northern lights, northern lights
True luxury was celebrated by Robb Report Malaysia at an exclusive, by-invitation only series of dinners held at Penang’s grand Farquhar Mansion restaurant and lounge. Amid the island idyll and good company, guests of Robb Report Malaysia were feted with an array of delightful sensations from the minute they stepped in.
It began with the elegant style of Jo Malone London showcasing their dazzling range of colognes bath & body highlights and home collection of scented candles. Consultants offered a personalised scenting ritual and also brought guests through an olfactory journey of some of the latest hits, such as the new Myrrh & Tonka as well as the limited edition Star Magnolia. On the dining table, each guest received a lovely packaged gift of a Jo Malone London fragrance.
The preamble of an amuse bouche duo whetted appetites for what is to come; a basil cone with feta cheese, salmon tartare and parmesan and a potato ball of cod fish and micro greens. Then six-course dinner kicked off with a mushroom terroir of portobello liberally topped with black Perigord truffles. Throughout the courses, guests were entertained by insights into the art of cognac by Moet Hennessy brand ambassador Cheong Wai Keng, who offered tasting notes of the Hennessy X.O pairings with the beautifully crafted dishes by Farquhar Mansion’s masterful kitchen.
A bouillabaisse of barramundi and clams segued into a seared foie gras with grape confit and a port wine emulsion before the main course was served; a juicy wagyu steak with a side of beef cheek tortellini accented by savoury beef jus reduction. Cheong then proceeded to offer guests three tasting glasses. The first two were filled with aged eaux-de-vie – the distilled alcohol from cognac’s fine grape harvests which could ostensibly be the building blocks of the Hennessy Paradis Imperial.
The third glass represented the climactic result of the art of selection, with only 10 out of 10,000 eaux-de-vie adjudged by the venerable Master Blender of the Maison Hennessy to have the right point of elegance to be blended into a Hennessy Paradis Imperial (RM8,838).
The triumphant result is one which offers a nose of jasmine, orange blossom, spring essences and a subtle wisp of smoke. The present-day Paradis Imperial, topped with gold-lined Baccarat crystal stopper, is a recall of the very first Paradis Imperial, commissioned by the Empress Dowager from the Imperial Court of Russia in 1818 as a birthday gift for her son, Tsar Alexander 1. To go with this unique blend, guests enjoyed the perfect pairing of the fine Cuban Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchills, completing the night’s sensory journey in style.
