As December rolls around, the usual slate of year-end parties is starting to pick up again. If you’re hosting a get-together of your own, you might be wondering what to serve when the time comes for toasts and clinking glasses; if you’re jotting invitations down in your calendar, you’re probably thinking about what to get the hosts, especially those particularly difficult to shop for.
Either way, a good old bottle of booze might just be your best bet. We’re not just talking about wine, either; after all, the holidays are a time for kicking back, so just about anything goes, especially when we’re talking about tipples. From whiskey to sake and classic champagnes, Options gives the lowdown on our top picks for drinks to have this holiday season.
Whisky
Singapore may not have the right climate to enjoy a warming drink by the fireplace, but a sip of whisky is always welcome regardless.
Those seeking a good gift can end their shopping frenzy with Royal Salute’s 24-Year-Old Cognac Cask Finish ($350), a whisky that — as its name suggests — is aged in cognac casks before entering a stunning red bottle. Set in a box that features an East-meets-West design, complete with illustrations of peonies and pheasants, among others, this is certainly one to impress.
See also: Louis XIII executive director Anne-Laure Pressat on honouring the storied cognac’s luxurious legacy
Of course, the 24-Year-Old doesn’t stop at just pretty packaging. Inside, the recently released whisky is a rich golden colour with aromas of cherries, oak and figs. Tasting it reveals a sweet, fruity character, buoyed by notes of caramel and spice.
The 24-Year-Old Cognac Cask Finish is available at Pernod Ricard’s online stores and platforms, including Le Cercle (le-cercle.sg), as well as at select retailers.
See also: First taste of a 40-year-old Japanese whisky that costs US$35,000
For something a little more exclusive, another new whisky launch comes from The GlenAllachie, with its latest 35-year-old expression. Also good for gifting, The GlenAllachie 35-Year-Old ($2,688++) comes in a handcrafted oak box.
The first addition to The GlenAllachie’s core line since 2018 is also its oldest single malt to date. Matured in three Pedro Ximénez, one Oloroso, and two virgin oak casks, the final product is expectedly complex, carrying notes of honey, cinnamon and pineapple on the nose, with flavours of chocolate, dried fruit and cloves.
Just 88 bottles of The GlenAllachie 35-Year-Old are available in Singapore on the Asiaeuro Wines website (asiaeurowines.com.sg).
Over at Johnnie Walker is a new limited-edition Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet ($460). Part of a collaboration with ski-wear brand Perfect Moment, the new expression comes in a bag that can be turned into a crossbody.
Crafted to evoke a “luxurious winter wonderland”, Ice Chalet is best enjoyed ice-cold, to bring out the best of its flavours and mouthfeel. There’s a subtle smokiness to the whisky that’s buoyed by vanilla and wood notes. On the palate, it’s distinctly fruity and warm, with classic winter flavours like apple and spices.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet is available on the Asher BWS website (asher.sg).
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Sake
Sake isn’t the first drink one might associate with the holidays — but why not? The classic Japanese rice wine is frequently drunk in the winter months, after all. Plus, this year has brought about several exciting new launches, meaning you’ll have something shiny and new to present at your next party.
Among these new bottles is the IWA 5 Assemblage 5 ($215), the latest chapter in IWA’s series of sake brews. “Our goal was to surprise ourselves and explore new dimensions while staying true to our identity,” says founder-maker Richard Geoffroy.
That theme of surprise carries through to the bottle. On the nose, Assemblage 5 features a complex mix of fruity, floral and spicy notes: pear and plum mingling with rose and jasmine, all lifted by pine and germanium. The twist comes once it touches the lips, with a smooth opening that leads into a pronounced minerality and notes of citron, white pepper and liquorice.
Assemblage 5, available on IWA’s website (iwa-sake.jp) and at Meidi-ya stores, comes in the brand’s signature matte black bottle and an eco-friendly gift box.
For something with a hint of Singaporean flavour, try Normat’s Against the Grain sakes. The homegrown label was created by Larry Peh, who travelled with his team to Mount Yoneyama in Joetsu, Japan, to plant the rice that would make its way into Against the Grain.
Two variations have been created, with an eye on creating sakes that would pair well with local eats. Junmai Daiginjo ($194) is mellower and sweeter, with a clean finish; Tokubetsu Junmai ($158), meanwhile, has a more pronounced fruity flavour that holds its own against strong, spicy foods.
Both variations of Against the Grain are available on Normat’s website (normat.com).
Champagne
Whatever the occasion, nothing says celebration quite like the loud pop of a bubbly bottle. Refreshing and best served cold, sparkling wine is also perfect for Singapore’s climate, making it an easy pick for daytime affairs.
Those looking to beat the heat will love Veuve Clicquot’s new Rich and Rich Rosé (prices vary by venue), a pair of bottles made to be enjoyed over ice. Crafted with a dosage of 55g per litre, the idea is for the added sugar to bring out the cuvées’ fruity flavours. That extra sweetness also means dilution won’t be a problem — we find that both turn even better once they’ve been allowed to sit for a while on a sunny day.
In the Rich, flavours of exotic pineapple and mango dominate, with subtle hints of pear and lemongrass. The Rich Rosé, meanwhile, carries notes of currants, strawberry and raspberry, no doubt a result of the 15% red wine added to create its signature colour.
The new Rich and Rich Rosé are available at the Veuve Clicquot Sun Club at +Twelve from now till end-November. Both bottles can also be found at Canyon Club and Lantern till end-November, as well as at Mr Stork till end-December.
For something a little less sweet, there’s Telmont’s Réserve de la Terre ($164++, at the Telmont champagne bar in Bayside, One Fullerton). This pale gold champagne comes with a low dosage of 2.5g per litre; that reduced sweetness works well, allowing the aromas of lemon and almonds to shine centre-stage.
In line with Telmont’s commitment to environmental preservation, Réserve de la Terre is made without herbicides, synthetic pesticides, synthetic fungicides and chemical fertilisers. “This cuvée is proof by example that it is possible to go further than just respecting biodiversity,” says Telmont president Ludovic du Plessis.
