Unbottle Your Style at 1855 The Bottle Shop’s Wine & Whisky Week 8th Edition: Discover Your Perfect Match & Find Your Alter Ego in a Bottle at Singapore’s Largest Wine & Whisky Event November 6 to 17 at Suntec City. On October 14, 2019 I was invited to a preview of the event to taste wine and whisky that will be showcased at the Event. 1855's Wine guru Sanjay Chandra Nair, Certified Sommelier, Certified Specialist of Wines, French Wine Scholar and WSET Advanced Certified,from Vinicole Asia (pictured left) took us through four very different wines beginning with the Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2017 (Washington, USA) from Charles Smith Wines. This new-to-market brand is fresh, and could almost make me prefer whites to reds – but that would really take something special. The tasting notes reveal ‘aromas of apricot, white peach and honeysuckle with a fresh minerality." 

The Château Clarke 2011 (Listrac-Medoc, Bordeaux, France) gently lays its flavour on your tongue. It isn’t big and bold, but a gentle wine that you wouldn’t refuse a second glass of. The tasting notes say that it is intense and complex, which wasn’t my experience of it, but they came closer saying it has fruit aromas and elegant oaky nuances was well as hints of menthol and liquorice; which I found to be more subtle than the writer of the tasting notes did. 

The Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2015 (Tuscany, Italy) from Castello di Monsanto another new-to-market brand is exactly what you would expect of a chianti. If you have any experience with wine, you could pick it out in a blind tasting. “Aromas of plums, cherries and hints of green olives. White truffles and deep earth too. Full-bodied, so layered and beautiful with a fabulous texture and ripe tannins.” 

For me, I delighted in the Prisoner Red Blend 2017 (California, USA) from The Prisoner Wine Company. This wine has a big personality that is alive with flavours that are truly layered. It is certainly the Hemingway of wines with a great deal to say for itself. The “aromas of Bing cherry, dark chocolate, clove, roasted fig and persistent flavours of ripe raspberry, boysenberry, pomegranate and vanilla” come at you from many directions and awakening different parts of your mouth. 

Sean Ou, Brand Ambassador (left) for Johnnie Walker, introduced us to A Song of Ice and A Song of Fire (Scotland, UK). It is not only New-to-Market, it is a limited-edition whisky that was inspired by the Game of Thrones TV series. In the Johnnie Walker tradition, they have an edge to them. Sean noted that A Song of Ice is crisp and clean and best enjoyed over ice as it delivers a cold smooth finish. 

A Song of Fire, as you would expect, is quite different the A Song of Ice. “It is rich and spicy,” Sean stated, ‘boasting flavours of subtle smoke. It delivers a full-bodied flavour that provides a warm smooth finish that is best enjoyed neat.” 

For Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost & Rare Glenury Royal (Scotland, UK), this was its Singapore debut and it is exclusive to 1855. It is a much more flavoursome whiskey as Sean explained: “It has sumptuous orchard fruit notes, sweet apple and delicate pear. It is heightened by creamy toffee and butterscotch. You might note waves of vanilla, heather honey, dried fruit and dark chocolate.

You can enjoy these wines and whiskeys – and much more – at the biannual 1855 The Bottle Shop’s Wine & Whisky Week (WWW) at Suntec City East Atrium Level 1. Inspired by the diverse personalities and styles of wines and spirits, this eighth edition will be an eye-opening one where you get to explore your favourite pours through a different perspective. The engaging concept of “Unbottle Your Style” aims to create a fun, interactive and immersive space for wine & spirit lovers to taste, play and shop. Step into a vibrant, colourful, multi-sensory space and indulge your five senses in an experiential journey where you get to discover your perfect match and find your alter ego in a bottle. 

Since its inception in 2016, every instalment of WWW has received overwhelming response from participants, who get to enjoy the unique experience of wine and whisky tasting, education and shopping under one roof. WWW is the largest wine and whisky event in Singapore, featuring over 500 wine and spirit labels from over 10 countries including France, Italy, Chile, Scotland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, USA and Spain with great discounts. 

