Spirits
Spirits are the highest ABV products of the alcohol family and as a result have the greatest capability to age, far beyond most fine wines. Cognac and other types of Brandy have long been collectible, with a bottle from the 1762 vintage selling at auction in 2020 for $1,500,000, and rare, aged Rums have started breaking into the mainstream but fine whisky is certainly the most desirable spirit on the world right now.
Whisky can be made in a variety of styles and is mostly produced in Japan, Ireland, the United States and most prominently, Scotland. Single malt Scotch Whisky is extremely collectible and is one of the most sought-after in the world, with the The Macallan's top releases being the pinnacle.
Fortified wines are not categorised as spirits, yet they contain a distilled spirit, usually brandy, to stop fermentation and “fortify” the wine. Port and Sherry are two of the most well-known and popular examples of fortified wines.
Spirits
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Scotland | 1 | - |
Inc. GST
SG$36,275.15 |
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One of the hottest commodities on the cask market over the past year is assuredly The Glenrothes. Stablemate to Macallan and Highland Park and under the masterful guidance of Gordon Motion who took the reins in 2009, there are few Speysiders which have the reputation for longevity and excellence as The Glenrothes. After a rapturous reception to our recent offering of the 2011s and a follow up of 2012, we are pleased that we can offer a last butt of 2013 to our customers as well. Glenrothes is best known as a sherry-aged Speysider and this cask shows why that reputation is so justified; taking the best elements of the wood and developing into a thoroughly impressive malt. Having spent the last decade in first fill butts and taking on some remarkable characteristics as well as impressive depth of colour, they are nothing short of blue chip casks in the early days of their trajectory. Stored at Glenrothes distillery since distillation, this has not been regauged hence the cask being listed with OLA details but a sample drawn has indicated excellent colour extraction and a recent regauge of the 2011 casks we purchased registered RLA 262.5 which is par for the course on a 1st fill Sherry butt and we would expect this to be regauged in the coming weeks between 262 and 285 RLA or thereabouts with an ABV in the low to mid 60s, indicating excellent longevity. Tasting Note Glenrothes’ spirit generally sports a clear barley-driven aromatic profile the key to this cask’s appeal is the classically oily, muscular structure that has become a hallmark of Glenrothes’ extremely age-worthy spirit over the years. The sherry wood is working wonders inregards to the develoment of a complex, decadent flavour profile as well as colour; a not insignificant element of the overall experience, so be sure. |
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Porto | 1 | 94 (WS) |
Inc. GST
SG$455.84 |
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Wine Spectator (94)This is an extremely full-bodied, powerful wine, but it still retains a classy balance. Deep ruby, with chocolate and berry aromas, full-bodied, with anise and dried cherry flavors, full, hard tannins and a long finish. Good now but a few more yearsof bottle age would improve it. Best from 1990 through 1993. -JS |
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Porto | 4 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. GST
SG$1,665.96 |
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Vinous (95)The 1994 Graham’s Vintage Port, which incidentally carries quite noticeable sediment, as there is no fining or filtration, is beginning to show a little bricking on the rim. The bouquet is very harmonious and welcoming, featuring aromas of mulberry, roasted chestnut, pressed rose petals, autumn leaves and a hint of liquorice. The nose is not powerful; rather, it displays a brooding intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and lightly spiced with clove, pain d’épices and again, a scintilla of liquorice. Though it obviously has another 20 or 30 years in the tank, this mellow Graham’s is drinking beautifully now. Tasted at the Symington Tawny Port tasting at the Tower of London. |
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Porto | 1 | 95 (WA) |
Inc. GST
SG$585.55 |
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Wine Advocate (95)Violets, roses, spices, and candied dark fruits emanate from the glass of the murky black/purple colored 2003 Graham Vintage Port. After four days of air, this wine’s aromatics sweetened further, displaying jammy blackberry and blueberry scents. Bold, full-bodied, and expansive, the Graham benefited the most from extensive contact with air of all the 2003s tasted for this report. This opulently jammy wine assaults the palate with powerful yet soft layers of oily, candied red fruits as well as notes of tar and hints of mocha. A highly concentrated effort, it is creamy textured, suave, and reveals an admirably long finish filled with additional layers of dark fruits intermingled with spices. Projected maturity: 2030-2055. |
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Porto | 3 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. GST
SG$609.53 |
