Wine, Sipirits & Cigars    1

World’s Most Expensive Spirits

 

Johnny Walker Black Label collector's edition

Whiskey titan Johnny Walker keeps walking on in Formula 1 and this year, in line with the first night Grand Prix, it launched a special Black Label F1 Night Race Pack at Singapore's Changi Airport.

The whiskey is the reliable Black Label 12 Years but the packaging reflects both Singapore's skyline and the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 race car.

This marks a first for the brand, given that they have never created a collector's edition for a specific race before. The pack debuted Aug 1, 2008 in Changi's DFS store and is available exclusively there for one month before beginning a world tour of other DFS outlets.

These include Mumbai, New Zealand and Abu Dhabi and, apart from the DFS outlets in these locations, the whiskey will not be available anywhere else.

The world's first Scottish single malt vodka

The Society Bar introduces Valt, an exclusive, luxury Scottish single malt barley vodka. "Single malt? Vodka made in Scotland?", I hear you say. Well, yes. Director of Rubicon Reserve Wines and wine enthusiast, David Coleman, said apparently, the Scots have been making it for years - before whisky becomes whisky, it starts out as a single malt vodka. Previously, the Scots threw the vodka away, now, they've decided to drink it!

Your Plush mistress tasted the world's first Scottish single malt vodka and the various signature cocktails created by it. I believe that when it comes to food and drinks, taste is personal. To set the record straight, I love sweet drinks whether spirits, cocktails or wine. I'm not too much of a fan of salty, sour and spicy. Hence, the Valt experience was a different one for me.

Valt Flight (left) is a choice of five flavours: chilli, cinnamon, grapefruit, kaffir lime and raspberry.

Valt Flight infused with chilli was literally "Oh my Plushness!". Hot and spicy, it's a liquid fire not for the faint-hearted such as moi. Sharp and bitter to the palate, it's a good mix to Society Bar's Bloody Mary to awaken your senses.

Grapefruit was subtle but had a bit of a burn to the throat. Kaffir Lime tasted very much like lemon grass although it's infused with a hint of lime. A rather nice Asian flavour.

Cinnamon was spicy and strong and much like the taste of Christmas. Add it to ginger beer and you'll get something that resembles a Moscow Mule. The best was raspberry. Fruity and sweet, just the way your Plush mistress likes it!

Now that my palate had tasted the various infusions of Valt neat, I moved on to Society Bar's signature cocktails made from Valt. First up, Valty Towers (right). Made with Limoncello, lemon, sugar and basil, it is a very summery, refreshing drink. It tastes like a Mojito with a twist and is more on the sour side.

Society Bloody Mary was not my cup of tea, or spirit, in this case. David said it's the ultimate kickstart to your day, or evening. The extra zing comes from horseradish. An acquired taste for someone like mine-self but fabulous for those who love a savoury taste.

Muddy Valtini was another example of something I didn't enjoy. Also known as a Dirty Martini, the marriage of olives and Valt was rather smooth for some.

On to what I thought was fab! Red Rubies (left) was a simple pleasure of infusing Champagne with Raspberry. Simple and sweet. A Bellini styled drink with a bit of a tang and a great after taste.

If the Scots had made Vodka sooner and had the climate for limes, this is the drink they would have dreamt up. Valtiroska was much like a Caprioska. Garnished with mint leaves, it was refreshing and kept your Plush mistress' tongue waging for a little more.

Put down the Vodka, enter the whisky. Other than Valt, David wanted us to try Sullivans Cove Whisky. And, of course, we did.

The Plush stamp of approval is given to the Sully Shuffle (right). By far, the best of all the drinks I sampled; funny that it's a whisky that I chose. It's made from Sullivans Cove Whisky which is rated 98/100 and is the sixth best whisky in the world. This is the first time Sullivans Cove is served out of Tasmania. Sully Shuffle is made with egg whites, raisins, orange zest and lemon sorbet. It was smooth, sexy and a girly drink in a masculine way - a creamy whisky.

