Most trips to Singapore with a bit of time include a stop at La Maison du Whisky for an enjoyable hour spent chatting, sampling and slowly deciding which whisky will make the final ‘cut’ for the journey home to Mumbai.
This June 2015 trip was no exception.
La Maison du Whisky, Singapore (Whisky Lady)
Over the years, the gents there have gained a sense of what we enjoy, what will peak our interest and also what we’ve managed to acquire by other means.
- Last trip, I showed a spreadsheet tracking our tasting sessions
- This trip, I could happily show this blog record of our sampling adventures
I’ve shared before how much I appreciate a chance to discover, discuss, sniff and sip before making a final purchasing choice. I prefer to take my time, so deliberately pop by late afternoon when there is more ‘trade traffic’ than ‘customer traffic.’ After all, it isn’t such a bad place to hang around and invariably those that do wander in will lead to an interesting conversational turn or two about a shared passion – whisky and fine spirits.
Our goal this time was:
- Something that cannot be so easily obtained in London far cheaper… given that I would shortly be traveling there
- No repeats of previous whiskies
- At least one in the more mature and complex range
- As always, an unpredictable ‘twist’ is appreciated
I shared how we enjoyed the Ledaig from an earlier trip and confessed we hadn’t yet opened the one selected late 2014 as it was trumped by my Japanese quartet from Tokyo.
Diego started with a rum, just because he recalled that the Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Anejo tequila was such a hit!
Clarin Vaval 52.5% – Small batch Haiti clear rum from Cavallon village, double distilled from ‘Madame Meuze’ cane sugar in 2013. It was a delightful discovery with overripe fruit, hot, tropical and distinctly different. It was like sunshine in a bottle.
Clarin Vaval (Whisky Lady)
We then moved on to two Compass Box whiskies:
- Great King Street Glasgow Blend – My kind of smoky sweet whisky
- Juveniles – Playfully impish, bright, young, fun
Glasgow Blend (Whisky Lady)
We discussed several other whiskies – including suggestions for my London ‘wish list’. I was sorely tempted by this Hazelburn 8 year 1st bottling…
Hazelburn 8 yr (Whisky Lady)
In addition to the whiskies sampled, I’ll admit to sniffing more before finalising my selection for this trip…
What did I pick?
It was the Bunnahabhain 26 years.. part of a special Signatory Session held in February 2016:
- Glenburgie 18 year (1995/2014) Cask No 6451 46%
- Bunnahabhain 26 years (1988/2014) Cask No 1874 48.6%
- Edradour 10 year (2004/2015) Cask No 406 46%
Previous reviews sourced via La Maison du Whisky Singapore:
- Compass Box – Juveniles
- Hakushu 18 year
- Ledaig 1997
- Tapatio Excelencia Gran Reserva Extra Anejo tequila
La Maison du Whisky is located at 80 Mohamed Sultan Road, #01-10 The Pier, Singapore
INFO@WHISKY.SG Tel: 6733 0059