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James Suckling (99)Extremely complex aromas that show the classic Graham character of black-fruit marmalade and burnt oranges. Follows through to a full body with great grip at the finish. Lightly sweet. Chewy and powerful. Such a focus at the end. |
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Porto | 1 | 98 (DC) |
Inc. GST
SG$608.44 |
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Decanter (98)Based on Touriga Franca from south-facing slopes at Quinta dos Malvedos, with Touriga Nacional from quintas Vila Velha and Vale de Mealhadas (both predominantly north-facing), topped out with fruit from old vines at Quinta da Tua and 10% Sousão. It's a very deep blue-black colour with an expressive, super-ripe nose of plum, mint and bergamot which springs from the glass. The palate is rich, velvety and voluptuous in typical Graham’s style. The initial richness makes the tannins, which show up on the ripe, broad, mouthwatering finish. Wonderful purity and definition. A real wow of a wine! 3.9 Baumé. |
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Yamanashi | 1 | - |
Inc. GST
SG$301.37 |
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Colour: Fine, polished brass. Aroma: Delicate and grassy with a bright orchard fruit profile, reminiscent at first of Speyside but developing a unique persimmon complexity. Taste: Exceptional purity rivalled by few if any others. A fine salinity balanced by bright satsuma citrus notes makes for a sweet, ethereal palate. Finish: For such a light, balanced whisky the finish is exceptionally long and complex. The persimmon on the nose comes back for an encore, taking a final bow with notes of ginger, allspice and bay. |
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1 | - |
Inc. GST
SG$1,136.61 |
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Hampden Pagos Pure Single Jamaican Rum NV epitomises the rich heritage of Jamaica’s rum craftsmanship. Distilled at the Hampden Pagos estate in the heart of Jamaica, this exceptional spirit is crafted using traditional pot stills, ensuring a full-bodied and robust character. The rum is produced from the finest locally sourced molasses, fermented with a unique blend of yeast strains that impart complex esters and tropical fruit nuances. Aged meticulously in American oak barrels, it matures gracefully over several years, absorbing subtle vanilla and spicy undertones while retaining its distinctive Jamaican persona. Under the stewardship of the esteemed Hampden Pagos Distillery, renowned for their commitment to quality and authenticity, this single rum offers a sublime balance of sweetness and depth, making it a distinguished choice for connoisseurs seeking a genuine expression of Jamaican rum excellence. |
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Cognac | 1 | 91 (VN) |
Inc. GST
SG$3,540.10 |
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Vinous (91)Like all Hennessy blends, the age is hard to pin down. I’m told by the brand ambassador that there are 100 eaux-de-vie in the blend, with “an average 25 to 100 years old.” In any case, it’s fresh and vibrant for its age, deep copper in color, featuring aromas of dried fruit, honey and candied citrus. In the mouth, it’s opulent, round and creamy, offering lots of warm citrus and ripe tropical fruit, and a touch of walnut and spice on the finish. It’s pleasant, no doubt, and it comes in a fancy bottle. But at the price, the liquid itself just doesn’t deliver value. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Scotland | 1 | - |
In Bond
SG$28,000.00 |
|||||
|
One of the hottest commodities on the cask market over the past year is assuredly The Glenrothes. Stablemate to Macallan and Highland Park and under the masterful guidance of Gordon Motion who took the reins in 2009, there are few Speysiders which have the reputation for longevity and excellence as The Glenrothes. After a rapturous reception to our recent offering of the 2011s and a follow up of 2012, we are pleased that we can offer a last butt of 2013 to our customers as well. Glenrothes is best known as a sherry-aged Speysider and this cask shows why that reputation is so justified; taking the best elements of the wood and developing into a thoroughly impressive malt. Having spent the last decade in first fill butts and taking on some remarkable characteristics as well as impressive depth of colour, they are nothing short of blue chip casks in the early days of their trajectory. Stored at Glenrothes distillery since distillation, this has not been regauged hence the cask being listed with OLA details but a sample drawn has indicated excellent colour extraction and a recent regauge of the 2011 casks we purchased registered RLA 262.5 which is par for the course on a 1st fill Sherry butt and we would expect this to be regauged in the coming weeks between 262 and 285 RLA or thereabouts with an ABV in the low to mid 60s, indicating excellent longevity. Tasting Note Glenrothes’ spirit generally sports a clear barley-driven aromatic profile the key to this cask’s appeal is the classically oily, muscular structure that has become a hallmark of Glenrothes’ extremely age-worthy spirit over the years. The sherry wood is working wonders inregards to the develoment of a complex, decadent flavour profile as well as colour; a not insignificant element of the overall experience, so be sure. |
|||||||||
|
|
Porto | 1 | 94 (WS) |
In Bond
