Whisky is one of those things that can grow with you in different stages of your life; from the guzzling down bottles after bottles when you just turned 18 (where I live this is the drinking age), and when you’re older and been through life quite a bit, it can be that friend that sits with you at the fireplace in accompanying silence.

Whisky Journey 2020, organised by The Whisky Store, was meant to be a convention show sometime in May this year; of course now we know that the pandemic has all but shuttered that plan. Hence it was transformed into a 10-day bar and restaurant trail. Not an entirely new concept, but certainly one that is refreshing in these times.

From Stalwarts to New Entrants

From 11-20 December 2020, visit all 15 of the participating venues (list at the end of the article) to receive a dram of whisky from a curated selection of distilleries, and a stamp in your “passport”. Finish the passport and hand it in to any of these 3 bars (Copper, Malts & Quiach South Beach) no later than 22 Dec 2020, 10:30pm, and qualify for the Whisky Journey Trailblazer Contest. Stand to win exclusive bottles, collectible gifts and vouchers!

This inaugural event features old-timer bars like Wala-Wala and Cable Car 1890’s Saloon, and bars that are new or quite off the beaten track such as Malts, #WLJK, SIlvermalt and many others.

Copper X Duncan Taylor

We started our journey at Copper, situated in Lanson Place off Penang Road. Although smack in the middle of Orchard Area, its inconspicuous facade means that it’s not one of the popular hangout spots of late. In fact, it’s round the corner from a very popular nightlife bar.

There, we were introduced to Duncan Taylor, a multiaward winning distillery with 75 years of history as a blender, bottler and cask broker, and now one of the most dynamic and innovative Scotch Whisky companies. Look out for the Black Bull Kyloe, a cask strength blend with a really complex flavour, and the Octave Glenallachie 2008 Whisky Journey Exclusive, which is surprisingly platable despite its 54.1% ABV. Perfect to pair with some savoury bar bites!

Malts X Glencadam

Being just opened this year, malts is one of hiding spots for the busy executive to enjoy a tipple after work, while still enjoying the impeccable service and whisky collection. With an adventurous chef at hand, they also have a delectable menu to pair with your drink, such as the papaya salad, Chinese-style prawns, roast beef and a signature lamb chop that is marinated for days and then grilled to greatness.

Being one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, Glencadam Distillery is old school meets new world, sticking to their traditions of making highland whiskey. Look out for the Glencadam 1825 “The Rather Elegant”, a homage to their heritage, and my personal favourite, the 18 years “The Rather Polished” which was described as “A warm hug from grandpa”, with a surprising note of a familiar flavour to many. As someone told me, tasting notes might give you a bias on what you actually taste, so give it a go before reading the bottle!

A Malt to Remember

Being an admittedly novice at whisky (I’m more of a craft beer person), I found the concept very newbie-friendly and not intimidating at all. Perhaps it was also a blessing in disguise that the trail had to happen the way it is; you can now pace yourself over a few days instead of jam-packing a convention hall the reverberating noise of a crowd may not be the most conducive environment to learn about one of the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage.

So why not malt over to these 15 bars to have an eye-opener of a journey? Whether you want to casually enjoy a dram, or to nerd out with your fellow whisky geeks, there’s something definitely for everyone.

Be sure to check out their website to see their exclusive whiskys just for this event! You can also purchase bottles from the respective bars at prices never before seen, as low as S$104!

More Information

Whisky Journey will be carried out in accordance to existing government regulations with temperature screening and social distancing restrictions in place. To ensure that guests will have the opportunity to enjoy their free whisky drams, free pours will be extended beyond the event till 30 December 2020 at selected partner bars. Guests are also encouraged to make reservations before visiting each partner bar or restaurant as well.

Whisky Journey will be held from 11-20 December 2020 at various participating bars and restaurants across Singapore.

All passes are available for purchase at whiskyjourney.com.sg.

Ticket passes are available at $38 online, with passes priced at $45 each at the door. Pass holders will be entitled to a free Glencairn whisky glass, a Whisky Journey passport and a free 10ml tasting dram at each participating bar and restaurant. All guests will also have the opportunity to buy additional drams from only $2, access to industry experts, exclusive access to Whisky Journey bottlings, and many fringe activities.

