We are always thrilled whenever the whisky landscape of Singapore – and indeed, the wider Southeast Asia region – is enlivened by passionate people who would go ahead and bottle their own quality whiskies.

This May, the people in the limelight are Nanyang Whisky - an up-and-coming indie bottler from the sunny shores of Singapore. The term Nanyang ("南洋") was used in the days of yore by Chinese diaspora to refer to the peninsula that stretches from Yunnan in China to Singapore in the far South. I particularly like their logo, an iconography of a colonial-era shophouse, which I will leave you to check out on their website. Perhaps 88 Bamboo should enquire with the artist hired by these folks.

(All images are credited to Nanyang Whisky unless otherwise stated) 

After bringing in a catalogue of good stuff from bottlers the likes of Whisky Jury, Liquid Treasures and Archives, the folks at Nanyang in collaboration with Rejo Beverages have jointly launched their own label with an inaugural collection they've named The Peninsula Collection. Get it? 

The Peninsula Collection consists of three single cask Scotch from well-known distilleries you would likely have heard of. A 23-year-old Ben Nevis 1998 bottled at 54.1%, a 22-year-old single malt from Orkney (in all likelihood a Highland Park) bottled at 52.6%, and a 30-year-old single malt from Islay bottled at 51.3%.

According to Nanyang Whisky, they look for whiskies with flavour profiles that are harmonious and more easy-drinking, with not too much oakiness. Therefore, most of their whiskies (namely the Ben Nevis and Orkney) were taken from less active hogshead casks. 

The Ben Nevis appears to be a classic fruit basket with the following official tasting notes:

Full of tropical fruits - peaches, apricots, pears with hints of pineapples and lemons. Followed by minerals, chalk, limestones, and tapers off with a rounder, beeswax and caramel note. Mouth-watering, waxiness/creaminess on the palate. We also get hints of white pepper, and overripe bananas at the end of the palate. Ending off with a peppery, mentholated herb finish.

The Orkney single malt is bright and honeyed with a signature smoky heather element that is telling of its Highland Park identity:

Mildly smoky, lots of flints, pebbles, limestone, and other mineral qualities. A whiff of sea air and pine-scented soap, with coastal notes. Heathery, honeyed freshness, ripe apples, and burning wood ashes. An enthralling mix of sweetness, salinity and medical notes. Wonderful richness, buttery sweetness, soft dried herbal notes, lightly pepperered with oysters and lemons and some tobacco / cigar notes. 

Then there's the Islay single malt that marries herbal smokiness with bright fruits:

Extremely complex - beach pebbles and grassy/herbal smoke - with fruity undertones – we get a touch of jackfruit, champada, orange, unripe pineapples, some nail polish. Wet fabrics, wool. The smoke is medicinal and not ashy but its so sweet. A perfect strength and body with structure, and a tug of war of herbal, coastal notes and  juicy fruits. Slight hints of white pepper  and, medicinal peat as well. Ends off with some seawater, a grapefruit zest.

It remains a bit of a mystery which distillery the Islay one hails from. With its bourbon cask profile and medicinal smoke, we're guessing it's either a Laphroaig or a Caol Ila. Based on our previous tango with M&E's 30-year-old Islay Single Malt with a 1989 vintage, I'm highly inclined to put money on this being a Laphroaig. 

All three bottles are available for purchase on Nanyang Whisky's website now. 

[Update: The Ben Nevis has sold out in Singapore following the Singapore launch event. At this moment it is still available in Jakarta!]

Jakarta Whisky Launch and Tasting Sessions – 12 -13 May, 6pm 

If you're based in Jakarta, or heading over this week, you may be interested to attend Nanyang's launch and tasting sessions on Thursday 12 May or Friday 13 May. Nanyang Whisky’s team is expected to be present. This includes the affable Benny Santoso – a cheerful lawyer from Singapore with a natural flair.

The 12 May event would be held at 6pm at W Shop Whisky & Wine at Golf Island Pantai Indah Kapuk, Jakarta. 

 (Image Source: W Shop)

The 13 May event would be held at 6pm at Chir Chir Chicken in Senopati, Jakarta.  

5 drams would be served for tasting - including all 3 bottles from The Peninsula Collection, a 20-year-old single malt Irish from Cooley Distillery and a 22-year-old Caroni Distillery rum from the Liquid Treasures label jointly bottled with Nanyang Whisky and Rejo Beverages too.

Price of admission is IDR 1.5mio per person. Reach out to Nanyang Whisky to RSVP. 

1. W Shop Whisky & Wine

W-Shop is an alcoholic beverage retail store based in Pantai Indah Kapuk, Jakarta, focusing on premium single malt whisky and wine. 

Location: Ruko Beach Boulevard Blok G No.26, Golf Island, Pantai Indah Kapuk, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 14460, Indonesia

Contact Number: +62 819-0888-0090

Instagram: @whiskywine.id

2. Chir Chir Senopati

Chir Chir is a fried chicken chain originating from South Korea. 

Location: Jl. Senopati No.17, RT.6/RW.3, Senayan, Kec. Kby. Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12190, Indonesia

Contact Number: +62 21 27082880

Instagram: @chirchirsenopatijkt