A first for Singapore – Joint bottling by The Writing Club, Quaich Bar, The Swan Song, New Ubin Seafood
If you are browsing these pages and are familiar with the local Whisky scene, you would know Khoon Hui, whisky godfather and proprietor of Quaich Bar, the very first Whisky bar in Singapore. Khoon Hui had an idea for a joint bottling between some new Singapore whisky bars, and after some discussion and what must be several rounds, this 28 yo Linkwood was selected. On the back label you will find their names: The Writing Club (Soo San, at Palais Renaissnace, Quaich Bar, The Swan Song (Arun and Kelvin, at Prinsep Street), and of course New Ubin Seafood (not a bar per se, but hey they outdrink us all).
At this point, a disclaimer – I am a backer of The Swan Song; Yes you will find me there now and then helping out; No I avoid advertisements on this blog; Yes the reviews on this blog are written with the utmost objectivity with no economic interests in mind.
This is a significant step as it represents a first collaboration between local whisky bars. Simply put, this has not been done before, and it’s my genuine hope that it becomes a thing despite them occupying various niches. It speaks to a like-mindedness and collegiate goodwill, the warmth of whisky connoisseurs, and a brotherhood of bartenders. Ask at these bars and you will find they are perfectly happy to point you onwards to other great bars, then will you know they are firstly connoisseurs and bar owners second. Only a few bars in Singapore are run from the heart in this way, and when things are done from the heart, expect great service and open arms.
We had a small dinner at New Ubin Seafood to celebrate (I hear smoky pork curry is an off-menu special), and Matthew took us through the evening and the flight of Cadenhead whisky he had chosen – great selection Matthew, I see you have made it out of Glenfiddich without suffering too badly. I won’t talk about the Littlemill, Clynelish, or Bowmore as I have reviewed them highly here and there, suffice to say they were superb representations of their distillery styles and vintages.
The Linkwood however I have not, but I plan to do so in the near future. Matthew and Arun have already done so, and I completely agree with their views, just know that it is absolutely dripping in sherry being drawn from a first fill butt, and I think with some air it really takes off despite the massive sherry and wood influence. And so it is congratulations and thanks that I offer to Khoon Hui, Quiach, Writing Club, Swan Song and New Ubin. PS we should do this more often…
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- Caol Ila 1978 / 1992 Gordon & Macphail Cask #5347-5351,11553-11564 63.7% vs Caol Ila 12 yo 1978 / 1990 Cadenhead 65.5%
- Glenugie 1967 / 1989 Sestante 43% vs Glenugie 1967 / 1989 Sestante 59.5%
- Clynelish 25 yo 1993 / 2019 Gordon & MacPhail 19/079 54.3% vs Chollet Lot 1960 bottled 2020 ‘#4 Le bon vivant’ Fin Bois Malternative 46.3%
- Macallan 8 yo FLLI Rinaldi 43% 75cl vs Macallan 18 yo 1973 / 1991 43%
- Caperdonich 1972 / 2011 Malts of Scotland #1144 57.4% vs Caperdonich 1972 / 2008 Gordon & MacPhail #1975 57%
- Glen Garioch 27 yo 1991 / 2018 Carn Mor #20392 51% vs Glen Garioch 21 yo 1965 Full Proof 50%
- Talisker 10 yo ‘map label’ 45.8% ~circa early 90s vs Talisker Gordon & MacPhail 100 proof ~ circa 80s bottling
- Laphroaig 1977 / 1995 43% vs Laphroaig 12 yo 1984 / 1996 Cadenhead 60.3%
- Highland Park 25 yo 1992 / 2017 Cadenhead Warehouse Tasting 59.8% vs Mortlach 30 yo 1989 / 2019 Douglas Laing #DL13722 52.4%
- Clynelish 21 yo 1989 / 2010 Whisky Agency 54% vs Clynelish 20 yo 1997 / 2017 Spirit Shop Selection #6932 56.5%
