SINGAPORE. Premium spirits leader Beam Suntory has extended the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing City Series with a travel retail-exclusive Singapore Edition. It is now available through Lotte Duty Free at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4.
The launch is being supported by an experiential activation at the airport until 29 February. Maker’s Mark ambassadors are on hand to take passengers through the tasting bar, immersive brand imagery and tastemaker information.
Wood Finishing City Series is a travel retail collection that takes inspiration from the character and flavours of cities around the globe.
The series made its debut in 2022 with the New York City and Sydney expressions, followed in December 2023 by the Frankfurt City Edition. Beam Suntory has revealed plans to add one more city edition to the range later this year.
The expression, bottled at 54.9% AVB, features notes of cacao and nutmeg. The release is limited to 720 bottles, available at a recommended retail price of S$132 (US$95) for the 700ml bottle.
The tastemakers’ vision
Maker’s Mark collaborated with chef and restauranteur Willin Low and Jigger & Pony Bar Director Aki Eguchi to develop the Singapore Edition.
In 2009, The New York Times named Low as one of three chefs to change the local culinary scene. The following year, The Financial Times selected him as one of Singapore’s best chefs.
Eguchi commented: “Drawing inspiration from the vibrant diversity of Singapore, our special Maker’s Mark whiskey offers a captivating tasting experience.
“Crafted with a blend of flavours reminiscent of the lush tropical paradise, aromatic notes of pineapple and mango create a delightful burst of exotic fruitiness.”
“To add depth and complexity, we’ve carefully balanced these tropical elements with a subtle touch of warming spices, nutmeg, clove and cinnamon – making each a journey through a harmonious fusion of flavours that celebrate the spirit of Singapore.”
Low encourages connoisseurs to “savour the exhilarating warmth of this spicy bourbon, as bold flavours dance on your palate, creating an unforgettable Singapore symphony for the senses”.
The brand has employed a wood stave-finishing technique to enhance the characteristics already present in Maker’s Mark Bourbon.
To make city-specific expressions the brand finished fully matured, cask-strength Maker’s Mark in a second barrel with a custom selection of wood staves based on the tastemakers’ flavour vision.
The barrels rest in the Maker’s Mark limestone bourbon cellar, allowing the cask strength bourbon to interact with the staves and develop a distinctive flavour.
The spirit of Singapore
Beam Suntory Brand Marketing Director Global Travel Retail Manuel Gonzalez said: “We have been thrilled with the performance of the previous editions of our Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing City Series Editions and are confident that our latest Singapore Edition will receive the same enthusiastic reaction.
“We are proud of the strong Sense of Place focus we have incorporated within this limited-edition release, offering Singapore’s travelling consumers the opportunity to purchase a truly novel whiskey imbued with a personalised emotional connection to the location that inspired it.
“We are excited to partner with Lotte Duty Free to showcase this latest addition to our premium American whiskey portfolio, which aligns perfectly with our commitment to create innovative, enticing products and engaging retail experiences.”
Lotte Duty Free Singapore Managing Director Jeff Soongyu Jeong commented: “Our collaboration with Maker’s Mark Singapore Edition exemplifies our commitment to offering distinctive and premium experiences to travellers.
“This partnership not only enhances Lotte Duty Free’s whiskey portfolio, but it also celebrates the rich, vibrant culture of Singapore, making it a memorable addition for whisky enthusiasts and collectors alike.” 
