(Image Source: Whisky Live)

Everyone in a relationship has a story about how they met their love. It usually goes something like: “we met during a New Year’s Eve party in 2016 and immediately felt a deep connection. We kissed as fireworks erupted and decided on the names of our first three children and dog.”

I’ll start out by saying that I nearly gave away my tickets to my first ever experience at the Whisky Live Singapore festival back in 2017.

You see, I didn't understand the whisky hype back then. "Alcohol was just alcohol," I thought. An appalling heresy to the whisky devotees and big spirits writers who supported me in growing one of the fastest growing drinks publication in Southeast Asia that now has contributors from all parts – Scotch folks in Malaysia, beerheads in Australia, rum maniacs from Indonesia and Philippines... And yet, to think I nearly gave up my tickets for 2017's Whisky Live! I would have missed out on what is probably the region's biggest and most exciting whisky festival.

I said three alarms, in reality it was more like five.

The date is 1 September 2022; I’m literally setting the alarm on my iPhone to remind me of the time online tickets sales go live. Heck, better to set three alarms! As this November's Whisky Live Singapore 2022 approaches (19 & 20 November, to be precise), it’s worth looking back at how Whisky Live changed my life in 2017...

As with all life-changing moments, it all starts with a 1am text message. You just hope it's good and hop on for the ride.

Yes, it started as you’d expect any life-changing event would – with a 1 AM text message from a close friend who just bought tickets for you as a surprise. Buying your first home, the birth of your child, bagging the job you want, your partner saying “yes” to your proposal; don’t they all start that way? No? Just me?

And so, on a balmy Saturday morning, I made my way down to Mohammad Sultan Road, in search for a curious “STPI Building”. As it turns out, the event’s organizers La Maison du Whisky had decidedly paired two exceptionally highbrow categories I had known nothing about together: Art and Whisky. Regardless, I made my way to the unmissable tentage to get tagged.

I arrived a little late, so I found my companion amidst some folks noticeably wearing a passion I don’t often see in Singapore, I must say. They were chatting away about terms like “cask strength” and something about “noses” and “finish”, discussing some esoteric concept of distillate vis-à-vis wood influence… 

Some see a tentage, perhaps. For me, it's the opening of a cocoon: on the other end, new experiences and ways of seeing await!

We collected our quaint tulip-shaped glasses and were whisked away to a large convention space that was lined with rows of brands showcasing their spirits. As I cautiously approached a stand donning the name “Teeling Irish Whiskey”, I would receive a little shove aside by another overly-enthused attendee, who quickly went up to the friendly brand ambassador with a laundry list of questions about the whisky. In rapid fire, he asked about the shapes of the pot stills, the species of oak used, and even about something that sounded like “tehwah” (terroir).

While I certainly didn’t appreciate the light shove, I couldn’t help edging closer to curiously eavesdrop on his many passionate questions. It was hard work answering his questions – but the brand ambassador was ridiculously knowledgeable, and smiley. 

“Was this guy buying a house or a whisky?”, I wondered.

You can expect over 2,000 participants and 60 brands showcasing their works. Be battle-ready. (Image Source: Whisky Live)

“Was this guy buying a house or a whisky?”, I wondered. When the right honourable gentleman was satisfied, he walked off to speak to the next stand. Lather, rinse and repeat. “How interesting, a close encounter with a mighty peculiar species I’ve never come across before,” and yet I began to begrudgingly feed off the infectious excitement.

“Surely, this must be good, I should try it,” and so the friendly brand ambassador poured me a glass and gave me a quick rundown of what I was trying. I understood nothing. Which I’d be the first to admit, was on me. With a persistent and evergreen smile, she attended to the next participant.

And boy, was that some insanely good whisky. I might not have at the time understood anything about how Teeling was one of the most promising whiskies to come out of Ireland, famous for their pot still methods that are unique to the country, but I sure knew what was objectively delicious.

Booth after booth, my buddy and I made our rounds having tried all manners of whiskies, rums, gins and tequilas. Did you know Thailand makes its own rum? It’s called Chalong Bay. I was today years old when I had learnt it that day. Or how about a whisky that tasted like fruitcake and raisins called Glendronach? I couldn’t even pronounce it, but boy did I love it! A vanilla spongecake-tasting Bourbon called Buffalo Trace?

So it turned out, the highbrow hoity-toity perception I had was all in my head. What constantly reassured me was just how friendly the ambassadors at the booths were. I was unbearable with my countless questions. (Image Source: Whisky Live)

I must’ve tried at least two dozen whiskies, rums and gins that day, but perhaps what I was most surprised at was just how much fun I was having. My compadre and I might not have identified ourselves as “drinkers”, or even less so “aficionados”, but that afternoon we bonded over the taste of the new liquids in our glasses and the aromas that we never knew could exist in an alcoholic beverage. We disagreed over which one we liked more - he liked the smoky stuff, while I much preferred the fruitier and floral spirits (I’m probably right though). But, we both agreed that we were having an absolute ball of a time.