To ensure you can get your drams, some bars extend their tastings till 30 December 2020, although you won’t be able to enter the Trailblazer contest by then. Just remember your passports and tasting glass!

Participating Distilleries:

• Bunnahabhain
• Cù Bòcan
• Currach
• Deanston
• Duncan Taylor
• Glencadam
• Glen Scotia
• Inchmoan
• Inchmurrin
• Kalak
• Ledaig
• Loch Lomond
• Ornabrak
• Paul John
• The Lakes Distillery
• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
• Tobermory
• Tomatin
• Tomintoul

Participating Bars and Restaurants:

• Cable Car 1890’s Saloon
• Copper
• FOC
• Jiu Zhuang
• Joo Bar
• Malts
• Quaich Bar South Beach
• Silvermalt
• S L A T E.
• The Cooperage
• The Other Roof
• The Writing Club
• Tom Dick & Hillary’s
• Wala Wala Café Bar
• #WLJK

This feature is brought to you by Whisky Journey 2020 by The Whisky Store.

Editor’s note: As part of ongoing COVID-19 Safe Management Measures, your safety and health during your visit is important to the venues. You will be required to adhere to SMM actions such as SafeEntry, and social distancing. Stay safe, fellow otters!

The post Whisky Journey 2020 – Distill My Child appeared first on You Otter Go There.

It’s the most Whisk-derful time of the year

This holiday season, revel in an all-new whisky experience with Whisky Journey, Singapore’s first island-wide bar and restaurant whisky trail.

As a 10-day celebration of whisky culture and Singapore’s F&B scene, Whisky Journey will see 15 restaurants and bars partnering international whisky distilleries to offer unique tasting menus, whisky pairings and an around-the-world whisky tour for just $32.

To ensure that there is something for everyone – from first-time imbibers to connoisseurs – there will be signature serves, exclusive limited Whisky Journey inaugural bottlings and rare bottles for sale.

Whisky Journey is organised by The Whisky Store, one of the pioneers in the local whisky scene. The organisers had originally planned for Whisky Journey’s debut as a two-day weekend event in May. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has since pivoted to a restaurant and bar trail that ensures Whisky Journey remains an inclusive, educational and celebratory whisky event.

At the same time, the innovative concept hopes to reinvigorate the local F&B sector and bring the Singapore bar scene together while prioritising the safety of guests.

From 11-20 December, guests can visit FIFTEEN (15) restaurants and bars island-wide and have the opportunity to taste whiskies ranging from family-owned boutique distilleries to renowned international brands. Each venue will be paired with a whisky distillery and offer a tasting menu, samples of highly sought-after casks and rare bottles at wholesale prices. For a list of participating bars and distilleries, please scroll down to the end.

Some of the listed bars and restaurants will also delight guests with unique whisky pairings. To truly celebrate whisky culture and ensure an enjoyable experience for all, restaurant and bar staff will be trained by the distilleries to share tasting insights and experiences.

This unique 10-day F&B extravaganza also hopes to offer a new way for guests to celebrate the holiday season with loved ones – through a unique travel experience one golden-hued dram at a time.

#SupportLocal Bars

The revamped Whisky Journey concept is also focused on supporting local F&B businesses, bars in particular, during these challenging times.

As a first-of-its-kind restaurant and bar trail, the organisers want to empower the F&B community with a differentiated and unique experience for the holiday season.

Through meaningful collaborations with international whisky distilleries, Whisky Journey also hopes to foster new collaborative opportunities for local establishments, allowing them to engage audiences with new whiskies and drinks, and provide a platform to elevate whisky appreciation in Singapore.

Distilling the Season

Be spoilt for choice with the wide range of rare whisky selections including exclusive inaugural Whisky Journey bottlings from brands such as Tomatin, Duncan Taylor, Glencadam, Inchmurrin and Glen Scotia. With ticket passes starting at an affordable price of $32, guests will journey through the different whisky regions and be treated to a free whisky tasting dram at each partner bar and restaurant. Need some nibbles? A delectable range of additional whisky tasters will be available from $2 onwards.