Leaving a little light headed, your Plush mistress will be a resident in Society Bar sampling the cocktails on offer in time to come.

The Prime Spirits

Valt Single Malt Scottish Vodka

Distilled in traditional copper pot stills using soft Highland water of the Spey and uniquely 100% malted barley, a secret charcoal and chill filtration process perfects the quintuple distillation in its individuality.

Nose: Barley sugar and cream
Taste: Sweet vanilla ice cream
Finish: Warm, melting butter

Sullivans Cove Whisky

A whisky brewed and distilled using the finest quality barley and pure water sourced only in Tasmania. A favourite of France's foremost whisky critic, Gregoire Sarafian.

Nose: Thick and frank, fresh and generous
Taste: Herbal with a tinge of spinces, complex fruitiness of citrus, quince, golden apple with a hint of pear
Finish: Well balanced fruity finishFormun AltıThe world's most expensive champagneThe world's most expensive champagneThe world's first Scottish single malt vodkaThe world's first Scottish single malt vodkaFormun Altı

 

 

Square One Botanical Spirit

Not a flavored vodka and not a gin, there is no ready description for Square One Botanical, the new organic rye spirit, from Square One Spirits. Like a gin, the new spirit gets a kick from botanicals. It is infused with eight organic botanicals - pear, rose, chamomile, lemon verbena, lavender, rosemary, coriander and citrus peel for an experience that is softer than gin. Square One Botanical sells for around $40 and the website includes a variety of recipes for using it. The floral notes make it a good match for fresh fruit and juices to make refreshing summer cocktails.

 

Beijing hosts China’s first fine French wine auction

From famous chateaux ranging from Lafite to Margaux and Mouton, wine lovers had a chance to bid for top French wine in Beijing on Friday at the first wine auction yet on the Chinese mainland.

Around 1,000 bottles of fine wine from France’s renowned Bordeaux area were on auction with a starting price of several hundred to several thousand U.S. dollars Xinhua reports.

 

Glenmorangie –The Ultimate Father’s Day Gift

Enjoyed alone as a nightcap, it is a sublime pleasure rewarding the end of another hard day.

Amongst friends, it is a token of good taste and goodwill. But the award-winning and most delicious malt whisky in the world, Glenmorangie, also makes the ultimate Father’s Day gift.

The Glenmorangie Company defines the art of creating super premium single malt whiskies, and has been distilling since 1843 in the Scottish Highlands.

Today, artisans known as The Sixteen Men of Tain create a luxury range of styles which includes The Original, extra matured bottling, and a range of special editions.

Each of these has its own unique character – and thus each is ideally suited a different type of father.

Critically acclaimed for generations, the iconic Glenmorangie Original is the whisky for the friendly, easy-going dads.

As the name suggests, it is the original expression of Glenmorangie’s elegant, floral brand – an intriguing marriage of delicate spirit and long, slow maturation in bourbon casks from Missouri.

It is acclaimed by luxury spirit drinkers worldwide for its exquisite finesse and alluring complexity.

For the dad with strong passions, Glenmorangie Lasanta is the perfect choice.

It is elegant and full-bodied with a sweet flavour that comes from being extra matured in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks after at least 10 years in bourbon casks.

It is luscious with a deep, enticing aroma which appeals to the luxury spirit drinkers who like to experiment.

The velvety-textured Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban on the other hand is the kind of bold spirit you would choose for energetic, confident, colourful and dynamic dads – the kind who like to take the lead.

It is extra matured in ruby port pipes from wine estates in Portugal, developing a voluptuously smooth and complex balance of sweet and dry flavours – rich, chocolately and minty, reminiscent of a traditional Christmas dinner party.

For sophisticated dads with a more refined, sensual nature, Glenmorangie Nectar D’Òr is the one with tremendous ‘gourmand’ appeal.

Extra matured in hand-selected Sauternes wine barriques, it is rich and sumptuous with luscious lemony, syrupy flavours and the beguiling aroma of a French patisserie.

