The International Whisky Competition has spoken.
The International Whisky Competition has spoken.
Age statements are falling off bottles at an increasingly unapologetic rate, and if you still need a reminder as to why that doesn’t signify the end of the world as you know it, just look up the results of the 2016 International Whisky Competition. Not only are there more bottles without statements than with, the overall winner for Whisky of the Year goes to the Glenmorangie Signet.
The Signet, like all no-age-statement whiskies, would prefer to remain coy about its age, though it was revealed that 30- to 40-year-old spirits were used in its creation. Its defining characteristic, however, is that it uses a portion of chocolate malt, which gets its name from the way it’s tumble-roasted the same way coffee and cocoa beans are. All together, the Signet presents aromas of chocolate, coffee, mint and fruit. The taste is sweet with spice, and finishes with mint and lemon.
Available exclusively at Le Vigne Wines & Spirits, 72 Namly Place. Tel: 6314-1597.
HEAD OF THE GLASS
The Cufflink Club has launched a monthly rotating bar menu (available Mondays to Thursdays) to showcase more adventurous mixology by the Cufflink team, as well as founder Joel Fraser’s bartending pals around the world. We were in time to try the Milk Punch by Davide Segat – bar manager of The Punch Room in London – which was a tropical mixture of rum, arrack, apple brandy, cognac, citrus, spices and clarified milk. Fraser’s own Picante Negroni (capsicum gin, Campari, vermouth, lemon oils) also made the list – and ours. 6 Jiak Chuan Road.
BARE ESSENTIAL
It’s no secret that whisky is a big thing here now, but it seems people are loudest when it comes to their single malt preferences. The Naked Grouse should change that. Marketed as The Famous Grouse’s “premium” offering with the flavours to back it up, the label-less bottle holds a spirit (taken from sister distilleries The Macallan, Highland Park and The Glenturret) that has been aged in sherry casks. It opens with a nose of spiced vanilla that leads into a palate of dried fruit and cinnamon. www.whiskymarketplace.sg
