A TICKET TO TOKYO: RYAN NIGHTINGALE IS CROWNED HONG KONG’S CHIVAS MASTERS CHAMPION 2017

Top bartender earns place to compete in the Chivas Masters Global Final in Japan

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, has announced Ryan Nightingale from Aberdeen Street Social in Hong Kong as the national champion of the Hong Kong 2017 Chivas Masters cocktail competition. 

Overcoming fierce competition from over 8 entrants Nightingale impressed the prestigious panel of judges, which included Serhan Kusaksizoglu, Director of Corporate Project – Bar and Concepts at Shangri-la Hotels and Resorts; Agung Prabowo, Beverage Manager Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong; Masahiki Endo, Bartender-In-Chief of Mizunara: The Library; Maximilian Warner, International Brand Ambassador of Chivas; Frantz Hotton, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Hong Kong and Macau, with his signature cocktails.

With Top Up, Nightingale revisited a Classic cocktail from New York, where Chivas Regal was first launched in 1909. Noble Bean showcased Hong Kong’s local flavours, while Moshi Moshi explored the celebrated traditions of Tokyo’s bartending scene, which is renowned for its extraordinary craftsmanship, kind service and precision. The resulting three serves epitomised the international appeal of Chivas Regal.

Ryan Nightingale will be invited to spend an immersive week in Tokyo in July 2017 with fellow contestants at the Chivas Masters Global Final, where the distinguished panel of judges - all internationally acclaimed bartenders - will share some of their insights and expertise through inspirational masterclasses. Throughout a week of individual and team challenges, Nightingale will be judged on his bartending talent, but – crucially – will also need to prove his ability to work collaboratively with an international bartending team, and inspire others to achieve shared success, through the Chivas Masters Collective team challenge. Announced on Thursday 6th July, the 2017 Global Chivas Master will win the opportunity to travel to an iconic bar in the city of their choice, to work alongside some of the world’s most influential bartenders.

The first opportunity for Hong Kong to taste Nightingale’s winning cocktail is at the 2nd Hong Kong Whisky Festival, Saturday 4 March (InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong). He will be behind Chivas’s pop up bar at the festival and will be serving his Noble Bean cocktail. The alfresco Chivas Bar, crafted completely of ice, will provide an excellent atmosphere to match Chivas whiskies with cigars and oysters and will host a new Chivas expression, Chivas Ultis, the first blended malt in the brand’s history and a vatting of five Speyside single malts.

During the month of March, whisky lovers are encouraged to try a selection of finalist cocktails at prestigious bars around Hong Kong. Meet the master, Ryan Nightingale at Aberdeen Street Social to enjoy his award-winning Noble Bean (HK$110 + 10%), and head to Alibi in the Cordis Hotel to try Leo Cheung’s Yum-Cha Regal with BBQ Pork (HK$168 + 10%). In addition, whisky enthusiasts can embark on a Journey Through Aberdeen (HK$TBC + 10%), as they taste the innovative rendition of the classic Rob Roy by Max Umang of Artesian at the Langham. For those looking for a marriage of interesting flavours, head to the Tiffany Bar in the Intercontinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong to savour The Blended Prince ($TBC + 10%) created by Elton Sherchan.

Future Chivas pop-up bars will be announced on the local Chivas Facebook page.

HAVE A VERY SPIRITED HOLIDAY SEASON WITH: ABSOLUT VODKA, ABSOLUT ELYX, G.H. MUMM CHAMPAGNE, AND CHIVAS REGAL

Absolut Vodka, Absolut Elyx, G.H. Mumm Champagne, and Chivas Regal are providing the perfect gifts for partiers, luxury-seekers, risk-takers, and difference-makers

 This holiday season, new bottles from Absolut Vodka, Absolut Elyx, G.H. Mumm Champagne, and Chivas Regal are helping holiday-shoppers to cross names off their holiday shopping lists quicker than ever.

