SINGAPORE. DFS Group hosted its fourth annual Masters of Wines and Spirits in Singapore on 8 November, offering customers, connoisseurs and collectors the chance to enjoy an exclusive collection of spirits, wines and Champagne in an intimate setting.
The spectacular event took place in an historic 1900s black and white house on Singapore’s verdant Mount Pleasant, bringing under one roof over 80 pieces from 65 of the world’s leading brands – the largest and most diverse collection in the history of the event, the travel retailer said.
“The 2014 Masters of Wines and Spirits collection represents our philosophy of curation, adventure and discovery,” said DFS Group President Global Merchandising Harold Brooks. “It is an opportunity to explore and discover new brands, enjoy classics from esteemed leaders, and experience in person the history, heritage and craftsmanship of the masters. This is what distinguishes DFS as the world traveller’s preferred destination for luxury shopping.”
As reported, the theme of this year’s event revolved around the notion that entertaining at home is the ultimate expression of luxury – and a key trend in Asia driving the appreciation of fine wines and spirits, said DFS.
Changi Airport exhibition and launch of Shop & Collect on DFS.com
 |
“The 2014 Masters of Wines and Spirits collection represents our philosophy of curation, adventure and discovery“ |
Harold Brooks President Global Merchandising DFS Group |
Following its unveiling, the 2014 Masters of Wines and Spirits collection will be exhibited at Singapore Changi Airport from 10 November to 28 February 2015.
Changi Airport Group Senior Vice President, Airside Concessions Ivy Wong said: “We are delighted to partner with DFS again, for the fourth time, on this prestigious event. As the DFS stores’ makeover progresses, we are excited by the changes we see. The exclusive Masters of Wines and Spirits collection, which will be showcased at DFS’s newly renovated store at Changi’s Terminal 1, will enhance the depth of shopping experience in Changi.”
 |
Come on in, grab a drink and make yourself at home |
| “Home” is a colonial black and white house along Singapore’s Mount Pleasant Road, built in the 19th century, where guests were treated to a preview tour and private dinner. |
To coincide with and celebrate the start of the Masters of Wines and Spirits exhibition at Changi Airport, DFS also announced plans for its Shop & Collect service to launch on 1 December. The online shopping service will enable travellers to Singapore to select their purchases of beer, wines and spirits for collection at the DFS stores in Changi’s arrivals hall.
The Shop & Collect service will feature over 700 products from over 125 brands, said to be the largest assortment of wines and spirits available at an airport for online purchase.
All orders can be placed a maximum of 14 days and minimum of 24 hours prior to one’s flight.
In line with this year’s theme, prominent wine critic and author James Suckling and Singapore’s own spirits expert and mixologist Michael Callahan shared their insights on entertaining and hosting at one’s home. These insights were summarised into the six key elements of entertaining at home with fine wines and spirits: The Welcome, The Company, The Meal, Conversations & Entertainment, Setting & Ambiance, and Post-Dinner.
“Luxury should be experiential, immersive and truly personal. With masters such as James Suckling and Michael Callahan welcoming us into their worlds, we have created an experience that firmly establishes the Masters of Wines and Spirits as Asia’s largest and most prestigious retail exhibition of fine wines and spirits,” said DFS Group President of Consumer Marketing & Branding Sibylle Scherer.
Over 400 collectors and connoisseurs attended the private dinner and gala event, including over 25 brand ambassadors representing the producers that created many of the masterpieces on display.
Over 30 rare Armagnacs, Baijius, Cognac, Scotch whisky blends and single malt whiskies make up the collection this year. Highlights include the debut of the 45yo from The Dalmore distillery, and the fourth edition of the renowned Masters of Photography Series by The Macallan. Also key are the Chabot Armagnac 88yo and 108yo Collection Set and The Queen’s Carafe from Martell.
Beyond whiskies, the showcase also featured over 50 pieces from the wine and Champagne world. These included items from leading wine regions of Australia, and Champagne and Bordeaux in France.
 |
 |  |
The Dalmore 45 Year Old – Produced exclusively for DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits, this limited-edition 45yo single cask expression (41%abv) was originally put into cask in November 1968, and has been curated by The Dalmore Master Distiller Richard Paterson for the entirety of his career. It is presented in a bespoke crystal decanter, made exclusively for The Dalmore by Glencairn, and adorned with a handmade silver stag. Only 30 bottles are available.
