A Chara
This month is all about whiskey. And why not we say. It’s all part of our drive to put the “e” back in whiskey and to start featuring Irish products which are not only world-class, but seem to get little attention in Hong Kong. There are a lot of other events so get your calendars ready. First, though, we take a quick look at the highlights of October. |
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October in Hong Kong The European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (EuroCham) works to reflect the needs and opinions of European businesses in Hong Kong, by advocating policies favourable to business and to the community for the Hong Kong government. As a member of EuroCham, the Irish Chamber is part of that process, our own Henry Au was elected this year as EuroCham treasurer. We work closely with EuroCham to ensure the interests of Irish businesses and individuals are passed on to the government as part of the overall advocacy and this year we’re happy to say several ideas were incorporated in the Chief Executive’s Policy Address, including two of the central areas we’ve been pushing along with our other European partners. |
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In the Wine and Spirits sector, the reduction of duties on certain liquor imports signals a key opportunity for Hong Kong to grow as a premium trading hub, and in terms of Travel and Tourism, the expansion of aviation networks and the development of the Three-Runway System aligns with our efforts to position Hong Kong as a premier destination, tapping into its strategic role in global travel.
There’s a lot more, and you can find the full document at the EuroCham site here. So if you want your voice to be heard as an Irish business, or professional working in Hong Kong or looking to expand here, you should join the Irish Chamber. We’ll make sure your ideas and opinions get in front of the right people. |
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October in Hong Kong Now on to what’s been happening at the chamber and what we’ve got planned for the weeks ahead. First up, our very own Padraig Seif was interviewed on RTHK’s Carolyn Wright about prospects for Irish businesses in Hong Kong, what they’re already doing and what Ireland has to offer. The broadcast goes out on November 15, at 5.35 pm, so set your radio dials and if you don’t know what a radio is ask your grandparents, or listen to the podcast (link to follow). |
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| Nicole Yuen and our own Henry Au. |
| We also hosted a joint talk with the German Chamber on “Looking Beyond ESG for Corporates: Empowering Women in the Workplace for a Sustainable Future”
Nicole Yuen, Founder and CEO of the Women Workplace Index discussed why, faced with male-centric life and career choices, many women are on a baby-making strike and why corporations need to start looking at workplace initiatives that give women a genuine equal share, with real options to live the life they want. |
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Putting the “e” back in whiskey.
Ever wondered why Irish whiskey is spelt with an “e”?
It’s a centuries long tale of war, love, independence, skill, foresight, imagination and monks.
Which means it’s far too long for us to go into here, but we’ve added a short version and even a fantasy version later on, ‘cos we care.
The Chamber has partnered with the Consulate General of Ireland and the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) to present a unique Irish Whiskey tasting reception featuring four of Ireland’s new generation of distilleries:
Ahascragh Distillery, Ireland’s first zero emissions whiskey and gin distillery located in the heart of County Galway.
Lough Ree Distillery combining tradition with modern technology to forge connections from its home in Lanesborough across Ireland and beyond.
So now you can not only find out why in 1755, Samuel Johnson said Irish whiskey was “particularly distinguished for its pleasant and mild flavor,” but also where the “e” came from. · When? Wednesday 6 November · Time? 18.00-20.00 · Where? Tiffany's New York Bar @ the InterContinental Grand Stanford Hotel. |
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The Irish Whiskey Story Irish whiskey is one of the oldest spirits in Europe, where distillation has taken place since the 6th century.
Monks first brought the technique to Ireland, and used it to create perfumes and “Eau de Vie” (which if you’ve seen where some of the early monasteries were set up was probably something of a life saver), which translates into Gaelic as “Uisce Beatha” (pronounced Ishka Ba-ha), which was anglicised into “whisky.”
By the 19th century Ireland was supplying 60% of the world demand, so to differentiate it from other whiskeys produced using a method patented by Aeneas Coffey, rather than the traditional pot still distillation favoured in Ireland, the “e” was added.
Sadly, in the 20th century Irish distillers went into decline, partly because of the insistence on sticking with the slower, although more flavourful, pot still method, but also trade disruption caused by World War I.
Independence from Britain cut off its main market, followed only a couple of years later by prohibition in the US which closed down another major market.
That’s now changing with the Irish whiskey sector starting to see a global resurgence with increasing exports and ongoing investment.
So now you know, what are you waiting for?
Start telling your friends and neighbours to get out there and buy the stuff.
And if they can’t find it, demand their local retailers start stocking up. Let’s put the “e” back in whiskey. |
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(How It Might Have Happened)
We add this because it came to us in a dream, and because sometimes we get bored writing a sensible newsletter. Where’s the fun in that?
(Scene: A London club 1860, November, 3rd, around tea time.)
Chaps in morning dress or evening dress, possibly afternoon dress (dress, not dresses, it’s not that kind of club) sit around in leather chairs debating the great issues of the empire (no, not that empire. No dark side here.)
“I say chaps, can’t pronounce this uiscy what’sit.”
“Sounds foreign.”
“Welsh?”
“No, don’t think so, not enough rrrrs”
(Pause as chaps contemplate.)
“Not British definitely,”
(Murmurs of agreement among the geographically-challenged membership.)
“What about “Eau de Vie?”
(Cries of “shame”, “shame”, “bring me a double” echo around the room, as the member who spoke sits in a corner and sulks.)
“What about adding a ‘w’,” suggest a bright spark. “Good English letter ‘w,’ pretty sure there’s one in Waterloo.”
“And ‘h,’ you know, Hastings, 1066 and whatsit.”
(More battle related letters are suggested as the members become more excited.)
“Inkerman.”
“Sebastopol.”
“Khushab.”*
““Was that a battle?”
“Oh yes think so, the mater got a gong from there.”
“Good show.”
“Right so what about W-H-I-S-K.”
(Members aren’t convinced.)
“We could put a ‘y’ on the end, sounds sort of Anglo-Saxon thingy.”
(Much applause and jubilation followed by knighthoods and medals all round.)
(*1857 Anglo-Persian War) Well it could have happened that way, you never know. |
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Coming Up
And so back to the real world, the one that spins.
The Annual Christmas Lunch! Same spot, same time, and the same craic.
Where? The Royal Yacht Club When? 5th December, 2024 12:00pm-3.00pm
Save the date and we’ll keep you updated on the Prize list of the Lucky Draw, but already we’re looking at gold, plane tickets, sumptuous dinners and other goodies. |
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Looking even further ahead, don’t forget the Rugby Sevens March 28-30.
We’ll be planning something to mark the occasion, so clear your calendars. |
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P.S. if you’ve enjoyed reading this … Then why not join our Whatsapp group, providing members with an easy way to stay up to date on the latest news, events, and updates from the Chamber? |
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P.P.S. Oh, and one more thing… If you haven’t already, why not join us?
The Irish Chamber can offer you the kind of support, advice and network you won’t get anywhere else. Sure, we understand you simply may not have time to go to events. But we offer far more than that. You know good business is about connections and opportunities, but without the first, you won’t get the second. Our members have a wealth of experience in a wide range of fields across international borders, all of which can help you save time, energy, and money. So join us, you know it makes sense. |
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The Irish Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong Unit 1, 16th Floor, Gee Tuck Building, 16-20 Bonham Strand East, Sheung Wan
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