Absolut Vodka

Absolut introduces its latest limited edition bottle, Absolut Facet, a blue bottle featuring an asymmetrical design. The round edges of the Facet bottle have been cut into like a gem, creating a number of faces that catch the light in unique ways, symbolizing the many directions #AbsolutNights can take you. The aesthetic is reminiscent of spontaneous moments of nightlife magic, highlighting that the best nights happen out of the blue Absolut Facet is available with a free Absolut limited edition speaker at 7-11 (listed at HK$180)

Absolut Elyx

For the luxury-lovers, Absolut Elyx, bathed in its rustically elegant copper bottle, is a gift that is sure to please. Absolut Elyx is the world’s first vodka created specifically for sipping, and is the result of manual processes, authentic craftsmanship, and human supervision through every detail of production. This silky-smooth vodka is a unique combination of traditional handcraft, copper distillation and cutting-edge design. The copper naturally catalyzes trace compounds in the spirit, purifying the vodka and adding a highly prized silky texture and taste. Crafted from single-estate wheat, from seed to bottle everything is done within a 15-mile radius of the distillery in Ahus, Sweden; this ensures quality control and perfection in every detail. Absolut Elyx is available  from Watson’s Wine (listed at HK$458)

G.H. MUMM Champagne

In the spirit of celebration that has become its hallmark, G.H. Mumm Champagne has commissioned multi-award-winning designer Ross Lovegrove to design their most revolutionary bottle yet, Mumm Grand Cordon. Unveiled in Hong Kong in conjunction with the FIA Formula E Championship, the Mumm Grand Cordon bottle has no front label – instead, the G.H. Mumm signature and eagle emblem are printed in gold directly on the glass. The bottle is a reinterpretation of the famous Cordon Rouge red sash, which is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year. On Mumm Grand Cordon, the red sash is transformed into a genuine red ribbon, which is actually indented in the glass. The revolutionary new bottle is available at Watson’s Wine and Cuvees.com (listed at HK$438)

 Chivas Regal

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, has partnered with premium audio producers LSTN Sound Co., to craft unique whisky and music accessories to celebrate their shared passion for craftsmanship, style and generosity. The initiative – Generosity: Amplified – features a range of activity aimed to raise funds for Starkey Hearing Foundation, including an innovative limited edition Chivas 12 Year Old gift tin. The creative partnershiip between Chivas and LSTN Sound Co. has seen the creation of a limited-edition gift tin to house premium Scotch whisky Chivas 12 Year Old. Inspired by sound, and featuring images of deconstructed headphones the gift tin has been designed to create disruptive on-shelf presence with a new square-to-round shape.  Both Chivas and LSTN Sound Co. recognise the growing desire amongst modern gentlemen to seek authenticity and depth in both their lifestyle choices and purchase decisions, so a percentage of the profit from limited edition gift tin will be donated to Starkey Hearing Foundation - a pioneering charity that has provided more than 1.8 million hearing aids and care to people in need in the last 30 years. It is estimated that the partnership will give around 15,000 people the gift of hearing. The limited edition LISTN gift tin will be available at Wellcome and Marketplace by Jason’s (listed at HK$428)

$1 MILLION GLOBAL STARTUP COMPETITION LAUNCHES: HONG KONG RENEWS QUEST FOR ITS MOST DRIVEN CHANGE-MAKER

Research reveals generation looking to businesses to solve world’s problems

Hong Kong, 13 September 2016: Today Chivas Regal has launched the third year of The Venture, a global search to find and support the next generation of startups that want to succeed whilst making a positive impact on the lives of others. Since Chivas The Venture first launched (2014) over 3,500 social enterprises have applied for the chance to receive a share of the annual $1 million fund. This year, 32 countries across 6 continents are taking part; only the most promising from each country will be selected as a global finalist for the chance to take part in an Accelerator Week programme and travel to the USA for Chivas The Venture final event in July 2017. This is Hong Kong’s third year participating in The Venture, with last year seeing Xania Wong of Jobdoh to the top 12 of the global finals in NYC.

The launch of Chivas The Venture comes off the back of a global report that revealed 95% of young professionals are looking for businesses to take more responsibility in solving global problems*. These findings are further supported by a global survey that confirms people (77%) see big business as the number one driver of positive change for the future**. The survey – that questioned a total of 11,349 people across 10 countries around the world – also found that education (70%) was also considered an important sector when it came to changing the world for the better**.

Chivas The Venture is open to any for-profit-startup that creates both financial value and a positive impact on the lives of others. Last year’s competition saw five Grand Finalists pitch to a panel of judges that included, Eva Longoria, Sonal Shah, Joe Huff and Alexandre Ricard in New York City. Conceptos Plásticos, a Colombian social startup that transforms plastic waste into building materials for vulnerable communities was awarded the largest contribution from The Venture fund, receiving $300,000.