Catch the Singapore debut of a series of exquisite, award-winning wines from three new-to-market brands – The Prisoner Wine Company (California, USA), Charles Smith Wines (Washington, USA), and Castello di Monsanto (Tuscany, Italy) – exclusive to 1855 The Bottle Shop. 

Launched exclusively at Wine & Whisky Week, visitors can also get their hands on Johnnie Walker A Song of Ice / A Song of Fire, two new limited-edition Scotch whiskies which celebrate the enduring legacy of the critically acclaimed HBO® series Game of Thrones. With complimentary tasting available all day every day, visitors can look forward to savouring over 100 labels including wines, single malts, blended whiskies, gins, and sakes from boutique breweries, etc.

Unbottle Your Style at the Interactive Personality Wall

Each wine and spirit has a distinct identity that is an amalgam of its unique history, inspiration, making, design, aromas and flavours. Inspired by this, 1855 The Bottle Shop has created The Style Palette (a subtle reference to the wine term ‘palate’) a series of five distinct styles that best represent and embody the range of products available at this edition: Edgy & Provocative, Quirky & Playful, Rustic & Traditional, Elegant & Sophisticated and Bold & Expressive. 

During the event, you will have the opportunity to gain insights from our experts, learn about your drinking style and get personalised recommendations. Explore the world of fine wines and spirits through the palette of styles, and find out what your favourite pour says about you. Then, declare it at the special Personality Wall through an interactive poll by simply dropping a token in the personality box that best represents you. Be sure to snap a photo for the gram’ at our Instagram-worthy photo wall.

These are the highlights and star label of each style, all from 1855 The Bottle Shop exclusive brands:

1.       Edgy & Provocative

·         The Prisoner Red Blend 2017 (California, USA)  

·         From The Prisoner Wine Company | New-to-market Brand

The Wine:

o   Ranked thrice in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year.

o   The American cult-favourite. A complex Zinfandel-based blend that swiftly and permanently changed the American perception of what California wine could be.

o   Inspired by the ‘mixed blacks’ first made by the Italian immigrants who originally settled in Napa Valley.

o   Adorned with the iconic Francisco Goya painting.

o   Retail: $98 | WWW: $75; 2 for $138

The Winery:

o   The Prisoner Wine Company has grown to include a wide range of rule-bending blends with provocative label designs, and the portfolio has been recognised by consumers and critics alike as one of the most innovative wine brands in the market, leading the resurgence of California luxury red blends and earning “cult” wine status.

2.       Quirky & Playful

·         Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2017 (Washington, USA)

·         From Charles Smith Wines | New-to-market Brand

The Wine:

o   Ranked thrice in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year.

o   A killer white wine made to be paired with Asian food.

o   In-your-face flavour with aromas of apricot, white peach, honey suckle and wisteria filling up your senses. Fresh minerality and laser focus that takes the palate to exhilarating heights.

o   Retail: $45 | WWW: $38; 2 for $70

The Winery:

o   Charles Smith Wines was founded by the unconventional winemaker, former rock band manager and two-time “Winemaker of the Year”, Charles Smith.

o   While living in Europe, Charles Smith managed a number of rock bands, including the famed Danish duo The Raveonettes. It was the wining and dining of a rock ‘n’ roll life on the road that sparked Charles’ passion for great wine.

o   Artistic, iconic and instantly identifiable, Charles Smith Wines’ playful labels have been celebrated from the day they were released. The concepts hint to wine flavour and pairings, and each original piece of artwork is a collaboration from Charles and his long-time friend, artist Rikke Korff.   

