In search of the perfect dram

SINGAPORE — If you are travelling via Singapore Changi Airport and are wondering if this might be the place to find the perfect dram, rest assured the variety on offer will have both novice and avid drinkers spoiled for choice.

“We will sell a million bottles in the next year,” said a confident Tim DeLessio, president, store operations, DFS, at the launch of its second Wines and Spirits Duplex store at Changi Airport, Singapore.

Located in Terminal 2, this 1,442sqm space boasts three unique DFS in-store concepts — the Wine Reserve, the Cigar Room and The Whiskey House; the last is where anyone can sample more than a hundred whiskies before deciding which on to get. Based on flavour profiles, the staff can design individual sampling experiences for guests to demystify the selection process and make choosing their preferred whiskey a simpler and more engaging experience.

The space, said Brooke Supernaw, DFS Group’s senior vice-president for spirits, wines and tobacco, is where customers “can build their knowledge, expand their palette, discover new brands and fall in love again with the classics”.

The numbers themselves speak volumes: Pick from over 178 single malts, 68 blended Scotch whiskies and more than 30 American alternatives, as well as leading Japanese whiskies Yamazaki, Hibiki and Suntory Chita and Kavalan from Taiwan. Even if you’re planning to splurge, there is, among other highly prized pickings, an S$80,850 bottle of Glenfiddich 50 Year Old.

In short, the duplex aims to offer customers an interactive and engaging shopping experience, allowing them to sample from and explore DFS’ broad assortment of over 900 products from over 240 wines, spirits and tobacco brands.

In fact, there is perhaps no better time to take advantage of the convenience, not to mention the largest assortment of single malt whiskies offered by any travel retailer in the region.

The upper level hosts seven individually branded boutiques from Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Hennessy, Johnnie Walker, Remy Martin, The Dalmore and The Macallan, and throughout the year, guests can enjoy visits from master distillers, blenders and brand ambassadors as well as tailored tastings from the brands inside the boutiques.

From now until Sept 27, DFS is celebrating the launch of the Terminal 2 Wines and Spirits Duplex, with a first-of-its-kind Whiskey Festival, which boasts a series of events on Friday and Saturday evenings (3pm to 5pm at The Whisky House, 5.30pm to 7pm at The Long Bar by Raffles at Terminal 3). This will include visits from various whisky brand ambassadors, special master classes and food pairing sessions.

Ziggy Campbell, BAFTA award winning artist and musician, who is also the Global Brand Ambassador for Craigellachie, is currently in town (today and tomorrow) to share insights into the brand’s travel retail exclusive 19 Year Old.

And on Aug 5 and 6, actor and brand advocate for The Macallan Randall Tan will help its brand trainer for South-east Asia Keith Nair present The Macallan X-Ray II collectable set, which celebrates the spirit of travel.

At the same time, though not limited to the weekends, three complimentary whiskey cocktails representing Scotland, the US and Japan — namely the Blood and Sand featuring Johnnie Walker Island Green Scotch whisky, and Old Fashioned featuring Maker’s Mark bourbon, and a Highball made with The Chita Japanese single grain whisky — will be available for sampling throughout the festival at the Whiskey House at DFS Terminal 2 duplex, and The Long Bar by Raffles at its Terminal 3 duplex.

Other exclusive offerings include a one-off release of the Lagavulin 8 Year Old in celebration of the feted Islay distillery’s 200th anniversary. There is also a single cask edition from The Glenlivet, the 21 Year Old Burrelton to consider — only 214 bottles are available and all are sold exclusively at the Terminal 2 Wines and Spirits Duplex.

More information about the Whiskey Festival can be found at https://www.dfs.com/en/airport-singapore/our-stores/events-and-promotions.