“Just have a good time and find out what you enjoy, your opinion matters and no one else’s does!” I was told. Who knew the holy grail cure to self-consciousness was to be found in the halls of whisky purveyors.

I made new friends, drank a whole bunch of good stuff I couldn't pronounce, and all that mattered was what I liked. (Image Source: Whisky Live)

I finally got it. I understood why people love whiskies and rums. Each distillery is unique. One could create a stunning diversity of distinct flavour profiles - whether it is sweet, caramel-ly, fruity, smoky, flowery, ocean-y, peppery, smells of aviation fuel or burnt rubber - from three simple ingredients of water, barley and wood. There are also the captivating stories, personality and philosophy of each producer that make us appreciate the hundred-year effort put into perfecting a craft.

What struck me most was how I was constantly encouraged by everyone around with the quip “Ahh! Don’t worry about whether you know what’s what!” and “Just have a good time and find out what you enjoy, your opinion matters and no one else’s does!”

Astounding, little had anyone known that in the halls of Whisky Live Singapore was the cure to even the worst case of self-consciousness! The vibrant setting with cheerful crowds, friendly ambassadors, the lack of snobbery or pretension; all of which pierced through any preconceived ideas I might have had about the world of fine spirits. So, at the end of it all, it was truly about having fun and trying to find stuff I liked. I was in love.

Amid the blur of tasting sessions and masterclasses, I built a natural rapport with a fellow attendee who had just discovered her love for rums. I did not speak to Rum Girl again after the event. But years later, I would run into her at a mutual friend's wedding, where we nodded in silent acknowledgement of a fellow drinks lover. Never did we openly speak of the pleasant evening we shared in 2017...

I had never seen something like this on any alcohol shelf. It still strikes me till this day.

To commemorate that fateful fun-filled day, my chum and I had decided we should both pick up a bottle together. And so we chose one that read Artist Collective Distilled in Clynelish Distillery in 1996. It wore a beautiful label that I had never seen in any bottle sitting on any shelf.

We agreed we’d open it and share a glass whenever we were to encounter big moments in our lives. Our university commencement, new jobs, weddings, housewarmings, we’d always whip out that fateful bottle of Clynelish; and boy was it good whisky. It had aromas of sweet honey, a bittersweetness of dark chocolates and a delightful zestyness of orange peel. It has a sort of velvety texture like maltose candy, and tasted of rich vanilla, raisins, apricots and perfumery chamomile blossoms, with gentle wafts of lychee and peaches. It ends off with a nicely contrasting hit of drying acidity amidst the fruitiness; all throughout giving off plumes of comforting warmth. It is delicious.

It still tastes amazing till this day. It's only gotten better as each glass celebrates a milestone in our lives.

Yet, without a doubt, what made it taste exceptional was, as cheesy as it sounds, reminiscing that very day I shared with my bruv – a day full of laughter, curiosity and camaraderie.

I had so much fun that day that it would drive me to join a bunch of good folks in creating a community-driven website to help others appreciate fine spirits better, to make the space much less stuffy and much more fun and accessible. All of which was simply a bid to capture the great moments I had at my first Whisky Live.

The happy camper I was bringing my treasure back home after an afternoon of raucous laughter. 

Well, Whisky Live Singapore is happening in just a couple of weeks. If you’re looking for fun, laughter, a great bonding experience, perhaps even a date idea; or maybe you’re open to completely changing your life and starting a website dedicated to having fun with great whiskies, rums, gins, tequilas, and more (I’ve chope-d "88 Bamboo" with a digital tissue paper packet, so pick another name), tickets to Whisky Live 2022 are available.

Some people go for Sunday service, I attend Whisky Live annually, religiously.

As someone whose been thoroughly won over ever since my 2017 experience, it’s heartening to see Whisky Live back and bigger than ever. This year’s itinerary promises an even larger Whisky Hall, a first-time-ever Rum Gallery, the Spirits Avenue and Cocktail Terrace (pssst... there's Daiquiri machine even!), so there’s something for everyone. Additionally, a constant fan favorite is the chance to be the first to check out exclusive new bottle releases and launches. Free Masterclasses are obviously always a big hit as well, and are often quickly get booked out.

For those who do make the pilgrimage, you too can grab your own forever bottle at the La Boutique. I’m getting a little lightheaded just imagining the possibilities.

Get yourself a one-way ticket to an experience of a lifetime at S$130. This bullet train departs soon, you might not want to miss it.

And in full disclosure: we’re not sponsored, but we've got something for you - Whisky Live is offering a $30 discount on Connoisseur Pass purchases when you use the discount code "88B4MB00”.

Kanpai!

@111hotpot