The application period in Hong Kong is open until 20 November. This year, the local judging panel includes: Patricia Dwyer (Founder + Director The Purpose Business), Ming Wong (Founder + CEO Asia Community Ventures + Giinseng), Leong Cheung (Co-founder + Chairman RunOurCity), Jennifer Liu (Founder + CEO Sir Hudson International [The Coffee Academics]), and Frantz Hotton (Managing Director Pernod Ricard Hong Kong and Macau).

At the 13 September Hong Kong launch event, Dan MacCombie, co-founder of, RUNA, spoke about his journey towards successful social entrepreneurship. Runa is a New York based social enterprise that has introduced the world to clean energy drinks, helped the people of the Amazon, and captured the attention of investors such as Channing Tatum and Leonardo DiCaprio. 

Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Hong Kong and Macau, Frantz Hotton commented on Hong Kong’s participation in The Venture:

"It’s been inspiring to see the evolution of the Social Enterprise scene in Hong Kong. The growth in quality and quantity of applicants is a true testament to the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit of our city. Last year we had 22 high quality applicants, striving to solve some of the city’s most pressing issues. This year we expect an even larger increase.”

Hong Kong’s 2016 The Venture Finalist and Founder of JobDoh, Xania Wong commented on her experience with The Venture:

"The Venture was an unforgettable and an incredible experience to propel both my personal and professional growth. I was honored and inspired to meet so many talented and socially conscious entrepreneurs passionate about building a better world! With the newly honed knowledge and network, I strive to build a bigger and better business that creates scalable social impact.”

Chivas The Venture inspires social entrepreneurs and those seeking positive change from around the world to pursue their ambitions and realise their potential. The recent global survey revealed over two-thirds of people (69%) would like to work for a business that has a social conscience**.

Founding Executive Director, Beeck Center For Social Impact & Innovation, Sonal Shah commented on the research:

"The results from the Chivas research highlight a number of trends that have surfaced in our work here at the Beeck Center. It shows that Millennials and Gen Z are hungry, motivated and inspired to positively impact the world. Second, young people believe that business also has a social responsibility not just government. As the world continues to become increasingly networked and collaborative, we have an opportunity to shape it - building cross-sector solutions to our most pressing social and environmental challenges."

Richard Black, Chivas Regal Global Brand Director, commented:

“Promoting business as a force for good is a priority for Chivas Regal. There is a clear and growing desire around the world for change; people want to support and associate themselves with companies that are doing more than just making money. Since its launch in 2014, The Venture has already given $2m of funding to aspiring businesses from Chile to Japan, and impacted over 200,000 lives. We are excited to be able to pledge another $1m this year to help the next generation of global entrepreneurs make a difference.”

Chivas Regal is a global leading super premium whisky with a combination of entrepreneurial thinking and generosity at its heart. Chivas The Venture is inspired by the founding brothers, James and John Chivas, who realised early on that success is much richer when we share it with others. To apply for Chivas The Venture or find out about the impact the competition is already making across the world visit www.theventure.com.

JOBDOH IS ANNOUNCED AS A GLOBAL FINALIST OF CHIVAS REGAL’S THE VENTURE

A SEARCH FOR THE WORLD’S MOST PROMISING SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS

JOBDOH has been selected as one of 28 startups from across the world to be a finalist for The Venture, Chivas Regal’s global search to find and support the most promising social entrepreneurs who aim to succeed in business, whilst having a positive impact on the lives of others.

JOBDOH has been chosen to represent Hong Kong in the upcoming final of The Venture. Xania Wong, co-founder of JOBDOH will travel to New York City in July to compete for a share of The Venture’s US$1 million fund. The 28 global finalists will have a chance to pitch in front of an expert panel of judges who are looking for businesses that can offer scalable and sustainable solutions to real world issues.

JOBDOH, a smart data-driven booking platform for temporary workers, connects and matches employers to temp staff anytime, anywhere. With a location based and smart screening mechanism, JOBDOH's record in getting the right candidate from job posting to the work premise is under 1.5 hours. While employers can enjoy both speed and quality, workers benefit from flexibility to earn an income quickly and an improved upward mobility by recording and showcasing their track record directly in the app.

Frantz Hotton, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Hong Kong and Macau said: “This year we had 22 applicants for The Venture in Hong Kong. The competition was tough as there are so many industrious local social entrepreneurs making great changes. In the end, we chose JOBDOH to represent Hong Kong at the global finals because of their potential to make a positive global impact on underemployment.”