3.       Rustic & Traditional

·         Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2015 (Tuscany, Italy) | JS 96, WS 94

·         From Castello di Monsanto | New-to-market Brand

The Wine:

o   Ranked thrice in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year

o   Sangiovese and Canaiolo and Colorino – this blend has always remained the same despite the various changes in winemaking trends that have badly influenced the style in past decades.

o   A true Italian classic, pure and minimalist. An exemplar of traditional, hands-off winemaking, and a reverence for family traditions.

o   Aromas of plums, cherries, hints of green olives, white truffles and deep earth.

o   Full-bodied, layered and beautiful with a fabulous texture and ripe tannins.

o   Retail: $73 | WWW: $58; 2 for $110

The Winery:

o   Since the first vintage in 1962, the wine label has remained unchanged. It features a painting of the original Monsanto Castle, a testament to the winery’s longstanding commitment to tradition and quality.

o   Castello di Monsanto is the first winery in history to make a Chianti Classico single-vineyard designated wine.

o   Today, the winery is managed by founder Fabrizio Bianchi’s daughter, Laura Bianchi, who strongly upholds the identity and character of her wines and treasures family traditions. 

4.       Elegant & Sophisticated

·         Château Clarke 2011 (Listrac-Medoc, Bordeaux, France) |

The Wine:

o   Elegant, fine, and dense, embodying the typical character of its terroir, Château Clarke is considered one of the most promising wines in the Médoc.

o   Intense and complex, the nose displays fresh fruit aromas (blackcurrant and black cherry), and elegant oaky nuances, with hints of menthol and liquorice with aeration

o   Retail: $62 | WWW: $52; 2 for $98 

The Winery:

o   An 18th century property belonging to an Irish family to which it owes its name.

o   Edmond de Rothschild undertook a monumental project to overhaul and rejuvenate the derelict site in 1973.

o   Since then, Château Clarke has become the first jewel in the crown of Compagnie Vinicole Baron Edmond de Rothschild.

5.       Bold & Expressive

Introducing the Johnnie Walker A Song of Ice / A Song of Fire, two new Scotch Whiskies to the realm, celebrating the enduring legacy of the critically acclaimed HBO® series Game of Thrones. A continued collaboration with HBO®, these limited edition whisky blends are inspired by the iconic and powerful houses of Westeros – House Stark and House Targaryen – and are successors to the White Walker by Johnnie Walker limited edition blend launched in 2018. From House Stark comes A Song of Ice, from House Targaryen A Song of Fire. Together, the two whiskies celebrate the dynamic relationship between the houses, represented by their house sigils – the Direwolf and the Dragon – which fiercely adorn each bottle. The limited-edition blended Scotch whiskies are perfect collectibles for Game of Thrones enthusiasts and whisky fans alike.

·         A Song of Ice / A Song of Fire (Scotland, UK) | New-to-Market

·         Price:  $158 / set of 2

o   A Song of Ice

­   Has an ABV of 40.2% and features single malts from Clynelish, one of Scotland’s most northern distilleries

­   Exudes a crisp, clean taste like the unforgiving force of ice that shapes mountains and stops rivers

­   Best enjoyed over ice, this whisky delivers a cold and smooth finish

­   Inspired by the cold winters and frozen landscapes of the North, the bottle design evokes an icy setting with frosted blue and grey colours

o   A Song of Fire

­   Has an ABV of 40.8% and features the peated malts of the Caol Ila distillery

­   Rich and spicy, boasting flavours of subtle smoke

­   Best enjoyed neat, this whisky delivers a full-bodied flavour which lends a warm and smooth finish

­   Inspired by the dragons of House Targaryen, feared for their fire breathing, the bottle design evokes a fiery setting with deep-red colours

­ Catch the Singapore debut of Not-to-be-missed Limited Edition & 1855-Exclusive Whiskies

Journey through both familiar and uncharted regions with 1855 The Bottle Shop’s showcase of iconic ultra-premium whiskies. Highlights from this year’s whisky selection include the Singapore debut of two limited-edition Scotch whiskies; the incredibly rare and also 1855 The Bottle Shop-exclusive luxury Scotch whisky Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost & Rare Glenury Royal and the ancient 14-year-old Scotch whisky The Balvenie The Week Of Peat.

1.       Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost & Rare Glenury Royal (Scotland, UK) | Singapore Debut & 1855 Exclusive

·         Has an ABV of 43.8% and is the latest addition to the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare series carefully crafted by Master Blender Jim Beveridge and his small team of expert whisky makers.

