Speed, Sherry & Highland Stature: Inside Our Raceday Whisky Masterclasses at HKJC Sha Tin
January 11, 2026
We brought our signature masterclass series to the Racing Lounge at Sha Tin Racecourse for an exhilarating day of high-stakes racing and single malt discovery. Positioned directly between live track fixtures, our dual-session masterclass offered Hong Kong Jockey Club members an intimate interlude to pause, analyze, and immerse their palates in the deep heritage of Highland whisky making.
Rather than treating whisky simply as a celebratory pour after a race, our sessions explored how traditional distillation choices, geographic microclimates, and long-term cask maturation shape spirit structure.
To challenge and delight members across both afternoon flights, we curated a head-to-head tasting comparing an oily, waxy Highland powerhouse with one of Scotland's greatest sherry icons:
1. Ben Nevis 10 Year Old (Highland | 46% ABV)
The Distillery Heritage: Founded in 1825 at the foot of Ben Nevis Mountain, this historic site stands as one of Scotland's oldest licensed distilleries. Today, it bridges authentic Scottish distilling heritage with revered Japanese blending craft and meticulous quality philosophy.
The Profile: Robust, waxy, and richly textured.
The Experience: Serving as an uncompromised benchmark of old-school spirit weight, Ben Nevis greeted members with aromas of rich apricot jam, fresh orange zest, dark chocolate, and a delicate touch of wood smoke. On the palate, a thick, oily mouthfeel unfolded into medium-long layers of orange chocolate and aromatic tobacco, finishing with a lingering, warming spice.
2. The GlenDronach 18 Year Old "Allardice" (Highland | 46% ABV)
The Distillery Heritage: Established in 1826 in the valley of Forgue, The GlenDronach was among the last bastions of traditional distilling, operating floor maltings until 1996 and direct coal-fired stills until 2005. Sourced with water from the Dronac Burn, its Category B listed distillery remains a sanctuary for heavy, authentic sherry maturation.
The Profile: Decadent, dark, and intensely sherried.
The Experience: Fully matured in rare Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, this 18-year-old titan poured a profound natural mahogany amber. The nose enveloped the room in decadent aromas of rich fudge, dark muscovado sugar, fruit compote, and tart morello cherries. On the palate, seductive waves of stewed plums, holiday allspice, walnut bread, and chocolate orange delivered an opulent, velvety finish that lingered well into the next race call.
Between dissecting race odds and tracking finishes along the Sha Tin turf, members engaged in vibrant table discussions comparing the waxy, citrus-and-smoke muscle of Ben Nevis against the dark, dried-fruit opulence of GlenDronach 18. The contrasting profiles sparked lively debate, proving that true quality, much like a seasoned thoroughbred, only reveals its greatness with patience and time.
A huge thank you to the Hong Kong Jockey Club team for their hospitality, and to all the members who joined us trackside for such high-energy, memorable sessions.
May your horses hit top stride down the Sha Tin straight, and may your glass always finish as rich and commanding as an eighteen-year cask—Pours of victory and swift strides!
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