Society by James Whittle: Whisky on the docks in Wan Chai

Wine tastings have become fairly commonplace in the city since the tariff on wine was abolished. Not so, samplings of Scotch whisky. Asia Euro Wines & Spirits held a tasting at Wan Chai's Quarterdeck Club this month to introduce three tipples it recently acquired distribution licences for: Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch.

Local actor Kenny Wong Tak-bun and Canto-pop singer Ella Koon Yan-na turned up to sample the delights. They were joined by Morrison Bowmore Distillers' brand ambassador for Europe and Asia, Gordon Dundas, who shared ways to enjoy the spirits. The celebrities also got a lesson in making whisky cocktails and a lucky few got to taste their concoctions. Koon named hers the "Port Side, Starboard Side" - a sip of the drink confirmed that the songstress definitely has the talent to be a bartender. When asked to name her favourite cocktail, Koon said: "A cosmopolitan, just like Sarah Jessica Parker's character in Sex in the City."

It might seem strange to throw a launch party for a TV commercial. But when you're the company providing the "bling" for the Miss Hong Kong Pageant, a grand event at Central Pier's Watermark restaurant with 20 contestants and local heartthrob Raymond Lam Fung is only natural. The contestants wore figure-hugging black dresses and enough sparkling diamonds from Luk Fook Jewellery to fill a pirate's treasure chest. Still, when asked what he thought was the most vital attribute for a Miss Hong Kong, Lam said "personality".

American cosmetics giant Mary Kay held its "One Woman Can" beauty contest finale at The Space gallery in Sheung Wan on Wednesday, drawing fashion and beauty editors, as well as local fashionistas and socialites. Originally scheduled to take place at Sky100 in West Kowloon's ICC building, the typhoon signal No3 blew that plan aside.