Mark Patton is a level three Bourbon sommelier. He runs the Korea Bourbon Club, and quite recently his wife Oh Sook Hyun has opened the Whisky Bible near Yongsan Station.

A major reason for Sook Hyun’s decision to open a high-end independent whisky retail shop has been a seismic progression in the way Whiskey is appreciated in Korea. The modern-day image of whiskey that Mark and Sook Hyun want to put top-of-mind is of a sophisticated and fashionable beverage, on equal footing with wines and high-end Korean liquor.

To do this, Mark and Sook Hyun spend a lot of time working with people to improve their noses and palates as well as their whisky vocabulary.

As Mark says, “When you’re doing whiskey, I can image a picture in my head. So, if I drink an Islay, I don’t just stop at ‘smoke’ I some grilled fish cooked over coal briquettes.” Both he and Sook Hyun are also great whisky storytellers. Whether you attend a (virtual) whisky tasting or visit the Whiskey Bible, you can learn the backstory of the whiskeys.

Today’s episode is brought to you by The Four Seasons Seoul. Stylish elegance in the very heart of the city

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Published On: December 10, 2021 / Categories: koreabizcast /