a full size bottle from the Dram Team's exclusive bottle shop or they can recommend another tasting set for you. Find out more and buy here The Hearach, £64.95 This inaugural whisky from the Isle of Harris Distillers is a great dram to toast World Whisky Day. Blender Shona Macleod says of the taste: 'I get a gentle peat smoke on the first sip which reminds me of island home fires burning when I was growing up. "It comes along with a toasted maltiness. I can also taste homemade apple sauce and smell machair flowers, particularly white clover which springs up on our west coast every summer. "Mixed spices appear, and an old-fashioned sweetness from things like candied ginger, vanilla, and honeycomb. Finally, there's a long, clotted-cream note, mixed with a lasting sense of new leather.' You can buy a bottle here.
Time Out
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
3 Johnnie Walker recipes to unleash your inner World Class bartender
A citrus cocktail with a little drama – in a good way. The sweet-tart zing of blood orange pairs perfectly with the warmth of Johnnie Walker Black Label, which brings subtle vanilla and spice to the party. It's juicy, jammy, and just the right side of sophisticated – great for golden hour catch-ups. Ingredients 50ml Johnnie Walker Black Label Half of blood orange (cut into segments) 15ml vanilla syrup A quarter of lemon Method 1. Muddle the citrus in a shaker, add the whisky and syrup, then shake with ice until chilled. 2. Pour everything into a glass – fruit and all – and top with extra ice if needed. 3. Garnish with a blood orange wheel and prepare for compliments.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Thieves make off with more than $20M in goods after tunneling into jewelry store
A manhunt is underway for a group of drunken thieves who tunneled their way into a downtown Los Angeles jewelry store and made off with more than $20 million worth of goods. The family who runs the store believes that the thieves took weeks to painstakingly bore a hole through the solid brick wall between an abandoned theater next door and Love Jewels in LA's theater district. The suspects broke into the store around 10 p.m. on Sunday. The family didn't realize the robbery had taken place until the following morning when they came to open up. 'They probably went in there every night, slowly dug it until there was enough room for them to get in,' the store owner's son told NBC Los Angeles. In a separate interview with KTLA, the son said he believed at least one member of the group was a professional locksmith because they were able to open one of the safes easily. The family told CBS News that after entering Love Jewels through its back office, the crew managed to disable the video feed of security cameras and bypass alarm systems. The camera's audio feed captured the sound of equipment drilling into the wall. The gang spent up to six hours smashing into display cabinets and pillaging the jewels inside. They also managed to cut into and breach two of the gold safes, which, according to the owners, contained more than $20 million of cash, gold bars, and jewelry. Police have not yet confirmed the figure. The suspects even drank an entire bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky, the owner's son said. 'They cleared out everything,' he added. 'They didn't leave a dollar for us.' 'In the gold business, you reinvest everything, so all our money was what was in the safe.' Camera crews given access to the store recorded the empty shelves, cut-open safes, and dust-covered floors. The owners said it marked the second time that someone had used the vacant building adjacent to Love Jewels to break into their jewelry store. The family, who say they didn't have insurance for the stolen jewelry because it was too expensive, are offering a $100,000 reward for any information about the burglary. The Independent has contacted the LAPD and Love Jewels for more information.