The Macallan Masters of Photography: Elliott Erwitt Edition – The Masters of Photography: Elliott Erwitt Edition is the fourth instalment of The Macallan’s Masters of Photography Series. The collection is distinct in terms of its scale and breadth of single cask malt Scotch whiskies, each of which has been personally selected by whisky maker Bob Dalgarno to interpret the character of its corresponding photograph. Fifty-eight single cask whiskies have been paired with a different signed Elliott Erwitt print captured during his Great Scottish Adventure.
The Elliott Erwitt Edition comprises a bespoke photo-archival book, featuring a total of 158 images shot by Elliott during the process, with a 35cl handmade glass flask containing a single cask malt whisky concealed within its pages. Only three full sets are available for sale to the public and DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits will present the last of these collectable pieces from The Macallan.
The Glenlivet Winchester Collection Vintage 1964 50 Year Old – The Winchester Collection, Vintage 1964, is the inaugural release in a series of rare 50yo whiskies from “the single malt that started it all”. Described as the pinnacle of The Glenlivet’s range, this malt whisky is curated by Master Distiller Alan Winchester, from whom the collection takes its name. A cask made of American oak seasoned with bourbon is said to give the collection distinctive flavours of the signature fruity notes of The Glenlivet, intensified with age. It contains notes of ripe pears, oranges, black cherries, and toffee, with hints of caramelised sugar in the background. Only 50 units will ever be released. [Watch out for more on this release, including an interview with Alan Winchester, coming shortly.]
Johnnie Walker The Epic Dates Collection (1938, 1949, 1956) – Johnnie Walker’s The Epic Dates Collection celebrates key milestones in the history of Johnnie Walker – “the best of Johnnie Walker’s past and present”. Limited editions previously available only through Johnnie Walker Houses, and now exclusively available at DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits 2014.
The 1938 Edition celebrates the first-ever advertisement campaign launched by the brand. Inspired by a recipe from 1938, Master Blender Jim Beveridge crafted a distinctive Scotch whisky blended from whiskies aged for at least 38 years. The Commemorative 1949 Edition celebrates the 65 years Johnnie Walker whiskies have been appreciated and enjoyed in Korea. Jim Beveridge crafted a classic blend evoking the styles of whisky enjoyed by Korean whisky enthusiasts in the late 1940s, including extremely old pre-1930s single malt Scotch whiskies aged in European oak casks. The 1956 Edition celebrates the year when the brand became the largest selling Scotch in the world, according to the brand.
Chabot 88 Year Old & 108 Year Old Collection Set – The auspicious number “˜8′ implies prosperity in certain Asian cultures, and this set of two extremely rare Armagnacs is exclusively available at DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits. Designed by Chabot President Marc Gentzbourger and Master Craftsman Christian Thierry Drevelle, the set is presented in a handcrafted oak humidor with an inlay of 80 individual squares that explore the colour spectrum of natural woods. It is said to symbolise Chabot’s “‘pirit behind the spirit’. With age, the Chabot 108 Year Old has manifested a deep-brown colour accompanied by a complex nose with hints of leather and spices. The 88 Year Old is amber in colour with a long finish and a nose complemented by the aromas of walnuts and old oak.
Martell The Queen’s Carafe – The House of Martell pays tribute to one of its historic blends, testimony to the Cognac maker’s close ties with Great Britain, by drawing inspiration from the carafe of Cordon Bleu presented to Queen Elizabeth II on her state visit to France in 1957. Martell’s Cellar Master discovered a distinct Grande Champagne eau-de-vie dating back to 1929 that formed part of the original blend. Carefully housed in a presentation case created by the Drevelle workshops in Cognac, the carafe in Baccarat crystal stands surrounded by a lining of Ceylon lemonwood. The delicately crafted case, made from figured mahogany with an inlaid marquetry border, is said to be a precise reinterpretation of 19th Century cabinetwork. This piece, one of only two in the world, is the only one remaining available to the public.
This limited blend of very old Borderies cognacs is presented in an 8.2L decanter, crafted using wooden moulds which can never be replicated. To showcase this piece, Atelier Drevelle designed an oak stand enhanced by rare amaranth wood. This piece will be hand-delivered and presented by a representative of the House of Camus, who will unveil the Cognac in its decanter. Personal engraving will be offered upon request. Only one bottle is available in the world, exclusive to DFS.
