Wood, a cocktail and whisky bar located in the closure of Xinyi Place's No. 1 store, is now owned by Jason Tse at his new store on College Road, which offers 16 of its own cocktails and about 10 classic cocktails. Given the custom of not having a wine list in the old store, you can also ask for a custom concoction when you meet Jason at the new store.
Jason's special blends are more reliable, unlike young bartenders who are still in the trial period, Jason has a precise understanding of the category, flavor and pairing of wines, and the flavors described by customers, which can be made and which cannot be made with known materials, often at the end of the description, Jason can draw his conclusions, without having to try again, so drinking Jason's special blends rarely does not meet the description.
In terms of innovation, Wood is also remarkable, not only has homemade base spirits such as hibiscus flower gin and peach infused vodka, but also rarely uses peaty single malt whisky as a base to create a balanced, fresh and unique peaty flavor of the liquor. The ingredients used are also eclectic, such as JDB or milk caps. The most special of these is W0571, which is inspired by the breakfast of Hangzhou people, and is served with a basket of xiaolongbao and a cocktail made with soy milk.
Wood's products are mostly sweet and sour, such as W2, which has a high order rate, it is based on hibiscus flower gin, adding strawberry puree, peach liqueur, lemon juice, light cream and soda, its taste is richer, fresh and lively fruit sour mixed with soft creamy aroma, the entrance is slightly bubbly, very refreshing, although the seasoning is pleasing, but the taste of this wine lacks sharp strength, although light cream and soda can provide milky and refreshing taste respectively, but the texture of the two is not very compatible, and the taste is lost. As for the mellow classic flavors, Wood's most distinctive ones are the W12 and W13, which are homemade oak barrel aged Negroni and Manhattan respectively, the classic cocktail has a calm woody flavor after being re-brewed in oak barrels, and the divided aging and ice cups are served when you want to drink them, pour and stir them yourself, the entrance is balanced and the aftertaste is long, the bitter and sweet are more balanced, if you like Negroni and Manhattan, you may wish to try it. Judging by a critical eye, Wood's offerings, in addition to classic cocktails, lack a lot of stable structure, distinct flavor and layering, and the taste is a little confusing, so it is discounted.
Different from the old store, the new store on Xueyuan Road has a more fashionable and youthful decoration, with black and brass as the main colors, and is a modern American bar with a minimalist style. Wood's service is more attentive to details, its wine and snacks are better and more delicious than others, and the service attitude is also friendly, but it is a pity that even if the bar is full, there is an inexplicable desertion in the bar, and there is a lack of drinking atmosphere.
