Changi is world’s first airport to get accreditation for whisky appreciation

SINGAPORE — Seeking the perfect dram? Now, staff at Changi Airport’s DFS stores will be able to provide you with “specialised assistance” on whisky appreciation.

Changi Airport has become the first travel retail venue in the world to receive accreditation for whisky appreciation, according to the DFS Group.

To receive the accreditation, sales associates at Changi’s DFS stores had to undergo “extensive training” by The Whisky Ambassador, the UK’s only accredited training course focused solely on whisky, on how whisky is made, tasting and nosing, the history of the drink, the economic impact and culture of whisky as well as customer service.

They were the first DFS staff worldwide to undergo the training, said the DFS Group. Plans are underway to roll out the training at all their outlets worldwide, the company added.

Ms Wilcy Wong, DFS Group’s Managing Director, Singapore and Indonesia, said that the company’s Singapore staff were a “natural” pick as “our Changi Airport store is DFS’ flagship wines and spirits hub, as well as travel retail’s largest assortment of single malt whiskies in Asia Pacific”.

“Now that our Sales Associates are certified Whisky Ambassadors, customers can be confident that whether they are whisky novices or connoisseurs, DFS will provide the highest level of service to meet their needs,” added DFS Group Senior Vice President Spirits, Wines and Tobacco, Brooke Supernaw.

DFS opened a wines and spirits duplex store at Changi Airport’s Terminal 3 last May. The store has more than 1,400 products from over 440 spirits, wine and tobacco brands, with 110 single malt products from 50 brands, the largest assortment of single malts available in travel retail in the Asia Pacific.

“With this accreditation, the opportunity to experience the mysteries and allure of the Scotch whisky in a deep way in our liquor stores definitely sets Changi Airport apart,” said Ms Teo Chew Hoon, Changi Airport Group’s Senior Vice President Airside Concessions.