Whisky Journey will be carried out in accordance to existing government regulations with temperature screening and social distancing restrictions in place. To ensure that guests will have the opportunity to enjoy their free whisky drams, free pours will be extended beyond the event till 30 December 2020 at selected partner bars. Guests are also encouraged to make reservations before visiting each partner bar or restaurant as well.

Whisky Journey will be held from 11-20 December 2020 at various participating bars and restaurants across Singapore.

All passes are available for purchase at www.whiskyjourney.com.sg.

Early Ticket passes are available at $32, with passes priced at $45 each at the door. Pass holders will be entitled to a free Glencairn whisky glass, a Whisky Journey passport and a free 10ml tasting dram at each participating bar and restaurant. All guests will also have the opportunity to buy additional drams from only $2, access to industry experts, exclusive access to Whisky Journey bottlings, and many fringe activities.

Participating Distilleries:

• Bunnahabhain
• Cù Bòcan
• Currach
• Deanston
• Duncan Taylor
• Glencadam
• Glen Scotia
• Inchmoan
• Inchmurrin
• Kalak
• Ledaig
• Loch Lomond
• Ornabrak
• Paul John
• The Lakes Distillery
• The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
• Tobermory
• Tomatin
• Tomintoul

Participating Bars and Restaurants:

• Cable Car 1890’s Saloon
• Copper
• FOC
• Jiu Zhuang
• Joo Bar
• Malts
• Quaich Bar South Beach
• Silvermalt
• S L A T E.
• The Cooperage
• The Other Roof
• The Writing Club
• Tom Dick & Hillary’s
• Wala Wala Café Bar
• #WLJK

This feature is brought to you by Whisky Journey by The Whisky Store.

Editor’s note: As part of ongoing COVID-19 Safe Management Measures, your safety and health during your visit is important to the venues. You will be required to adhere to SMM actions such as SafeEntry, and social distancing. Stay safe, fellow otters!

The post Whisky Journey – Singapore’s first bar and restaurant whisky trail [Release] appeared first on You Otter Go There.

Bar on 5 at Mandarin Orchard Hotel recently got us over one evening for a tasting of some whiskys. Set within the urban buzz, this chic and contemporary bar, situated at level 5 (hence the name) is a popular hang-out amongst sophisticated professionals, corporate business people, and trendsetters. There’s also a decent craft beer bar adjoining to the lounge, but that’s a story for another time.

Chivas Regal Mizunara Whisky

Debuting in Bar on 5, the Chivas Regal Mizunara blended scotch whisky is an award winning special by their Master Blender Colin Scott. With a part of the blend matured in rare Mizunara oak (Quercus mongolica) casks, it gives a unique sweet and creamy taste with hints of spice and hazelnut. Accompanied by Chivas Regal’s Whisky Sommelier, we were treated to a tasting session where any decent Scotch is enjoyed with a splash of water (and not copious amounts of sweetened drinks), and in this case with tulip glasses to fully enjoy the fruity aroma of peaches and pears. Paired with a selection of light canapés, we enjoyed every sip of the whisky.

Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve

As a bonus we were ALSO treated to another variety of Scotch, the Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve. Named for the distillery’s founder, George Smith, it’s a single malt Scotch that’s on the lighter end of single malts with generous aroma and taste of fruits. As their product manager calls it, ‘a good, gentle introduction to people who just started to enjoy single malt whiskys’.

I Think You’re Neat!

A short (heh, whisky pun) and simple evening, but we had a really fun experience of enjoying a couple of decent whiskys that will definitely leave a longer note. Currently they have offers for bottles of the Mizunara Oak (at time of writing the launch promotion is $460++ for 3 bottles), but do check it out at the bar as it may change time to time.

More Information

Bar on 5 @ Mandarin Orchard
Level 5, Mandarin Orchard Singapore
333 Orchard Road, Singapore 238867
Operating Hours
Sunday – Thursday: 11.00am – 1.00am
Friday, Saturday, Eve of Public Holiday: 11.00am – 2.00am
Phone: 6831 6286
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The post Chivas Regal Mizunara Whisky @ Bar on 5 [Media] appeared first on You Otter Go There.