At the end of February I had a reason to go to Japan. Not to eat, but on some business. I finally got to use the Asiana Lounge at Incheon Airport for the first time.. I had made the card ages ago but my busy schedule never let me try it, and it is really nice. It is free three times a year, so I will have to use it next time too.
Booze at the duty-free shop
Hmm.. looks like the Signet has the wrong price tag on it.. The single malt selection has grown a lot more than I expected. Plenty of duty-free exclusive bottles too. I guess it is the boom these days, but as everyone knows, when a boom like this hits, a lot of good whisky disappears. I pray it does not come to that, but it is a reality you cannot do much about, so all you can do is drink it while you can.
Sunrise
I go to Japan so often that there is nothing left for me to buy at duty-free, so I had plenty of time to spare. A quick check of the liquor and I moved on to the lounge.
Asiana Lounge
Bigger and nicer than I expected. It would be nice to spend two or three hours here, but with boarding times in mind, an hour is the most you get. And even that is cutting it close.
There is a liquor corner..
Jack Daniel’s, Johnnie Walker Black and Remy Martin VSOP, all set out by the bottle. What a beautiful sight! If I had known it was this good a place, I would have come long ago.
The snacks are buffet style too!
I felt a slight urge to skip Japan and just stay in the lounge..
Remy Martin and a light snack
Surprisingly, among the cheaper whisky lines, cognac turned out to be relatively outstanding value for money. It is far smoother and easier to drink than a bourbon or blended whisky of the same class. I had always thought cognac was not much because it lacks body, but if you just enjoy the aroma and flavour, it might actually be better than other whiskies. I will have to look around for a decent cognac once I am in Japan.
Johnnie Walker Black and the breakfast buffet
Once 8 o’clock passed, breakfast suddenly appeared. Before that there had only been some simple snacks. A light whisky with the meal, and I was in full holiday mode before even departing. Even if I am going for work, this is how a trip should begin..
Finally, Jack Daniel’s and a hangover-cure ramyeon
Getting on the plane like this seemed a bit risky, so I had a cup ramyeon as a hangover cure before leaving. The in-flight meal is nothing special, so being able to eat this well here is such a blessing. Thanks to that, I slept soundly on the plane.
The breakfast spread
A lounge service at this level is well worth using. Without the card it is 20,000 won, but if I could use it for two hours instead of one, I would happily pay that much.
The last plate
There were showers and massage chairs too, but sadly this time I went all in on eating and drinking. Next time I will just have a single glass of Remy Martin and rest in a massage chair before I go.
Arrival at Narita Airport
And so the trip to Japan finally begins.
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