Penfolds 1990 Collection – Commissioned exclusively for DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits, Penfolds presents an extremely rare collection of Special Bin, Icon and Luxury wines from the 1990 vintage. That year, Penfolds released two celebrated and limited-release Special Bin wines: the Bin 90A Kalimna Shiraz Coonawarra Cabernet and the Bin 920 Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz. The standout of that vintage, however, was the 1990 Grange, named among the “˜Wines of the Year’ by Wine Spectator and rated 100 out of 100 by the world’s leading wine critic Robert Parker upon its release in 1995. This bespoke collection is presented in a custom, handcrafted case designed to hold Grange, Bin 90A Coonawarra Coonawarra Cabernet Barossa Valley Shiraz, Bin 920 Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz, and Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon.
2001 Harlan Estate Imperial – Howard William Harlan began Harlan Estate with the goal of creating America’s equivalent of a First Growth. Founding the winery in 1984, his commitment to quality meant his first vintage wasn’t until 1990. Today Harlan Estate, crafted from the fruit of ideal mountain vineyards, is considered by many as the greatest American Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine. Each year only one bottle of 6L, signed by Howard William Harlan, is produced and reserved for the personal library of the family. This year, Mr Harlan has offered to DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits the 100-point-rated 2001 Harlan Estate vintage, a signed 6L bottle showcased in a customised leather case. This is the first time in history that a 6L format by Harlan Estate is released to the public.
Rémy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl Anniversary Edition – To commemorate the 140th anniversary of Louis XIII, the house of Rémy Martin is presenting the Louis XIII Black Pearl Anniversary Edition. These individually numbered decanters are drawn from a tierçon that was part of the Hériard Dubreuil family’s private reserve at Domaine de Merpins in Cognac, France. The tierçon – an extremely rare and old 572-liter barrel used during the final aging process of Louis XIII, marked C-100-93 – was handmade a century ago using oak from France’s Limousin region. The blend is made up of nearly 1,200 eaux-de-vie from the Grande Champagne region, ranging between 40 and 100 years old. The decanter, created by the House of Baccarat, is a contemporary “˜Black Pearl’ version of the original metal flask that inspired Paul-Émile Rémy Martin when he created Louis XIII in 1874. To craft this metallic decanter, the crystal was treated using a special plating technique that gives it a reflective quality, with myriad subtle contrasts of light and dark across its surface, resembling a black pearl.
The DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits is part of the DFS Masters Collection, a signature programme of exhibitions that also includes the inaugural Masters of Fragrances held in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, and Masters of Time set to take place in Macau this December.
NOTE: An interview with DFS Group Senior Vice President, Global Merchandising – Wine and Spirits Brooke Supernaw will be featured in this week’s edition of The Moodie e-Zine. In the meantime, here is a selection of pictures from The Moodie Report:
 |
 |
Martell Heritage Director Jacques Menier welcomes guests to The Lounge, where he presents Martell Premier Voyage and The Queen’s Carafe |
 |
Left: Camus Trés Vieille Fine Borderies 8.2L Decanter, the only bottle available in the world, is exclusive to DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits; Right: Camus 40 Year Old, the first in a limited edition of guaranteed minimum-age cognacs to enter the Camus Rarissimes collection |
 |
 |
Johnnie Walker Global Brand Ambassador Jonathan Driver – pictured in The Library – introduces the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Zodiac Collection (below), comprising 12 limited-edition bottles representing the 12 animal signs from the Chinese zodiac. Every bottle in this collection is engraved with the orchid, Singapore’s national flower |
 |
 |
The Bowmore 1957 – 54 Year Old is not only Bowmore’s oldest expression in history, but also the oldest Islay malt ever released to the public, according to DFS. Only 12 bottles of this liquid exist, and DFS is the first retailer in the world to obtain one |
 |
On the shelves are two one-of-a-kind pieces from Chabot: Chabot 88 Year Old & 108 Year Old Collection Set and Chabot 1896 & 1918 Dual Century Collection Set |
 |
The Balvenie Fifty Tantalus includes two 50yo expressions that are “markedly different in character, despite their identical origins”. DFS presents the only two sets of companion bottles, packaged in a tantalus that complements the two editions |
 |