·         This edition features 8 handpicked whiskies form the four corners of Scotland, including three irreplaceable “ghost” whiskies and five incredibly rare expressions from the Johnnie Walker Blue Label reserves.

·         At the heart of this blend is the legendary Highland “ghost” distillery from Glenury Royal that closed in 1985. Its colourful history is as exceptional as its uniquely rich and fruity whiskies.

·         Founded in 1825 by Captain Robert Barclay – a Member of the British Parliament and the first man to walk one thousand miles in one thousand hours - the distillery was destroyed by a devastating fire only to rise like a phoenix from the flames to thrive once again. Under Barclay’s tenacious leadership, it flourished to become one of only three Scottish distilleries to enjoy a royal title. Today the rare spirit of Captain Barclay lives on in the dwindling stocks of this incredible “ghost” whisky.

·         In addition to Glenury Royal, other “Ghost” whiskies from Pittyvaich and Cambus distilleries are balanced with exceptional rare single malts from Glen Elgin, Glenlossie, Inchgower and Glenkinchie and a beautiful, rare grain whisky from Cameronbridge.

·         Sumptuous orchard fruits, sweet apple and delicate apricot notes from Glenury Royal are beautifully heightened by creamy toffee and butterscotch from Cambus and Cameronbridge. The other rare whiskies from Glen Elgin, Inchgower, Glenlossie, Pittyvaich and Glenkinchie bring waves of vanilla, heather honey and dried fruits that weave through smooth dark chocolate and nutty layers to create a perfectly balanced exploration of this irreplaceable “ghost” whisky.

·         Best enjoyed neat, alternating with sips of iced water on the side

·         Retail: $528 | WWW: $418

2.       The Balvenie The Week Of Peat Aged 14 Years (Scotland, UK) | Singapore Debut

·         One of three releases in The Balvenie Stories range – a collection of single malt whiskies representing tales of character, endeavour and craft.

·         The 14-year-old single malt whisky was inspired by distillery manager Ian Millar who ordered a batch of Speyside peat for the kiln after a trip to Islay.

·         For a week a year, The Balvenie distills a batch of peated malt resulting in expressions that introduce fragrant smoke notes to the classic Balvenie flavour profile.

·         Nose of gentle sweet peat smoke, lighter floral notes and delicate butterscotch honey.

·         Velvety and round to taste with the peat smoke balancing citrus flavours, oaky vanilla and blossom honey. 

Exciting Activities & Contests Throughout the Event

1.       Wine Walk

Upon entrance, visitors will get a personal tasting passport with information on the event’s selection of wines and spirits. Simply complete a few simple steps to redeem shopping and dining vouchers. Get a bonus nifty gift bag when you seal the deal with any purchase! 

2.       Sure-Win Lucky Dip

-          Bag your favourite bottles and also take home exciting prizes such as a customised tote bag, potpourri pouch or wine glass. Stand a chance to be one of the lucky few who walk away with a sleek and compact Kadeka wine chiller (worth: $310)- Customer is entitled to a chance at the sure-win lucky dip with a minimum spend of S$400 in a single receipt.      

 About 1855 The Bottle Shop

In 2010, 1855 The Bottle Shop opened its first flagship store in the heart of Singapore, within the Orchard Road shopping belt. Today, it is Singapore's leading specialist wine and spirit retailer with over 1,000 premium labels available, offering a comprehensive selection of fine wines, spirits and accessories in retail stores island-wide and online. It has since received the Best Wine Retailer award in Singapore Tatler’s Best of Singapore for three consecutive years (2017, 2018 & 2019). 

Fuelled by a passion for oenological discoveries, it continually explores the field to maintain an interesting and robust selection for discerning consumers. With many wines sourced directly from wineries, it provides quality products at competitive prices, many of which are exclusive and cannot be found elsewhere. All wines are temperature controlled, 24 hours a day, both in stores and in a state-of-the-art warehouse, ensuring they are in pristine condition when they reach valued customers.

www.1855thebottleshop.com