The private member's club that your wine-lover friends have been buzzing about – yup, the one with the legendary wine list and timeless London-inspired ambience – is making bold strides into fine Scotch whisky now. 67 Pall Mall opened its first Asian outpost in Singapore in 2022, where it boasts an impressive selection of over 1,000 wines served by the glass – a rarity amongst wine clubs.

The Club has recently embarked on a new adventure as an independent bottler with the introduction of the "67 Pall Mall Cask Programme". Members and invited guests now have access to a much wider range of rare, big-name Scotch single malts from casks secured by the Club. 

A new collection of single malts have been rolled out under the Programme, including a 33-year-old Macallan and a 27-year-old Ardbeg. These bottlings add to 67 Pall Mall’s already impressive whisky collection, which features up to 200 labels available by the glass or bottle. This fine afternoon, we had the privilege to visit and sample four of these rare Scotch expressions and share our experience with you! 

Our Pall Mall whisky escapade began in their intimate spirits bar called the "Naughty Corner". The name of this space is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the space once being the bedroom of the building's previous proprietor, the high-profile Hong Kong movie mogul Sir Run Run Shaw who shaped the golden age of Hong Kong cinema.

If you're wondering – as I initially did on my first visit – there's really nothing to suggest the late Mr Shaw once led a particularly flamboyant life. The man was a devout Buddhist and known for many acts of philanthropy. So it seems like this corner hasn't been at its naughtiest until now! 

67 Pall Mall's Head of Beverage, Ricky Peti guided us through the tasting of the highlights from the collection:

• Ben Nevis 42-Year-Old Highland Single Malt
• Bruichladdich 15-Year-Old Islay Single Malt First Growth Bordeaux Cask
• Ardbeg 27-Year-Old Islay Single Malt Single Cask
• The Macallan 33-Year-Old Speyside Single Malt Sherry Oak Cask 

Peti added that the Club has plans to further expand its whisky bottlings offered under the Programme in the future. From the discussion we had with Peti, it's clear that fine spirits is going to be an increasingly important offering at 67 Pall Mall in whisky-loving Singapore and Hong Kong (where the second outpost was recently opened).  

Of course, it simply won't be in good fashion to leave you dear readers out of this glorious experience, so let's get stuck in!

Ben Nevis 42-Year-Old Single Malt, bottled by 67 Pall Mall, 43% ABV – Review

To kick off the tasting, we had the honour of tasting this special bottling that has been aged to a very distinguished 42 years. This Ben Nevis expression was actually bottled in commemoration of 67 Pall Mall's London Club which opened in 2015!

Tasting Notes

Nose: Tons of stewed fruitiness right off the bat, reminiscent of soft caramel apples in an apple pine intertwined with a distinct nuttiness of macadamia and ginko, accompanied by a touch plums and this distinct nutty, savoury funkiness that I've only encountered in well-aged baijiu. Underneath the dominant notes, there’s a subtle sweet waxiness beautifully interwoven in with aromas of wood polish and toffee-drenched dates.

Palate: Really mature and well-aged, with aromatic oak notes interlaced with stewed fruits. It opens with remarkable mellowness and is yet really flavour-forward, with caramel and toffee taking centre stage. The oily mouthfeel coats the palate. Soft stewed apples, poached pears and apricots emerge in a lovely, gradual evolution, complemented by light green tea and polished mahogany notes. Some mild notes of dark stewed fruits and plums transition towards more oxidative notes of old sherry.

Finish: Cooling on the finish, with continued notes of stewed red fruits, mintiness, liquorice and a smidge of earthy peat that compliments the malt-forward and fruity elements.

My Thoughts:

This is an incredible whisky to kick start a tasting (and for me the most memorable of the range I’ve tasted here). At 43% ABV it’s got an exquisitely complex aroma and palate. The notes are rich and multifaceted, and all integrate really seamlessly. There’s also that some waxiness and fascinating funkiness of soy sauce and nuttiness (reminiscent of baijiu) that adds a really compelling edge.

42 years of aging has given this whisky a maturity that sets it apart. Tannins have been perfectly resolved while the oily texture delivers full flavour.

Bruichladdich 15-Year-Old Single Malt, Bordeaux First Growth Cask, bottled by 67 Pall Mall, 63.1% ABV – Review

This expression is the first in a series of hand-picked barrel finishes, and it's quite fitting that we have a Scotch matured in a prestigious Bordeaux First Growth Cask at Pall Mall. 

This bottle has a bit of a mystery attached to it. We do know that this expression was matured in a First Growth estate’s wine cask, although we’re not explicitly informed which estate it is. However, if you're able to get your hands on a bottle, take a look at the back label which features a crossword puzzle wherein the name of the estate is hidden. Have fun with this one!

Tasting Notes

Nose: Presents a mellow nose of caramel and fresh raspberries and cranberries, with a touch of vanilla, toasted oak and orange spice. A light feinty note and a hint of magic marker adds some complexity. Despite its high ABV, it's got some soft, delicate powdery rose aromas, reminding me of the aroma of powdered sugar on Nonya steamed cakes. There’s also a subtle toasty coconut flake note. A splash of water brings out the prominence of these toasted and floral aromas.

Palate: It opens quite sweet, fresh and minty with a medium-bodied texture. A wave of spearmint washes over the palate, balanced by bright and sweet red cherry notes and a continued backbone of liquorice that reminds me of Hacks candy. Richer depths emerge by mid-palate with caramel, wood polish and baking spices. Adding some spring water brings out much more sweetness of stewed red fruits.

