SINGAPORE. DFS Group, in partnership with Changi Airport Group, hosted its annual Masters of Wines and Spirits event in Singapore over the weekend (23–24 March). Now in its eighth edition, the event showcased a curated collection of 140 rare and fine whiskies, wines, Cognacs and Champagnes.
More than 1,000 local and international guests – including The Moodie Davitt Report* – attended the event, which was held at Singapore’s state-of-the-art complex, Infinite Studios. Guests were invited on an immersive and interactive journey to discover each of the brands through engaging video art installations and digital projections as well as a variety of tasting experiences.
This year’s theme of ‘Masters at Work’ paid homage to those who have acquired complete knowledge or skill in a subject, technique or art form, and “whose passionate commitment to their task continues to raise the bar for all others in the field”, said DFS.
During the weekend, DFS celebrated six masters across a spectrum of backgrounds: Brooke Supernaw of DFS as Master of Curation, Ewan Gunn of Diageo as Master of Whisky, Sarah Burgess of The Macallan as Master of Malt, Fabrice Papin of Château Lafite Rothschild as Master of Wine, Hidetsugu Ueno of Bar High Five as Master of Cocktails, and DJ Arthur Bray as Master of Music.
The event also featured four masterclasses hosted by the category masters.
‘Masters of Malt’, hosted by The Macallan Whisky Maker Sarah Burgess, saw guests taste premium and exclusive products such as The Macallan Enigma and The Macallan M Decanter.
‘Masters of Wine’, presented by Château Lafite Rothschild International Brand Ambassador Fabrice Papin, took guests through a full-range tasting of eight different wines from Domaines Barons de Rothschild Châteaux.
‘Masters of Blending’, led by Diageo Global Whisky Master Ewan Gunn, saw guests taste Caol Ila 35yo, Port Ellen 39yo and Johnnie Walker Blue Ghost and Rare.
‘Masters of Cocktails’, hosted by Japanese mixologist and Spirited Awards World’s Best Bartender 2016, Hidetsugu Ueno, explored Japanese craft of spirits and included a cocktail-making session featuring whisky, sake and gin.
DFS Group Senior Vice President Wines, Spirits, Tobacco, Food and Gifts Brooke Supernaw commented: “This year’s Masters of Wines and Spirits once again showcases the extensive expertise of DFS’s merchant team in curating a world-class, bespoke collection and bringing together the world’s most sought-after wines and spirits and their brand ambassadors. Our ability to present such an unrivalled and illustrious assortment of highly collectable and exclusive products would not be possible without the longstanding partners and relationships we hold dear.”
Changi Airport Group Senior Vice President for Airside Concessions Teo Chew Hoon said: “Changi Airport is honoured to host the latest annual edition of the Masters of Wines and Spirits here in Singapore. Through our long-term partnership with DFS, we strive to delight our passengers with unique experiences and look forward to showcasing another outstanding and rare collection that can only be found at Changi.”
The 140-piece strong curation features collectable items such as the oldest whisky ever released by The Macallan family, The Macallan 72yo in Lalique – The Genesis Decanter; a set of three rare vintages, The Château Lafite Rothschild Double Magnum Collection; and a one-of-a-kind bottle produced from the owner’s original stocks – Port Ellen 39yo.
The full 2019 Masters of Wines and Spirits Collection will be available for purchase at Changi Airport from today (25 March). The range will be showcased at Terminals 2 and 3 through a series of activations until the end of April.
A smaller, curated collection will be available later this year at T Galleria by DFS in Hong Kong and Macau.
DFS’s Masters of Wines and Spirits 2019 Collection
As reported, more than 80 Cognacs and Whiskies make up this year’s collection and include The Dalmore Constellation Vintage 1973 Drinking Cabinet, a bespoke and handcrafted cabinet commissioned by Richard Paterson, containing The Constellation Vintage 1973 (cask no.10).
The Bunnahabhain 39yo Spanish Octave Finish is an exclusive limited edition piece that forms part of the new Bunnahabhain Element Series, and another highlight is the DFS-exclusive Caol Ila 35yo.
The Glenfiddich 45yo is an exclusive blend for DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits. Possibly the last ever cask of Karuizawa Single Malt to be bottled in Japan is the Karuizawa Single Cask 1995.
The Macallan presents The Macallan 72yo in Lalique – The Genesis Decanter, the oldest whisky ever released by the Macallan family in commemoration of the opening of its new Distillery and Visitor Experience in 2018. Presented in a bespoke limited-edition crystal decanter handcrafted by Lalique, the whisky celebrates the collaboration of masters from across the fields of whisky, crystal, architecture, construction and craftsmanship, noted DFS.
Also from the Macallan family comes The Macallan Fine & Rare Decades Collection. Created exclusively for DFS, the collection features five Fine & Rare vintages from 1938, 1947, 1954, 1965 and 1976, each drawn from a single cask, denoting key historical events for the year.
In addition, The Glenlivet is presenting The Glenlivet Winchester Collection, a limited-edition release of three rare and precious 50yo single malt Scotch whiskies from 1964, 1966 and 1967.
In wine, DFS presents more than 60 collections including The Château Lafite Rothschild Double Magnum Collection, which presents a rare opportunity to collect three of the great vintages produced by the estate in big formats. Also on show is The Château Mouton Rothschild Magnum Collection, a six-vintage magnum set of exceptional vintages from 1988 to 2009.
The Penfolds 2015 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon Imperial is described as “a true representation of the Penfolds ‘House Style’. In addition, brand owner Treasury Wines Estates is offering a luxury wine travel experience to the home of Penfolds. The four-day, three-night bespoke travel itinerary includes a dinner at the Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant hosted by Penfolds Chief Winemaker, Peter Gago.
The Continuum Tim Mondavi Library Vertical Selection presents a vertical flight of Continuum vintages from 2010 through 2015.
A highlight from Champagne is Piper-Heidsieck’s Rare Le Secret Magnum Vintage 1997 with Emerald, Ruby and Sapphire. Inspired by Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, Rare Le Secret High Jewellery is embellished with a one-carat precious stone and interwoven golden bands set with 510 diamonds. It has been in the cellar of Rare Champagne Cellar Master Régis Camus for more than 20 years.
DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits is part of the DFS Masters Series, a signature programme of exhibitions around the world. The Masters Series is a showcase of the pinnacle for DFS across its five pillars of luxury: Wines and Spirits, Beauty and Fragrances, Watches and Jewellery, Fashion and Accessories, and Food and Gifts.
*Footnote: The Moodie Davitt Report was on location at Masters of Wines and Spirits 2019 – check out our Instagram post here and our Story Highlight ‘MOWS 2019’ here.
Stay tuned for interviews with DFS Group Senior Vice President Wines, Spirits, Tobacco, Food and Gifts Brooke Supernaw and Château Lafite Rothschild International Brand Ambassador Fabrice Papin.
