Champions League 2012/13

The 2012/13 UEFA Champions League Group Stage is set after the drawing of the groups yesterday. Defending champion Chelsea(ENG) is set to face Shakhtar Donetsk(UKR), two-time Champions Juventus(ITA) and new-comer Nordsjaelland(DEN) is Group E while runner up Bayern Munich(GER) is in Group F alongside Valencia(ESP), LOSC(FRA) and BATE(BLR). Groupings are listed below:

Group A - Porto(POR), Dynamo Kyiv(UKR), PSG(FRA), Dinamo Zagreb(CRO)
Group B - Arsenal(ENG), Schalke(GER), Olympiacos(GRE), Montpellier(FRA)
Group C - Milan(ITA), Zenit(RUS), Anderlecht(BEL), Málaga(ESP)
Group D - Real Madrid(ESP), Manchester City(ENG), Ajax(NED), Dortmund(GER)
Group E - Chelsea(ENG), Shakhtar Donetsk(UKR), Juventus(ITA), Nordsjælland(DEN)
Group F - Bayern Munchen(GER), Valencia(ESP), LOSC(FRA), BATE(BLR)
Group G - Barcelona(ESP), Benfica(POR), Spartak Moskva(RUS), Celtic(SCO)
Group H - Manchester United(ENG), Braga(POR), Galatasaray(TUR), CFR Cluj(ROU)

Champions League will begin on September 18 with the following matches:
Dinamo Zagreb vs. Porto
PSG vs. Dynamo Kyiv
Montpellier vs. Arsenal
Malaga vs. Zenit
Milan vs. Anderlecht
Dortmund vs. Ajax
Real Madrid vs. Man. City
Olympiacos vs. Schalke

For schedules and results, visit the Champions League website - http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/index.html

Lexus After Dark Event

To introduce their fifth hybrid, the CT 200h, Lexus launched the CT 200h After Dark Tour that premiered in the city that never sleeps, New York City, on October 16.

The After Dark Tour was held at Marquee Club, an ultra lounge in Chelsea district. The event allows guests a sneak preview of the new Lexus CT 200h and chat with a Lexus vehicle specialist while enjoying complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and live music with The Honey Brothers and DJ Sky Ferreira.

I got there pretty early and there where already a number of guests waiting outside Marquee while a red Lexus CT 200h was parked outside the venue. Everyone who got in were given a pretty spiffy bracelet that you can almost wear on a night out in town. Then you are greeted by hostess carrying shots of rum and coke. The venue was transformed with LED walls surrounding the plush sofas and a stage for the band.


It was a pretty mixed crowd that attended the event and from different states. I talked to a couple who are from Georgia and got an invite to attend the event. Anyway, complimentary hors d'oeuvres composed of potatoes and caviar, lobster ravioli, baked calms, and lamb chops among others were served to the guest. And I must say, whoever was at the kitchen was doing an excellent job. The lamb chops was tender while the lobster ravioli and baked calms were really good.

After most of the guest have settled, the band - Honey Brothers - were introduced and started playing. A New York-based new wave folk band, the Honey Brothers is composed of Andrew Vladeck, Ethan Gold, DS Posner, Ari Gold and Adrian Grenier. Yup, you read that right, Adrian Grenier of Entourage, is the drummer of the band. They played a mix of country, folksy tunes to the delight of the crowd.

After the band ended, the guest were then asked to move into the second floor lounge from some desserts such as truffles and apple tarts while still enjoying the complimentary cocktails and dance to the tunes of DJ Sky Ferreira who played a mixture of hip-hop and pop music. The party ended at 11pm but guest where allowed to stay the rest of the night and still enjoy complimentary drinks all throughout the night.

Lexus After Dark | Marquee Nightclub | Honey Brothers | DJ Sky Ferreira

Dewar's Tasting Event

I've been meaning to write about Dewar's tasting event that I went two weekends ago but got tied up with work and then the mine rescue came about. I guess, better late than never...Last Oct 7, I had a chance to join other whiskey lovers to be part of the Dewar's tasting event held at Chelsea's Milk Studios. It sure was a truly good experience learning the history of Dewar's and even had a pleasure of making my own blend of scotch whiskey.

The night started with cocktail hour where guest were treated to various hors d'oeuvres such as Mozarella and Tomatoes, Chicken Sliders, Beef Sliders and so much more. And you got to wash the finger food down with your choice of either Dewar's on the Rocks, Dewar's Smash and Dewar's and Ginger.

Dewar's Smash

Dewar's on the Rocks is basically Dewar's 12 Blended Scotch Whisky on the rocks; Dewar's Smash is a mix of fresh mint, simple syrup, seltzer and lemon with Dewar's White Label; and Dewar's & Ginger is a mix of Dewar's White Label with Gingel Ale. I decided to give Dewar's Smash a try and it was pretty good. Very smooth and tasty - almost similar to a mojito.

Then our emcee, who is one of Dewar's ambassadors for which I cannot remember his name, announce that it was time for the tasting event. He asked everyone to line up near the curtain and the Dewar's ladies led us in to our table. The tasting room had tables that fit 8 guest and setup in a semi-circle with screens at the back of the room showing Dewar's history and another screen up front. Once seated, each guest have have 5 glasses filled with drips of Scotch and water, and 5 test tubes containing different flavored White Label whiskey (Honey, Fruity - Citrus, Floral, Vanilla and Smokey - Peat). I even had a chance to smell the peat when our ambassador lighted and allow us to smell the smokey flavor.

The Dewar's Drink Ambassador started off by telling a brief history of Dewar's. He even taught us two Gaelic words, one of which is "Slaandjivaa" which is Scottish Gaelic for cheers. After few more Dewar's facts, we started the tasting. We had a chance to try Dewar's White Label again after which our ambassador asked us to nose each whiskey flavor and then asked us to blend our own scotch whiskey. I used smokey as my base flavor and mixed in some honey and floral. I would say my whiskey came out nicely.

Next up, the ambassador allows us to taste one of the rarest Dewar's whisky - the unaged blend and of course, the Dewar's 12 that is unavailable for sale and is the drink of England's Royal Family. This 12 year old Scotch comes out of the still and then poured back into the still for continued aging. Of course, we also had a chance to taste the finished version of Dewar's 12 which is pretty different from the unfinished one. The night then ended with how you really should have your scotch - a glass of Dewar's White Label with a singular ice cube.

After the event, Dewar's gifted each guest a gift bag with a set of Dewar's etched glasses.  Looks like all I need now is to get a bottle of Dewar's

Dewar's Fact: Dewar's master blender is a female. Yes, you see it right, Stephanie Macleod is the first woman and the seventh master blender in Dewar's 160 year history. The reason, females have a better sense of smell.


Dewar's website