Glenlivet and Starlux Airlines launched Taiwan’s first in-flight whisky tasting.
While flights are grounded, the taste journey takes off—luxury living at new heights.
This is how Taiwan’s elite savor life.
The Glenlivet, the icon of single malt Scotch whisky, teamed up with Starlux Airlines to host the first-ever whisky tasting in the sky.
Back when smoky whiskies ruled Scotland, The Glenlivet stood out with its smooth style. Now, it’s taking whisky tasting to the next level—above the clouds—for a one-of-a-kind sky-high experience.
Checked in at STARLUX’s exclusive counter and breezed through boarding — the smoothest airport experience I’ve had. With fewer crowds, it was the perfect chance to slow down and explore Taoyuan Airport at my own pace.
The Glenlivet and STARLUX’s collaboration is no coincidence — both brands share a bold spirit of innovation, each pushing boundaries in their own fields without compromise.
STARLUX Airlines has been making waves since day one. Even with the pandemic, travel fans couldn’t wait to get on board and see what the hype was about.
Since this flight left Taiwan’s airspace, we still had to go through standard immigration procedures — and yes, we each got a real boarding pass.
Getting up close to STARLUX was truly stunning! Its sleek, modern design is bold and stylish, with a cool, sophisticated vibe.
STARLUX business class seats are spacious, matching international standards. Each seat comes with an exclusive, elegant gift prepared specially for the STARLUX x The Glenlivet tasting event guests.
The tasting event will soon take place in a designated economy class area. Let’s take a closer look at the STARLUX economy seats.
The tasting event will soon take place in a designated economy class area. Let’s take a closer look at the STARLUX economy seats.
Each seat comes with its own pillow and blanket, all thoroughly sanitized before being provided for our use.
There are two types of charging ports located right below the screen in front of each seat.
This deep amber spirit, aged 100% in sherry casks, arrives in elegant burgundy packaging marked “2021 Limited Edition,”highly praised by Taiwan’s whisky enthusiasts for its exceptional flavor.
We took off at 3:15 PM. The sun above the clouds was still strong, but Starlux’s starry eye mask made it easy to relax and catch a quick rest.
The Glenlivet and Starlux Airlines present the first-ever high-altitude whisky tasting. At 3,000 feet, savor Taiwan’s stunning views alongside the exclusive 2021 Limited Edition 13-Year Sherry Cask whisky.
About 15 minutes after takeoff, the captain’s cheerful voice came over the speaker—warmly welcoming everyone to this rare and special flight. He reminded us to grab the headphones and turn on the in-flight entertainment system for the full experience.
Everyone turned on their screens, enjoying a spacious row of three seats each for comfort and safety.
Starlux flight JX-8888 with Glenlivet flew along Taiwan’s east coast, touched the Philippine Sea without landing, then returned to Taiwan.
The flight offered stunning views of Qingshui Cliffs, Lanyu, Green Island, Sanxiantai, the Coastal Mountain Range, and Penghu Islands—letting us truly appreciate the beauty of Formosa from afar.
Guests can savor the new limited edition Glenlivet 13-Year Sherry Cask under changing atmospheres and pressures, experiencing a fresh sensory journey through the shifting environment.
Once the plane reaches cruising altitude, a team of flight attendants in Starlux uniforms begins the whiskey tasting service.
Guests also get to taste the 2021 Limited Edition Glenlivet 13-Year Sherry Cask, along with the exclusive “Glenlivet Space Capsule.”
The highlight? Two jelly-like “Glenlivet Space Capsules” that burst with whisky flavors in your mouth. Crafted from Glenlivet’s “Founder’s Reserve,” they come in Paloma and Scottish Coffee twists—an out-of-this-world tasting experience!
This Paloma jelly capsule bursts with fresh fruity notes—yuzu, grapefruit, and elderflower—at 19% alcohol. A bold, innovative cocktail experience.
This Scottish Coffee jelly capsule offers rich notes of vanilla, coffee, and caramel, with 18.2% alcohol—evoking a smooth Scottish morning brew. This space capsule cocktail takes whisky tasting to a whole new level, making the high-altitude tasting truly unique.
From the stunning views to the subtle changes in aroma and taste caused by altitude, this experience offers a truly unique whisky tasting. Rich, sweet notes of ripe fruit mingle with the sugary sweetness of almond cake, all wrapped in a hint of delicate spices.
At first sip, the whisky’s bold and intense body hits the palate, unleashing a cascade of delightful candied fruit flavors—rich yet perfectly balanced.
Rich dark chocolate, orange peel, and warm spices blend into a smooth, refined finish. This 13-year-old sherry-cask whisky is master blender Alan Winchester’s prized creation.
The finish is long, soft, and delightful, leaving a rich and lasting impression. Amidst the complex layers of flavor, the whisky’s delicate purity still shines through.
The Glenlivet has released its 13-Year Sherry Cask Single Malt – the “2021 Limited Edition.” Bottled at a robust 60.2% cask strength, this small-batch whisky captures intense, original aromas. With no chill filtration and no added water, it preserves the purest, most authentic flavor straight from the barrel.
Glenlivet’s signature Speyside fruity-floral aroma sets the standard for single malt whisky. Its captivating nose leads to a powerful yet smooth palate, unfolding sweet notes of pineapple, peach, and tropical fruits.
A harmonious sensory feast blending strength and softness—from flavor to finesse, from appreciation to connoisseurship. An original taste, a perfect pleasure.
The tasting event lasted about an hour. As the light outside gradually dimmed, it was nearly dinner time.
Flight attendants in sleek uniforms served meals, creating a full five-sense experience—scent, sight, touch, taste, and sound—perfectly matching Glenlivet’s philosophy of tasting as an art.
It was also my first time trying Starlux’s in-flight meal. Bread and drinks were freshly selected and served right at the seat.
The special spiced dinner roll bursts with rich spices and crunchy nuts.
The main dish was delicious—my favorite Korean-style kimchi pork rice! Sides included soybean sprouts, tomato, broccoli, and marinated wood ear mushrooms. Maybe it’s the wine tasting, but everything tasted extra flavorful and spicy.
I also really liked this Italian-style cold salad. It’s topped with buffalo mozzarella, paired with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and a special dill vinaigrette.
Dessert was cocoa crisp ice cream from Taiwan’s Tainan.
T
ruly grateful for this event, pushing our taste buds to new heights with in-flight whisky tasting.
Drink responsibly. Don’t drink and drive. Safety first.
（禁止酒駕.酒後不開車、安全有保障）The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