But Glenmorangie’s ultimate new single malt, Signet, is the one you would choose for the perfectionist dads – an unorthodox, revolutionary whisky of extraordinary taste and unparalleled flavour.

Unlike any other super premium spirit, every ingredient and detail is specially selected and bespoke, a creation of truly pioneering innovation, unrelenting passion and secrecy.

This marriage of Glenmorangie’s rarest and oldest whiskies is the brand’s most innovative product to date, created from precious ingredients including high roasted ‘chocolate’ malted barley which delivers depth and intensity, and is matured in exclusive casks which allow it to develop sublime flavours and velvet textures.

Moet & Chandon offer a chance to design your very own bottle of MyMoet champagne

Lately many champagnes are being offered in unique designer bottles. But sometimes you wish you could just change the style and design to match your style. So here’s your chance to design your very own bottle of bubbly. Moet & Chandon now let you design your own 750 ml or 1.5 liter bottles of bubbly by customizing the placement of Swarovski crystals. A great way to display your design skills, these customized MyMoet bottles would be the center of attraction at any event you host. A great way to add a touch of sparkle to your favorite drink these bottles are sure to become a rage with champagne lovers.

 

 

Bringing across a new definition to the world of luxury stands this post capturing the pricey spirits that would make you feel high over a simple read. Those who wish to have their hard liquor seem really classy shall keep their fingers here. Let’s start with world’s most expensive cognac; the Henri IV Dudognon Heritage Cognac Grande Champagne that comes packed in a bejeweled crystal bottle bathed in 24K yellow gold and sterling platinum festooned with 6, 500 certified brilliant cut diamonds. Did I tell you it is retailed at $1,946,617 only? Moving on further, we have the world’s most expensive tequila, the La Ley del Diamante (the Diamond Sterling) Tequila that is available in a hand-blown glass covered with four kilograms of pure platinum and sterling silver .925 and 6,000 brilliant-cut diamond and is priced at $1,547,880. It carries around 42% alcohol.

Following the queue is the DIVA Premium Vodka, the priciest one retailed at $1,060,000. Produced using natural spring water and triple-distilled, each bottle holds a glass center packed with precious or semi-precious jewels, counting diamonds.

Starting with the world’s most expensive whiskies, we have Nun’s Island, Galway Distillery, 20-Year-Old Pure Pot Still Whisky and Nun’s Island, Galway Distillery and 25-Year-Old Pure Pot Still Whisky. Each one is retailed at nearly $194,661. And finally not to forget the “Ho Ho Ho and aa bottle of Rum”! Manufactured by Jamaican distillers Wray and Nephew, the Wray and Nephew Rum was bottled in the 1940s using diverse blends and you would be glad to know that counted four unopened bottles are available across the world and each one is priced at $50,638.

 

Champagne - Louis Roederer Cristal 1990

According to Forbes Krug Clos du Mesnil 1995 is the most expensive champagne that can be bought off the shelf.A single bottle will set you back $750.00 USD, but you'd better hurry as only 12,624 bottles were ever produced.

 

On September 27 2005 A Methuselah of Louis Roederer Cristal 1990 sold for $14,730.00 in a London auction.

 

 

 

Jade Jagger & Belvedere Unveils $250,000 Jagger Dagger

It’s being quite some time that Belvedere vodka is in news for its promotional strategies, thereby strengthening brand’s image. The latest tool it has picked is the Jagger Dagger, a sword developed by jewelry designer Jade Jagger, daughter of Rolling Stone Mick Jagger and model Bianca Jagger. The sword dipped in 18K-white gold comes encrusted with 12-carats of brilliant-cut diamonds, 42 pastel sapphires, and a vital blue lapis lazuli square. The blade is formed using mirror-polished carbon steel with an impression of the similar tree twigs that adorn the Belvedere bottle.