Finish: Long and memorable. Toasted coconut flakes linger for a bit, along with a retronasal impression of polished cigar boxes of my grandpa's collection.

My Thoughts:

This is a dram for the connoisseurs who enjoy heavy hitting high ABV single cask Scotch with a whole lot of flavour. The Bordeaux 1^st Growth cask undeniably adds a lovely dimension, with those vibrant notes of bright red cherries and soft toasted oak. It’s got a delightful maturity and weight that I haven’t quite encountered in many other red wine cask whiskies – it may be 15 but it drinks with the maturity and richness of a 21 year old Scotch.

It's got that classic Bruichladdich pepperiness at first, but there's no denying the quality of the spirit and the cask that’s been used to mature this.

Ardbeg 27-Year-Old Single Malt, Single Cask Hogshead, bottled by 67 Pall Mall, 43.7% ABV - Review

This iconic Islay malt bottling was one of only 47 bottles selected from Cask 813 to commemorate the signing of the lease for 67 Pall Mall Melbourne at 85 Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Oh damn, this Ardbeg really has a nose on it! It brims with tons of soft orchard fruits- sliced apples, white peaches and pear drops, lifted by a sweet, perfumed citrusy note. A touch of subtle ashiness, like a single incense stick, along with a prominent mineral note and a salty coastal aroma. There’s also some slightly oily feinty notes of lanolin. Swirling this reveals slightly more smoke.

Palate: Bright, fruity and piney. Opens with vanilla, citrus and a restrained medicinal ashiness. Aging has significantly mellowed the typical intensity and smokiness you’d expect from a younger Ardbeg, though the maritime influence remains very strong. It gives a constant briny influence - notes of honey, salted caramel and salted nuts are complimented by a gradually emerging cocktail of some dry earthy herbs such as rosemary and pine.

Finish: Balanced and refined. It reveals dry oak and a light touch of anise, before leaving a lasting impression of ash, cocoa and espresso.

My Thoughts

The nose on this Ardbeg is exquisite and layered – I could spend ages just nosing it.

On the palate, it’s a classic Ardbeg but with a brighter, fruitier edge. It’s also much softer and gentler than I’d have expected, with less of the power and roaring bonfire I’ve come to associate with Ardbeg. This one’s more of a lightly smouldering ember with a bright citrus tang and influences of burnt woody herbs. It makes for a really friendly and approachable Ardbeg with an extra evocative nose that draws you in.

Macallan 33-Year-Old Single Malt, Sherry Oak Cask, bottled by 67 Pall Mall, 49.2% ABV - Review

This malt needs no introduction. 

The standout release of the four, this an exceptionally rare bottling from The Macallan distillery, matured for a serious 33 years. This has also been bottled at cask strength at 49.2% ABV, which is  notably higher in strength than typical releases from The Macallan.

Tasting Notes

Nose: An evocative nose that’s immediately very Macallan. Opens with a bouquet of dried red fruits, with figs, raisins, cranberries and plums, joined by rich toffee and a subtle nuttiness of almonds that gradually reveals aromatic oakiness and wood polish. Warm baking spices like cinnamon and anise intertwine with a touch of fresh leather upholstery.

Palate: Rich, rounded and full-bodied, with a delightful silky texture that coats the mouth with a robust sweetness and spice. Opens with caramel and a dense layer of red fruits – raisins, strawberry jam, dark cherries, prunes, you name it. Then evolves towards deeper notes of vanilla, toffee and molasses, complemented by very distinguished aromatic wood notes, polished oak, black treacle and walnut, with a touch of liquorice adding a subtle edge.

Finish: Long, warming and spiced while retaining that rounded character. The refined woodiness lingers, accompanied by baking spices of cinnamon and anise. Echoes of dark, rich sherried sweetness such as black cherries and dried plums. Leaves the mouth with mintiness and liquorice, alongside a light touch of leather and a very subtle smokiness that emerges right at the end.

My Thoughts:

This is rich, layered, with a really special old-world charm.

It's got that classic Macallan DNA, with its deep sherry influence and well-rounded palate, but being a vintage expression, it takes things a step further. There's a real intricacy here, with nuanced aged notes that speak to its time in the cask and the quality of the wood.

It seems like they've used much more European oak, which over time gives it a refined tannic structure and a gentle bitterness (think dark chocolate and espresso) that pairs beautifully with the treacle and sweet red fruits. And that subtle smokiness on the finish was an interesting touch you wouldn’t see in more modern Macallan expressions.

And despite its generosity of flavour, it's still very approachable and easy to drink. A truly distinguished dram!

Final Thoughts

This has been an eye-opening whisky showcase at the Naughty Corner! They have curated a comprehensive whisky bar with truly something to entice every kind of whisky lover’s palate, from a well-matured classic highland malt like this Ben Nevis, to a vintage Macallan and an Ardbeg for fans of Islay malt.

It’s worth noting that these are all A-list Scotch distilleries that tend to be protective of their branding, and it’s not often we would see names like Ardbeg or Macallan prominently labelled on independent bottlings. Such distilleries tend to only allow independent bottlers to use their names when they are confident in the quality of the liquid or its provenance. The fact that 67 Pall Mall could showcase these whiskies with the distillery names proudly displayed tells us volumes about the relationship they've fostered within the whisky industry and the access that Pall Mall members would have to some exceptional rare whiskies.

All of these whiskies are currently available to members by the dram at the Naughty Corner of the Club. Full bottles are also available for purchase.   

@CharsiuCharlie