Glen Grant 50: The Fulfillment Collection is a four-bottle series, each presented in a hand-blown crystal decanter housed in a handcrafted copper-lined Scottish oak case. The centerpiece, a 70cl, is adorned with the Gaelic name Cuimhneachan, meaning “˜Keepsake’ while the three smaller bottles, each 20cl, are named Tiodhlac (“˜Special Gift’), Dà imh-kin (“˜True Friendship’) and Duais Bheag (“˜Little Reward’) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
One of the highlights of The Study is The Macallan Masters of Photography: Elliott Erwitt Edition, which pairs 58 single cask whiskies with a different signed Elliott Erwitt print – displayed on the walls throughout the black and white house |
 |
 |
The Dalmore Master Blender Richard Paterson proudly presents The Dalmore 45 Year Old, a rare single malt that has been matured for the entirety of his career. An assemblage of rare whiskies drawn from Matusalem sherry and vintage port casks from 1967, 1968 and 1969, this limited-edition is presented in a bespoke crystal decanter, made exclusively for The Dalmore by Glencairn, and adorned with a handmade silver stag |
 |
Highland Park has teamed up with Linn Audio to “marry the best spirit with the best sound”, pairing the Highland Park 40 Year Old – the oldest permanent expression of the distillery – with the limited-edition Sondek LP12. This high-performance turntable is encased in a wood plinth, made from the same solid oak casks used to mature this whisky |
 |
 |
The Glenlivet Heritage & Brand Experience Director Peter Prentice introduces The Glenlivet Winchester Collection Vintage 1964 (below), the inaugural release in a series of 50yo whiskies curated by Master Distiller Alan Winchester, from whom the collection takes its name |
 |
 |
The Ballantine’s 40 Year Old features sterling silver elements, assembled by hand and individually hallmarked by The Assay Office at Goldsmiths Hall in London. Only 100 bottles are released every year, and four bottles are available at DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits |
 |
The Glenlivet Heritage & Brand Experience Director Peter Prentice and The Moodie Report’s Melody Ng discuss matters of importance in The Study |
 |
 |
G. H. Mumm & Cie Brand Development Manager Thomas Lignier introduces Perrier-Jouët The Belle Époque Rosé 2005 Mathuselah in The Drawing Room |
 |
 |
The Penfolds 1990 Collection, presented by Penfolds Winemaking Ambassador – Asia Simon Cant, comprises Special Bin, Icon and Luxury wines from the 1990 vintage |
 |
 |
Château Angelus Public Relations Officer Bong Grelat-Tram, pictured with a set of large-capacity Château Angelus Vintage 2012 bottles, ranging from Magnum to Imperial |
 |
The Cabinet of Curiosities by Glenmorangie includes five bottles of rare and award-winning single malts, representing different aspects of Glenmorangie’s Director of Whisky Creation and Distilling Dr. Bill Lumsden’s whisky-creation process |
 |
L-R: Wine critic and author James Suckling, DFS Group Senior Vice President, Global Merchandising – Wine and Spirits Brooke Supernaw and spirits expert and mixologist Michael Callahan |
 |
Michael Callahan, founder and bartender of Singapore’s world-ranked cocktail bar, 28 Hong Kong Street, has created two cocktails exclusively for DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits |
 |
 |
 |  |
The lower level of the house – made up of The Dining Room, The Foyer and The Living Room – featured over 50 pieces from the wine and Champagne world, including (on left) the 45 Years of Château Margaux Magnum Collection, (on right) the First Four Jeroboams of Krug, and Moët & Chandon the Methuselah Nectar Impérial Rosé Leopard Luxury Edition | |
 |
Five Decades of Château Gruaud Larose, a six-piece collection created exclusively for DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits, features a bottle each of the 1945, 1959, 1982, 1989, 1996 and 2000 Château Gruaud Larose, never before removed from the cellar |
 |
Ornellaia Vendemmia d’Artista – described as a marriage between the world of contemporary art and wine – includes 2001, 2006, 2010 and 2011 vintages, featuring the works of artists such as Luigi Ontani, Michelangelo Pistoletto and Rodney Graham |
 |
This limited-edition Penfolds 2008 Collection showcases “the very best of the 2008 vintage” in a bespoke handcrafted case commissioned exclusively for DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits. It includes a 750ml bottle of 2008 Grange, 2008 Yattarna, 2008 Bin 620 Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz, 2008 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz, St Henri Shiraz and Magill Estate Shiraz |
 |
An exclusive vertical selection of 28 vintages of Château Mouton Rothschild, starting from 1966 |
 |  |
Left: A one-of-a-kind signed 6L bottle of 2001 Harlan Estate Imperial; Right: Graham’s Ne Oublie, a limited release of very old Port originating from 1882, when the first Symington, Andrew James, arrived in Portugal from Scotland | |
 |
