The festive season is typically marked with booze. Lots of booze. From whisky, cognac to wine, we have got you covered with the latest tipple releases to bring to parties, as well as gift ideas to get alcohol-loving friends in high spirits.
The second release in Royal Salute’s Couture Collection, the House of Quinn by Richard Quinn celebrates the pursuit of craft in the fashion and whisky industries. Each hand-blown black Dartington crystal decanter is hand-painted with a new floral motif by the British designer and matched in vivacity by an expressive blend of whisky by Sandy Hyslop, the legend behind the distiller’s exceptionally aged expressions.
Marketing Director Mathieu Deslandes, tells us about the limited 200-bottle release.
Tell us about this collaboration.
Richard was extremely involved in the partnership, having spent time learning about Royal Salute and fully immersing himself in the brand world. He gathered inspiration from what we do to fuse with his style to design a bespoke print. It’s been a pleasure to work with him. While Richard took inspiration from the brand, Sandy took inspiration from Richard when blending this expression. He selected some of the finest and rarest aged malt whiskies from across Scotland, including some laid down in Richard’s birth year, to create the enchanting floral profile. It is a nod to the elegance of the rose petals and the edge of the thorns on the exterior of the flagon.
How should we best enjoy a dram?
The Royal Salute House of Quinn by Richard Quinn has a delicately floral flavour profile and is perfect when enjoyed neat or with a little ice or water to release the depth of flavour. Additionally, the design of the flagon makes it an amazing centrepiece on any table, so it lends itself to being enjoyed in celebratory moments. I hope that anyone who raises a dram with those they love will feel a sense of warmth and happiness.
Whisky is increasingly served with food or small bites. Which pairings have worked best for you?
Pairing whisky with food opens up new flavours and delicious contrasts, elevating the whisky-tasting experience. Dark chocolate is a favourite of mine; a good quality one containing 70 percent cocoa solids enhances the sweet, dry oak notes of Royal Salute 21 Year Old Signature Blend. Strawberries also pair well with floral whiskies like the Signature Blend, as their sweet flavour perfectly complements the whisky’s delicate vanilla and clove notes.
More info: le-cercle.sg.
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When Maison Rémy Martin’s Cellar Master and Firmenich’s Principal Perfumer collaborate, what happens? With their mutual respect for the terroir and time-honed expertise, they select the finest blossoms and raw materials that are then aged in small oak casks. The result is Maison Psyché, an ultra-exclusive perfume brand launched by Rémy Cointreau. In Baccarat crystal, each fragrance is a collector’s piece, and “their discovery will be an incredible experience reserved for an exclusive clientele on a confidential basis”.
Countdown to Christmas with 24 award-winning single malts and single grains and blends. In this Advent gift, each door reveals a wax-sealed miniature sourced from distilleries around the world, both big names as well as independents, such as Highland Single Malt, Blair Athol and St. Thomas Blended Whisky. Each dram is different, so this festive sampler is ideal for both the seasoned whisky drinker and the newcomer to the alluring whirl of whisky.
More info: ecproof.com
The iconic LOUIS XIII, is now available by THE DROP; specifically, a centilitre hit of the liquid gold. Fun and playful, the highly portable time capsule — the eaux de vie dates back a century — can even be carried on a shoulder strap in different colours. THE DROP is available by the unit or in a box of five bottles. In conjunction with its release, LOUIS XIII is staging its first immersive retail experience in South-east Asia at Design Orchard from Dec 3 till New Year’s Day, 2023.
The Coravin Pivot Wine Preservation System might come in handy if you’re monitoring your wine consumption, or enjoy alternating between bottles. Unlike previous, pricier, Coravin systems, this does not pierce through the cork with a needle to ensure the wine’s seal. Instead, open the bottle as you normally do, insert the stopper and device, and pour yourself a glass of wine. Food-grade argon delivered through the device ensures your bottle keeps in its freshly opened condition for up to four weeks.
More info: coravin.sg
The second edition of the Macallan Harmony Collection might delight you if you’re a coffee aficionado. Inspired by Ethiopian Arabica coffee beans, Macallan’s Whisky Maker Steven Bremner crafted this whisky from a combination of American and European oak casks to pair well with coffee. On the nose, there are subtle hints of aromatic coffee scents accompanied by tiramisu and vanilla. The coffee taste becomes more pronounced after a few sips and the finish is sweet and balanced with notes reminiscent of dark roast coffee.
In conjunction with this release, Macallan team is hosting a pop-up event at Raffles Hotel Singapore from 9 December to 18 December. The public can sample the whisky and learn more about its zero-waste production process. It is open to the public via online reservation.
More info: The Macallan
Additional reporting by Alyssa Chung
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