Whisky Journey at Mio Lab: Tasting Scotland and Japan

There's a moment in the evening when time slows down. The table is free, the conversation becomes more relaxed, and what's needed is a glass worth enjoying. For those seeking this kind of evening, Park Hyatt Milan's Mio Lab has prepared two tastings designed for those who know whisky, or want to begin to truly explore it.

The idea is simple: three glasses, two traditions, no rush. On one side, Scotland with its peated Islay, on the other, Japan with its almost Zen-like precision. Two worlds of whisky that can be explored here while sitting comfortably, without having to blindly choose a bottle from the list.

The Call of Islay: When Whisky Tastes of the Sea

The first tour takes you to Islay, the Scottish island where whisky tastes of smoke and salt. The star is Laphroaig, a name familiar to those who love peated whisky. The tasting includes three different versions: the intense and spicy Quarter Cask; the Cask Lore, a blend created by master distillers to celebrate tradition (lore in Gaelic means "transmission of knowledge"); and the 10-year-old Sherry Oak Finish, where peat meets the sweetness of sherry casks.

Three 6cl glasses served on a wooden stand for €38. If you prefer a more creative approach, there's also the Scotland Wave, a cocktail that blends Laphroaig Quarter Cask with lemon, blackberry, licorice bitters, and a touch of absinthe. It costs €28 and is bar manager Alessandro Iacobucci Vitoni's idea to bring Scotland into a more Mediterranean dimension.

Japan According to Suntory: Balance in Three Glasses

The second journey is east. Suntory is the name that built the reputation of Japanese whisky around the world, and here at Mio Lab you can taste three of its most representative expressions. We begin with the Yamazaki 12-Year-Old, the first single malt produced in Japan, smooth and fruity. We continue with the Hakushu 12-Year-Old, fresh and with herbaceous notes reminiscent of the forests where it is distilled. We conclude with the Hibiki Harmony, a blend that makes balance its signature.

Here too, three 6cl glasses, this time for €58. For those who want to try a cocktail, there's the Sakura Serenade: Hibiki Harmony, Cocchi Storico, and Fernet Branca with a splash of orange essential oil. It costs €30 and is another way to experience Japanese whisky, more poetic and less didactic.

Pairing with chocolate (and why it makes sense)

Both tastings can be paired with chocolate selected by pastry chef Alessio Gallelli. It's not just a whim: the carefully chosen chocolate enhances the nuances of the whisky. It complements the sweetness of the sherry, balances the peat, and plays with the fruity notes. It's a pairing that those who frequent the tastings are familiar with, but here, it's meticulously crafted.

Mio Lab is located at Via Silvio Pellico 3, just steps from the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Open daily from 12:00 PM to 12:30 AM. This is a chance to explore whiskies rarely found in mainstream bars.