Taking over Kasa Moto’s rooftop bar and lounge, SHARP‘s latest instalment of Scotches & Watches took a distinctly Japanese approach. Pairing the cutting-edge craftsmanship of Grand Seiko watches, and the refined and rare spirits of House of Suntory — Japan’s oldest single malt distiller, and leader in Japanese whisky craft — guests were invited to a lively evening of spirits and cocktails, all while getting a first-hand look at some of the year’s finest new timepieces.
It’s been another strong year at Grand Seiko, as the brand continues to garner praise from the horological community at large. On the heels of last year’s launch of the Tentagraph — the brand’s new high-beat chronograph — this year has seen the arrival of several exclusive editions across multiple collections including the Evolution 9 series, as well as within its Sport models, and of course the boundary pushing Kodo constant-force tourbillon reference. With several of its latest-and-greatest on display, SHARP‘s VVIP guests had the chance to see and try on a wide variety of these beautiful pieces. For those less familiar with the brand, it proved the perfect opportunity to get a better understanding of why Grand Seiko’s watches can hold their own against many of the Swiss watch world’s finest offerings.
Of course to complement this fine Japanese craft, we tapped House of Suntory as our whisky partner of choice. The legacy maker set the tone for whisky production in the region, and to this day they remain a leader in the category. Welcome cocktails were poured as creative twists on classic cocktails using Suntory Toki, with further sips of its exclusive portfolio being offered through guided tastings.
Two top-shelf bottles made their way into the hands of our suave sippers, including the uniquely blended Suntory World Whisky Ao. This special spirit taps the five leading whisky regions from around the globe — Scotland, Ireland, America, Canada, and Japan — using whiskies from each region (from Suntory Group producers) to form a distinct and impressive flavour profile. In contrast, the Legent Yamazaki that was poured is an exquisite representation of American spirit and Japanese craft. Starting its life as Kentucky Straight Bourbon, the whisky crosses to Kyoto after 8 years of aging before being blended and finished.
Between these two brands rests a perfect synergy of craft and creativity. Neither brand is bound by tradition to the point of restricting innovation. Both refuse to sacrifice quality for the sake of marginal gain. And both perpetually have the ability to surprise and impress. This is precisely the kind of brand harmony we love to draw on for our Scotches & Watches events at SHARP, and we’re already eager to bring you the next one.
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