DFS Group hits new heights with fifth annual Masters of Wines and Spirits

A Masterly expression of ambition in Singapore

Stories, sometimes legends, in a bottle. Each one of DFS’s partners went to extraordinary lengths to find a unique expression of their wine, Champagne or spirit-making art to grace a collection that is not ‘displayed’ but ‘curated’ as DFS Chairman & CEO Philippe Schaus so rightly put it.

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SINGAPORE. “We provide our [VIP] customers with a great, great opportunity that they won’t find anywhere else. There’s not a place in earth, at least not in Asia, where you can find such a choice and concentration of unique bottles as you will find at this event.”

Speaking to The Moodie Report, DFS Group Chairman & CEO Philippe Schaus was in upbeat mood about the fifth annual Masters of Wines and Spirits, which began in Singapore last night at T Galleria by DFS [click on Podcast below for more from Schaus and look out for an extended interview and event coverage in the next edition of The Moodie e-Zine].

“This is also an aspect of our co-operation with Changi Airport,” Schaus continued. “Changi has allowed us to build the most incredible wines and spirits stores that you’ll find in any airport in the world. We’re very grateful for that. As part of the co-operation we want to create this aura of prestige in the wines and spirits area here in Singapore in combination with Changi Airport.”

The month-long showcase of some of the world’s finest and rarest wines & spirits brings together a collection of over 60 masterpieces from 47 leading brands.

DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits is part of the DFS Masters Collection, a signature programme of exhibitions that also includes Masters of Time, set to take place in Macau this December.

The Masters Collection runs across DFS’ five pillars of luxury: wines and spirits, beauty and fragrances, watches and jewellery, fashion and accessories, and food and gifts.

This year’s Masters of Wines and Spirits coincides with DFS’s 55th anniversary as well as Singapore’s 50th year of independence. The 2015 collection will be exhibited at T Galleria for DFS (where all items are available for sale) until 30 November. The collection will then be moved to DFS’ flagship wines & spirits duplex store at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3.

Kicking off the series of events this weekend (6 and 7 November) are Dom Pérignon, Hennessy and The Dalmore, which are presenting their collection of Champagnes and spirits. On level one of T Galleria, guests can enjoy a complimentary tasting of Dom Pérignon Blanc 2005 at the custom-built Champagne bar which will also be open next weekend (13-14 November).

On level two, Hennessy is hosting a guided tasting of iconic Cognacs, including Hennessy XO, Hennessy Privé, Hennessy James Hennessy and Hennessy V.S.O.P. The tasting will also take place next weekend.

On level three, Whyte & Mackay Director of Rare Whiskies Jonathan Driver is walking guests through an intimate tasting experience of The Dalmore’s leading single malt whiskies at The Dalmore Bar, including The Dalmore Valour, The Dalmore Pioneer Edition (available exclusively at DFS) and The Dalmore King Alexandre III.

Guests can also experience a wine tasting bar and cocktail bar on level four, featuring some of the Masters of Wines and Spirits leading wine offerings as well as bespoke cocktails created by spirits brands exclusively for the event.

This weekend also sees The Dalmore Master Distiller Richard Paterson host an intimate experience at DFS Loyal T Lounge to unveil the Five Decades Collection, created in honour of Singapore’s 50th year of independence.

Next weekend (13 and 14 November) will see Hennessy and Johnnie Walker introduce both classic and exclusive new products at T Galleria. In addition, luxury chocolatier Godiva will present and provide tastings of a Masters of Wines and Spirits limited-edition chocolate box inspired by spirits, wine and champagne.

In celebration of Hennessy’s 250th anniversary, International Hennessy Ambassador and member of the Hennessy family Maurice-Richard Hennessy, together with Ambassadeur de la Maison Cyrille Gautier-Auriol, are hosting an intimate tasting of Hennessy Paradis Impérial and Hennessy Privé for DFS Loyal T members at the DFS Loyal T Lounge. Guests are being guided through the different blends of Cognac; the origin, the technical aspects and what goes into making a bottle of Hennessy.

The Johnnie Walker bar on level three, manned by Diageo Global Brand Ambassador Will Thompson, offers guests the chance to taste the Johnnie Walker Private Collection 2016 Edition, ahead of its release date exclusively at Masters of Wines and Spirits. The complimentary tasting also includes Johnnie Walker King George V, Johnnie Walker Blue Label and travel retail exclusive Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cask Edition.

