Cherished gifts for whisky aficionados, from sherry- and oak-finished single malts to a distinguished 56-year-old anniversary special release. Text: Eris Choo
The Yamazaki
New from The House of Suntory, The Yamazaki Refill Spanish Oak highlights the brand’s long-standing relationship with Spanish oak, and how the wood can reveal different expressions over time. As the casks have already been used to mature whisky, the oak becomes gentler, allowing the vibrant red fruit associated with the oak to meet more of Yamazaki’s own bright and elegant fruit character. At the same time, the depth and complexity fundamental to Yamazaki is preserved. On the nose, the whisky imparts notes of stewed apricot compote baked with cloves and nutmeg, while on the palate, it evokes fresh cherries with dried figs, charred peach and shaved cacao, finishing with rich, fruity coffee and wood smoke. This limited-edition Yamazaki Refill Spanish Oak is available in Singapore at Whisky Mansion and selected dining and drinking venues, including Barrel, Chao Yuan 潮苑 and Olde Cuban.
The Glendronach
To mark its 200th anniversary, The Glendronach has released The Glendronach Aged 56 Years, the distillery’s oldest and most distinguished bottling to date, limited to just 200 bottles. Distilled in 1968, the whisky was filled into three Oloroso sherry butts from the historic bodegas of Jerez and moved in 2014 into three Pedro Ximénez hogsheads to enrich the facets of its original spirit, maturing for over half a century in traditional dunnage warehouses. Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie dubs it the “Sherry Crescendo”, characterised by a complex, multi-layered nose of dark fruits, sherry, and dark cacao, then caramelised date, oud wood and blackberry compote. The palate is black cherry, tonka bean and amber raisin, while the finish carries dark cherry, dark chocolate and oud wood. Each of the 200 bottles is presented in a bespoke cabinet hand-carved from American black walnut by renowned designer and artist John Galvin. Inside, the spirit is held in a hand-blown Glencairn crystal decanter, with bespoke brass metalwork and hand-engraved detailing. The Glendronach Aged 56 Years is available by private enquiry, with pricing shared on request.
Bowmore
Bowmore, Islay’s oldest licensed distillery, has released the Captivo Collection, comprising two limited-edition 20-year-old single malts, with bottle and packaging designs by acclaimed studio Snarkitecture. The Bowmore Captivo Oak Voyage spent two decades in American oak ex-bourbon casks, before being aged in American oak Oloroso sherry butts for richness and complexity. It opens with dark cherry, candied orange and Manuka honey, with a touch of cool eucalyptus and toasted oak, and closes on smooth vanilla and campfire smoke. Meanwhile, the Bowmore Captivo Sherry Cask Pursuit is matured in Spanish oak Oloroso sherry and American oak ex-bourbon casks, with an Oloroso sherry hogshead finish. Tropical fruit and cracked black pepper are balanced by soft oak and smoked toffee, with a lingering finish of sweet peat smoke and a touch of charred mango. The products are available at Changi Airport LOTTE stores and iShopChangi.
The Glen Grant
The Glen Grant 12-Year-Old Sherry Finish is the distillery’s latest Asia-exclusive expression, bearing the whisky’s signature fragrant and fruity character but with added depth and richness from secondary maturation in Oloroso sherry casks. Sherry casks, particularly first-fill, can overwhelm a spirit. To keep that from happening, Master Distiller Greig Stables and his team hand-selected each cask and married different barrels together before the cask finishing. This ensures the whisky keeps its character while gaining depth and complexity. It opens with ripe orchard fruits and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, before giving way to caramelised red apples and creamy spiced vanilla. This style also offers a glimpse into the rich sherry profiles often found in the distillery’s older whiskies. The Glen Grant 12-Year-Old Sherry Finish is available in Singapore at selected retailers and premium whisky stockists.