SG$405.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (94)This is an extremely full-bodied, powerful wine, but it still retains a classy balance. Deep ruby, with chocolate and berry aromas, full-bodied, with anise and dried cherry flavors, full, hard tannins and a long finish. Good now but a few more yearsof bottle age would improve it. Best from 1990 through 1993. -JS |
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|
|
Porto | 4 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
SG$1,370.00 |
|||||
Vinous (95)The 1994 Graham’s Vintage Port, which incidentally carries quite noticeable sediment, as there is no fining or filtration, is beginning to show a little bricking on the rim. The bouquet is very harmonious and welcoming, featuring aromas of mulberry, roasted chestnut, pressed rose petals, autumn leaves and a hint of liquorice. The nose is not powerful; rather, it displays a brooding intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and lightly spiced with clove, pain d’épices and again, a scintilla of liquorice. Though it obviously has another 20 or 30 years in the tank, this mellow Graham’s is drinking beautifully now. Tasted at the Symington Tawny Port tasting at the Tower of London. |
|||||||||
|
|
Porto | 1 | 95 (WA) |
In Bond
SG$458.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95)Violets, roses, spices, and candied dark fruits emanate from the glass of the murky black/purple colored 2003 Graham Vintage Port. After four days of air, this wine’s aromatics sweetened further, displaying jammy blackberry and blueberry scents. Bold, full-bodied, and expansive, the Graham benefited the most from extensive contact with air of all the 2003s tasted for this report. This opulently jammy wine assaults the palate with powerful yet soft layers of oily, candied red fruits as well as notes of tar and hints of mocha. A highly concentrated effort, it is creamy textured, suave, and reveals an admirably long finish filled with additional layers of dark fruits intermingled with spices. Projected maturity: 2030-2055. |
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|
|
Porto | 3 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
SG$480.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (99)Extremely complex aromas that show the classic Graham character of black-fruit marmalade and burnt oranges. Follows through to a full body with great grip at the finish. Lightly sweet. Chewy and powerful. Such a focus at the end. |
|||||||||
|
|
Porto | 1 | 98 (DC) |
In Bond
SG$479.00 |
|||||
Decanter (98)Based on Touriga Franca from south-facing slopes at Quinta dos Malvedos, with Touriga Nacional from quintas Vila Velha and Vale de Mealhadas (both predominantly north-facing), topped out with fruit from old vines at Quinta da Tua and 10% Sousão. It's a very deep blue-black colour with an expressive, super-ripe nose of plum, mint and bergamot which springs from the glass. The palate is rich, velvety and voluptuous in typical Graham’s style. The initial richness makes the tannins, which show up on the ripe, broad, mouthwatering finish. Wonderful purity and definition. A real wow of a wine! 3.9 Baumé. |
|||||||||
|
|
Yamanashi | 1 | - |
In Bond
SG$250.00 |
|||||
|
Colour: Fine, polished brass. Aroma: Delicate and grassy with a bright orchard fruit profile, reminiscent at first of Speyside but developing a unique persimmon complexity. Taste: Exceptional purity rivalled by few if any others. A fine salinity balanced by bright satsuma citrus notes makes for a sweet, ethereal palate. Finish: For such a light, balanced whisky the finish is exceptionally long and complex. The persimmon on the nose comes back for an encore, taking a final bow with notes of ginger, allspice and bay. |
|||||||||
|
|
1 | - |
In Bond
SG$821.00 |
||||||
|
Hampden Pagos Pure Single Jamaican Rum NV epitomises the rich heritage of Jamaica’s rum craftsmanship. Distilled at the Hampden Pagos estate in the heart of Jamaica, this exceptional spirit is crafted using traditional pot stills, ensuring a full-bodied and robust character. The rum is produced from the finest locally sourced molasses, fermented with a unique blend of yeast strains that impart complex esters and tropical fruit nuances. Aged meticulously in American oak barrels, it matures gracefully over several years, absorbing subtle vanilla and spicy undertones while retaining its distinctive Jamaican persona. Under the stewardship of the esteemed Hampden Pagos Distillery, renowned for their commitment to quality and authenticity, this single rum offers a sublime balance of sweetness and depth, making it a distinguished choice for connoisseurs seeking a genuine expression of Jamaican rum excellence. |
|||||||||
|
|
Cognac | 1 | 91 (VN) |
In Bond
SG$3,195.00 |
|||||
Vinous (91)Like all Hennessy blends, the age is hard to pin down. I’m told by the brand ambassador that there are 100 eaux-de-vie in the blend, with “an average 25 to 100 years old.” In any case, it’s fresh and vibrant for its age, deep copper in color, featuring aromas of dried fruit, honey and candied citrus. In the mouth, it’s opulent, round and creamy, offering lots of warm citrus and ripe tropical fruit, and a touch of walnut and spice on the finish. It’s pleasant, no doubt, and it comes in a fancy bottle. But at the price, the liquid itself just doesn’t deliver value. |
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