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…
Whiskyrific RSS
- Balblair 1975 / 2012 2nd Release 46% vs Balblair 10 yo Gordon & Macphail 100 proof
- Convalmore 24 yo 1978 /2003 Rare Malts 59.4% vs Convalmore 40 yo 1977 / 2017 Cadenhead 56.8%
- Lochside 29 yo 1981 / 2010 The Perfect Dram 51.1% vs Lochside 31 yo 1966 / 1998 Silent Stills #3910 57.7%
- Royal Brackla 16 yo Zenith 57% vs Royal Brackla 17 yo Intertrade 63.9%~bottled 1987
- Laphroaig 30 yo 43% ~ early 2000s vs Lagavulin 30 yo 1976 / 2006 52.6%
- Highland Park 13 yo 2006 for Simplywhisky Singapore #1646 64.7% vs Highland Park 30 yo 1989 / 2019 Gordon & Macphail 19/003 51.1%
- Pulteney 13 yo 1967 / 1980 Cadenhead 46% vs Laphroaig 21 yo Cadenhead for Sestante 52.1% ‘White Label’
- Ben Nevis 21 yo 1996 / 2018 Whisky Doris #2028 52.2% vs Ben Nevis 21 yo Private Bottling #1407 48.8%
- Glen Ord 40 yo 1965 Royal Mile Whiskies 40.1% vs Glenury Royal 24 yo 1973 / 1997 Signatory #6851 53.7%
- Lagavulin 12yo Special Release 2019 56.5% vs Pulteney 12yo 2008 / 2020 Nectar 57.5%
whiskyrific 