Xania Wong said: “I am so excited to move on to the next stage of Chivas Regal’s The Venture. This platform and support will help me to expand JOBDOH and better improve the livelihood of others.”

A notable mention was given to short listed venture, LaLa Curio and founder Laura Cheung,  for the impact she is making on the lives of traditional Chinese artisans, by bringing their crafts to a global stage. LaLa Curio Generations is a curated digital platform for Chinese traditional crafts. Through artisan discovery, education, quality curation, and marketing, LaLa Curio plans to preserve Chinese cultural heritage for future generations.

JOBDOH was selected at a live pitch event held at Duddell’s in Central Hong Kong on 14 January. At the event, five shortlisted local entrepreneurs pitched their ideas for change in front of an audience made up of fellow social entrepreneurs, investors, and a panel of judges. Guests enjoyed a specially curated ‘Start-up’ Chivas Regal cocktail series, featuring “The Hacker”, “The Hustler”, and “The Hipster”. Created by Hong Kong’s local Chivas Master, Dave Lam, “The Hipster” is, a blend of Chivas 12, Luxardo maraschino, Fernet branca, and orange bitters. “The Hipster” will now be available at Quinary, for those looking to experience their own taste of The Venture.

Ahead of the global finals, the competitors will take part in The Venture’s Accelerator Week hosted at University of Oxford by The Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. Embedded within the world-renowned Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, The Skoll Centre has created an inspirational and transformative programme featuring opportunities for the finalists to develop leadership skills, take part in practical workshops and be inspired by global experts on critical topics that affect social enterprises.

With over US$1 million in funding and resources, The Venture enables social entrepreneurs from around the world to realize their potential and gain exposure for their business. For more information about JobDOH and Chivas Regal’s ongoing support for social enterprise visit https://www.theventure.com.

Chivas Regal introduces the gift of the century: Chivas Regal The Icon

The premium Scotch whisky brand releases an ultra-prestigious blend to the Hong Kong market, crafted with some of the oldest and rarest whiskies available

Hong Kong, 26 October 2015- It has been more than a century since Chivas Regal established itself as the world’s first luxury whisky, and today Chivas Regal introduces a symbol of luxury for a new era - Chivas Regal The Icon.

Chivas Regal The Icon is the embodiment of craftsmanship and tradition married with the unparalleled expertise of Chivas Regal’s Master Blender, Colin Scott. This ultra-prestige Scotch whisky is an exceptionally smooth blend of much sought-after whiskies from more than 20 distilleries across Scotland, including some rare whiskies from distilleries now no longer in use.

Chivas Regal The Icon is the perfect balance of old and new, with each distillery imparting its own unique characteristics. At its heart lie the rarest malts from Strathisla, the spiritual home of Chivas Regal, and the oldest continuously operating distillery in the Scottish Highlands. Accented with hand-selected single malts from Longmorn and Glen Keith, Chivas Regal The Icon is a bold, balanced and unforgettable blend specifically developed with discerning whisky connoisseurs in mind.

Each year,  a limited number of bottles of Chivas RegalThe Icon will be available, making it a must-have product for whisky adorers and collectors alike.

Presented in an elegant bottle, each decanter of Chivas Regal The Icon has been hand-blown by dedicated master craftsmen at Dartington Crystal before being hand-filled with the luxury liquid. The glass is delicately etched and finished with precision crafted metalwork and presented in sublime green glassware in homage to the original green Chivas Regal bottle that captured the world’s attention in 1909. Adorned with a signature luckenbooth stopper, a traditional Celtic symbol of love, the distinctive bottle is certain to be adored by whisky enthusiasts around the world.

Tasting notes

A celebration of craftsmanship and excellence, Chivas Regal The Icon is the pinnacle of the Chivas Regal range. With exceptional character and an incredibly long and luscious finish, rich notes of honey, vanilla and dark chocolate are balanced by subtle hazelnut influences from the cask, delivering a long and luxurious finish in the smooth Chivas house style.

Colin Scott, Chivas Regal’s Master Blender, commented:

“Chivas Regal The Icon is a truly exquisite blend – perfectly smooth with an intense concentration of sumptuous flavours that develop into an exceptionally long, lingering finish. I am proud to present this luxurious expression of the Chivas Regal house style to you.”

The limited release of Chivas Regal The Icon is available by private order only at HK$28,800. 

To purchase Chivas Regal The Icon in Hong Kong please contact: Mr. Christopher Bin / Christopher.bin@pernod-ricard.com