SINGAPORE. Changi Airport Group’s annual World of Wines & Spirits (WOWS) returned at the weekend (24/25 October) with its latest dazzling edition themed ‘Wonders Reimagined’, presented in partnership with the airport’s liquor concessionaire Lotte Duty Free.
WOWS 2025 continued the event’s proud legacy as a premier showcase of rare and exceptional wines and spirits.
The occasion saw 63 ultra-premium bottles unveiled from 29 of the world’s most renowned brands, including Johnnie Walker Vault Couture Expression, Martell L’Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition – Assemblage du Cheval, and an eclectic array of whiskies, Cognacs, fine wines and Champagnes.
The evening brought these rarities of the wines & spirits world to life through immersive storytelling, fine pairings and artistic performances that celebrated the craft and provenance behind each bottle.
{Pictured from left celebrating a landmark WOWS are Lotte Travel Retail Singapore Chief Operating Officer Bruce Ham Seok Min; Changi Airport Group Vice President, Concession Sales Management & Innovation Gwyn Sin; Edrington Commercial Managing Director, Global Travel Retail Wilcy Wong; Changi Airport Group Senior Vice President, Airside Leasing & T5 Commercial Planning Chandra Mahtani; Changi Airport Group Executive Vice President, Commercial Lim Peck Hoon; actor Lawrence Wong; and Changi Airport Group Chief Executive Officer Yam Kum Weng.
Alongside them are (continuing from left) actress Jeanette Aw; Lotte Duty Free Head of Global Business Division Ahn Daehyun; Changi Airport Group Managing Director, Airside Concessions Hung Jean; Pernod Ricard Singapore Country Manager Alex Liu; Changi Airport Group Senior Vice President, Changi Rewards, DIVA and Pricing and Commercial Strategy Jeffrey Loke; Changi Airport Group Vice President, Marketing/Promotions & Customer Segment Sales Nicole Foo; and Changi Airport Group Chief Financial Officer & Managing Director, Enterprise Performance & Development Choy Dawen}
Among the exceptional bottles sold at this year’s World of Wines and Spirits Gala were:
- The Macallan Red Collection 40 Years Old (S$25,000/US$19,300), a testament to four decades of meticulous maturation in hand-picked oak casks
- Martell L’Or de Jean Martell Zodiac Edition – Assemblage du Cheval (S$14,500/US$10,800), described as an exquisite blend of vintage eaux-de-vie from Grande Champagne presented in a sculptural crystal decanter
- A Yamazaki Mizunara 18 Year Old and 25 Year Old Set (S$15,000/US$11,570), available exclusively at WOWS, revealing the depth and refinement of Japanese craftsmanship.
Other standouts included the selections was the Yamazaki 25 Year Old with Bowmore 30 Year Old Lotte Exclusive Set (S$10,700/US$8,255), which united two outstanding distilleries in a rare expression of harmony and heritage.
These exceptional bottles reflect the prestige, artistry and exclusivity that define the event – and Changi Airport Group’s commitment to curating world-class luxury experiences for discerning travellers and collectors, the airport company commented.
Guests experienced the artistry and heritage of wines and spirits across five multi-sensorial zones, described by Changi Airport Group and Lotte Duty Free as follows:
● Highland Wonders (Japanese Whiskies) – Bamboo-inspired interiors and flowing forms evoked serene Japanese landscapes. Delicate aromas of citrus, clove, oak and baked pineapple guided guests through the craftsmanship and balance of Japanese whisky.
● Highland Wonders (European Whiskies) – The second Highland Wonders zone saw Scotland’s rugged coasts and drifting mists reimagined, with notes of dried fruits, spices and smoke – a tribute to the heritage and craftsmanship behind the whiskies.
● Cognac Landscapes – Layered displays reflected the region’s chalky soils, rolling hills and maritime winds. Martell Cognacs, alongside other distinguished houses, exemplified elegance, refinement and decades of mastery.
● Flavours in Bloom (Wines & Champagnes) – Inspired by the circular elegance of grapes, wines and Champagnes were paired with curated chocolates from renowned Singaporean Chef and Chocolatier Janice Wong, creating a sensory journey of harmony, depth and playful discovery.
● Echoes of Rarity (Rare and Fine Spirits) – A diamond-inspired space celebrated the world’s rarest spirits, with gentle soundscapes and immersive visuals highlighting patience, elegance and passion behind each exceptional pour.
WOWS also presented a captivating line-up of international performances from Hong Kong and Japan, setting the stage for an evening of artistry and imagination.
Guests were enthralled by Lai Yee from Hong Kong, who performed a Solo Cyr wheel act, expressing the fluidity and rhythm of nature. This was followed by a handpan and violin performance by Japanese duo Bodai & Bonno, symbolising the harmony between human creativity and innovation.
The evening culminated in an exclusive WOWS collaboration, where Lai Yee shared the stage with Bodai & Bonno in what Changi Airport Group called “a mesmerising fusion of movement and sound – a poetic expression of nature and humanity converging to reimagine Wonders together.” {main story continues below the following subscription message}.
Michelin-starred restaurant Nouri presented inventive savoury and sweet canapés, complementing the flavour profiles of each pour and highlighting the harmony between taste and craftsmanship.
A World of Wonders continues
Changi Airport Group said the WOWS Gala exemplified the company’s leadership in the wines & spirits category, displaying its unwavering commitment to curating experiences that are truly rare in the world and reserved for the few.
“Through innovative and premium offerings tailored to discerning consumers, the event elevated the duty-free shopping experience while redefining luxury in the travel retail space.
“More than a showcase, it was a celebration of craftsmanship, connoisseurship and artistry behind the world’s finest and rarest liquors, deepening appreciation for the heritage and mastery that shape each bottle.”
Any unsold items will continue to be available to the public for purchase on a dedicated WOWS website (wows.changiairport.com).
Collectors and aficionados can look forward to rare spirits such as The Macallan Red Collection 71/74/78 Years Old (pictured below). Set with an exclusive handcrafted trunk at S$368,200 (US$285,000) – a trilogy of single malts matured for up to seven decades, each revealing the natural colour, complexity and grace shaped by generations of master whisky makers.
Exclusively curated for WOWS, the Bowmore ARC Series at S$218,000 (US$170,000) captures the soul of Islay through its rare ARC-52 and ARC-54 expressions, “liquid legacies” matured for over half a century. The series is accompanied by an invitation to a private journey to the Bowmore Distillery, complete with private fine dining and bespoke island experiences.
The Johnnie Walker Vault Couture Expression at S$103,800 (US$81,000), pictured above, redefines luxury through a daring collaboration between Master Blender Dr Emma Walker and French designer Olivier Rousteing (Balmain Creative Director) Changi Airport Group said.
In this expression, haute couture meets fine whisky in a gold-draped bottle that celebrates movement, craftsmanship and creative brilliance.
Rounding this stellar line-up is the Glenfiddich 1959 Cask 3935 at S$125,000 (US$96,500), an Asia Pacific-exclusive bottling born from the same year Aston Martin first conquered the famed Le Mans race. It is described by Changi Airport Group as “a rare expression that fuses innovation, heritage and the pursuit of excellence into one timeless collectible.”
In collaboration with Mastercard as the official payment partner, WOWS patrons who use their Mastercard can enjoy luxurious keepsakes from French silverware house Christofle to complement their purchase.
Those spending a minimum of S$5,000 (US$3,850) receive a complimentary set of two Christofle crystal Champagne flutes worth S$510 (US$395). ✈
PHOTO GALLERY