Award-winning cocktail bar L’Aiglonis hosting a pop-up bar on level four alongside a wine tasting bar.

From 6 November, travellers can enjoy the Masters of Wines and Spirits experience and product tastings at the DFS Wines and Spirits Duplex at Changi Airport Terminal 3. Will Thompson will guide guests through a complimentary Johnnie Walker tasting on Thursday 12 November from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at the Long Bar by Raffles on the upper level of the DFS Wines and Spirits Duplex.

Meanwhile an intimate tasting experience with Hennessy Ambassadeur de la Maison Cyrille Gautier-Auriol will take place on Sunday 15 November from 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

Some of the stand-outs from the 2015 Masters of Wines and Spirits collection:

The Martell Hidden Gems – Available exclusively at Masters of Wines and Spirits, the collection includes two individual eaux-de-vie dating from 1875 and 1898 together with the blend issued from both. They are presented in a vintage Baccarat crystal decanter that was presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 1957 and to Emperor Hirohito in 1971 during their official trips to France.

The Dalmore Five Decades Collection – the five-expression collection has been created to commemorate each decade of Singapore’s independence. The collection comprises nine individual bottles; two bottles each of a 10-year-old, 20-year-old, 30-year-old and 40-year-old expression, and one bottle of a unique 50-year-old. The Dalmore’s Master Distiller, Richard Paterson, has personally filled each hand-blown crystal decanter with these precious, rare whiskies.

The Glenmorangie Single Cask Collection – This one-off bespoke and handcrafted display features five extremely rare single cask releases from Glenmorangie. All the expressions, personally signed by Glenmorangie’s Director of Distilling & Whisky Creation Dr. Bill Lumsden, have been bottled at cask strength and are non-chill filtered for additional aroma and texture. The display case is carved out of oak.

The Macallan Five Decades Collection – Created exclusively for DFS, The Macallan Five Decades Collection includes five Fine & Rare vintages from 1946, 1950, 1975, 1989 and 1995, each drawn from a single unique cask representing a different decade to commemorate Singapore’s 50th year of independence. The Fine & Rare 1946 and 1950 are said to be two of the oldest expressions that have ever been released to the public in the history of The Macallan.

Port Ellen 33 Years Old Single Cask – A once-in-a-lifetime hand-selected single cask release from refill hogshead produced a very limited quantity of 33 Years Old. Only 210 bottles, specially bottled for travel retail, are in existence today. 12 will be launched at DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits.

Glenfiddich 50 Years Old – Exclusively handcrafted for DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits, this expression has been created from some of Glenfiddich’s rarest and most precious family casks. Matured for over five decades in oak casks and bottled at cask strength, only two hand-numbered decanters will ever be created. Each decanter is cast in the finest Baccarat crystal, hand-blown by craftsmen and crowned by a triangular stopper in very rare red crystal. The decanters are housed in a deep red hand-stitched leather box. The owner will also receive a leather box containing two 5cl bottles of the precious liquid.

Royal Salute The Age Collection – Royal Salute’s Master Blender has chosen the best from Royal Salute’s prized collection of fine aged whiskies to create ten subtle blends of ten different ages to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s being Britain’s longest serving monarch. The Age Collection starts at 21 years old and ascends to 30 years old.

Krug Trilogy of Clos d’Ambonnay 1996-1998-2000 – The latest creation from Krug, which comes exclusively from a tiny vineyard located in Ambonnay, is said to express the individuality, purity and intensity of a single walled plot of vines through three different vintages.

Château Lafite Rothschild SG50 Magnum Vertical – The collection, featuring 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2005 vintages, offers consumers the chance to enjoy an ex-chateau vertical flight spanning five decades in rare magnum format.

Chateau Cheval Blanc 1939 – A collector’s item, each original wooden case of vintage 1939 has never left the Mähler Besse cellar until now. Only a few cases of these wines are left and one, comprising 24 bottles, has been released exclusively for DFS Masters of Wines & Spirits.

(Hover over the images with our unique Moodie Magnifier to view in greater detail the magnificence of The Dalmore Constellation Collection)

Port Ellen 33 Years Old Single Cask (left) and Glenfiddich 50 Years Old: Key elements in “an astounding collection”

(Above and below) Chateau Cheval Blanc 1939: released from the cellar for the first time