By Jim Boyce | One year after bar veterans Ah Jin, C.J. and Jack Zhou—collectively known for spots like Shooters, 1F, The Bar and Groovy Schiller’s—opened their new place, Herbal, with design by Glenn ‘Pop-Up’ Schuitman, change is under way.
Last night Ah was putting the finishing touches on a whisky shop that he created out of one of the front private rooms. Customers have about 100 options they may order in amounts ranging from 20 ml samplers to whole bottles, with discounts on takeaway orders or members, with the system like that at Straight Spirit.
(There are links between Herbal’s owners and Straight Spirit but I’m not sure of the current status. I just spotted the shop on my way to XL, popped in for a second and took a few photos.)
Anyway, the list leans heavily to Scotland and Japan, with a smattering of other nationalities represented. For those who now find Japanese whisky pricey—and prices have skyrocketed from a few years ago —you can give them a try as samplers!
Herbal focuses on cocktails that use Chinese medicinal ingredients and is beside XL, just off Xindong Road.
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