SINGAPORE. Changi Airport Group will present its inaugural World of Wines and Spirits (WOWS) partnership with Lotte Duty Free from 30 September to 31 December.
#WorldOfWinesAndSpirits will showcase what Changi Airport Group (CAG) called the world’s most internationally acclaimed, exclusive and premium wines and spirits. The eclectic selection features more than 200 outstanding expressions from more than 75 brands, including first-in-the-region rarities from renowned labels.
Throughout this period, wines and spirits aficionados will be welcomed to purchase from a curated selection on the WOWS online portal (http://wows.changiairport.com) from 30 September. The extensive e-catalogue includes rare gems from esteemed labels such as Bowmore, The Macallan, Midleton, The Singleton and Penfolds.
WOWS patrons can expect a personalised shopping experience, Changi Airport said. Once interest in an item has been indicated, a Changi Airport or Lotte shopping concierge will reach out to serve them, facilitating queries and payment over WhatsApp, phone call, or in person.
From 14 to 24 October, VIPs from Changi Rewards, Lotte and other Changi partners will be exclusively invited to an online auction held on the WOWS portal. Two of the most-prized items in the world of spirits from brands including Hennessy will be up for bid, starting at S$225,000 (US$158,000) and SG$130,000 (US$91,500) respectively.
Following the auction, VIPs will be hosted at the exclusive WOWS signature event from 28 to 30 October, held at the magnificent Jewel Changi Airport (home to The Trinity Forum Gala Dinner on 2 November, courtesy of CAG).
The prestigious three-day, invitation-only event will be an “experiential feast for the senses”, CAG pledged, featuring masterclasses hosted by industry experts, artistic performances, and tastings from a selected range of rare and fine items.
“We are thrilled to present the first-ever World of Wines and Spirits signature event here at Changi Airport,” said Changi Airport Group Executive Vice President, Commercial Lim Peck Hoon.
“Liquor is one of the best-selling categories among our travellers and we have been working with many brands and partners to bring in the most sought-after wines and spirits from around the world. WOWS is a culmination of our efforts and we look forward to offering our passengers access to a unique collection of some of the world’s rarest and finest products.
“The Lotte team has specially curated an excellent collection for WOWS. We are eager to see this brilliant collaboration with Changi Airport Group and our suppliers come to full fruition,” said Lotte Duty Free Singapore Managing Director Edward Im. “This event is a vital milestone for Lotte and we look forward to keeping the momentum going on future projects like WOWS.”
Highlights of the WOWS catalogue
Wines & spirits epicureans can look forward to these highlights and over 200 other choice wines and spirits on the WOWS portal, available for purchase at tax and duty-free prices until 31 December.
The only bottle in the region (out of 100 bottles produced worldwide) will retail exclusively for S$130,000 (US$91,500).
The bottle is part of Bowmore’s Arc series celebrating its oldest single malt whisky, with leading design and innovation from Aston Martin.
Matured for 52 years in a marriage of two cask styles, the ARC-52 is married in two exact parts – 50% for an American Oak Hogshead and 50% from a European Oak Butt.
Tales of The Macallan Volume 1 is a homage to Captain John Grant, whose contribution paved the way for The Macallan and who brought the influence of nature and community spirit to the brand’s renowned single malt.
Encased in a Lalique crystal decanter, the rare 1950 whisky is concealed within an extraordinary book telling the story of John Grant and featuring beautiful illustrations by renowned illustrator, Andrew Davidson. Only 350 bottles have been produced worldwide and one bottle will retail exclusively at WOWS for S$120,000 (US$84,500).
A ‘silent’ distillery is one which has closed its doors and has been lost to ages past, making their rare bottlings highly sought-after. Midleton Distillery turned its keys for the last time in 1975, which makes this 47-year-old edition a truly rare gem, CAG and Lotte Duty Free said.
Part of the Maison Hennessy Editions Rares collection, the expression marries founder Richard Hennessy’s most exclusive blend with world-renowned Berluti’s masterpiece of luxury leather craftsmanship.
The Richard Hennessy blend is produced in extremely limited quantities of 12 tierçons per year, using some of the world’s scarcest eaux-de-vie, which have been carefully selected and preserved in Hennessy’s Founder’s Cellar. The case comes with a custom-made cardholder that is stamped with Hennessy and Berluti’s logos.
With only 235 bottles produced worldwide, a single decanter of the highly sought-after The Singleton 54 Paragon of Time II, Single Malt Scotch Whisky will be retailed at WOWS for S$56,800 (US$39,970.
Aged for 54 years, this dram celebrates a precious oak butt cask that was slowly hand-filled in Dufftown back in 1966 and sealed in time, then given a final maturation using a Pedro-Ximenez seasoned cask. This long-matured whisky is described as a beautiful balance of the old art of craft and modern finishing to present a precious product of layered, balanced and exceptional richness.
The components were married immediately post vintage, completing 19 months maturation as a blend in French oak hogsheads. This wine will reward careful cellaring for several decades.
One bottle will retail exclusively at WOWS for S$20,288 (US$14,280). Prices indicated above are tax and duty free for eligible travellers with a valid boarding pass and passport at point of purchase and collection. Tax and duties will apply for purchases made by a non-traveller. A selected range will be sold at tax and duty-paid prices.