The “Jagger Dagger” is being considered for tableside ice-picking service with the sword provided by servers at distinct nightspots i.e. 1OAK in New York, Crystal in London and VIP in Paris. Lately, Jade unveiled this revolutionary creation by throwing a gala party in the company of around 90 plus guests. The dagger is retailed at $250,000.

If you can’t afford to buy this luxury then would suggest you to go for other models that have white topaz and aquamarine instead of diamonds and sapphires. This one would cost you only $10,000.

 

OVAL Swarovski Crystal Vodka bottle

Vodka is considered as a stress buster by alcoholics. And this gives another reason to vodka manufacturers for offering variety in their productions, thereby having their own USP. Having seen Vodka 360, world’s first green vodka; another vodka bottle from Russia, land of vodka and not to miss world’s most expensive vodka, today all eyebrows are raised upon Swarovski crystal vodka bottle by Oval.

OVAL Vodka very well imprisons the heart of aficionados via its matchless purity, unsurpassed silkiness and ravishing esprit. But news is here it plans to don a bling feel by offering a limited edition version of the award winning OVAL vodka bottle anticipated to hit coming April. The new bottle will brag cutting-edge structure and is bejeweled with almost 7000 Swarovski crystals. For now, this pricey bottle is featured on the back bars of the eminent clubs counting ‘The Glorifier,’ which is a revolving LCD display unit, pointing its luminous Swarovski Crystals. Retailed at £3,500 ($6,922), the OVAL Swarovski Crystal bottle will reach only in counted naight clubs based in London viz. Embassy, Dolce, Amika, Maya, Tramp, Maddox, and Chinawhite.

 

 

Vodka 360: World’s First Green Vodka

 

What can be a height of a boozer to reflect his eco-friendly attitude? Holding green vodka! It is workable now with the availability of one. This unique and green substitute to the run-of-the-mill vodka is Vodka 360 that claims to be the world’s first eco luxury vodka. The foundation of this revolutionary vodka rests upon the fact that the liquor is invented to spread eco-awareness and corporate responsibility with greener methods and products. What Else? Vodka 360 is distilled almost four times and filtered five-times. Sounds appetizing! So, it time to flaunt yourself with green vodka in your hand and earn compliments for your eco-stylish lifestyle. Ooops..did I tell you it is priced at $25-$30 for 750ml.

 

Taste of Russia: Beaute du Siecle; Hennessy Cognac Treasure Chest

True, Russia is considered as the land of vodka, but it’s a tawny alcohol from France adds a spark of a Cognac Rush in the territory of hyper-rich oligarchs and aficionados. This occurrence is not driven by well-to-do Russians but also the emerging wealthy middle layers of society. Celebration of occasions doesn’t seem to be complete if the glaring bottle of crystal-encrusted cognac nestled with a fancy chest is not flowed. Not to forget the age and price of the cognac, which shares a directly proportional relationship.

Leading cognac brand Hennessy latest offering of ultra-Cognac-dream is Beauté du Siècle, an ornate treasure chest that comes packed with luxurious items, a Baccarat decanter carrying a blend of Cognac dated 1907. Counter 100 treasure chest are being designed by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel and would go on sale for €150,000, or $220,000. The delivery with happen by a Hennessy board member personally. Also you can eye Hennessy’s Ellipse, a €7,000 Baccarat decanter that is an amalgam of Cognacs admired by seven generations of Hennessy’s blend-masters.

 

The four-big Cognac houses that rule Russia are Hennessy, dominating the minds of the people followed by Rémy Martin, Martell and Courvoisier combating for their share. Russia has reached to the pedestal of world’s No. 7 market for Cognac after a long race. It consumed around 5.3 million bottles during the year ending July, which is 49% more than the corresponding period a year ago.

 

 

 

Cognac

Cognac is such prestigious liquor that it must only be produced in the region of France for which it is named. In addition to that, all cognac must be ninety percent comprised of three different types of grapes that are found in that region – Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Colombard grapes. There is a list of criteria, including these two that the cognac must meet before it is then turned over to the Bureau National Interprofessionel du Cognac (BNIC) when they will determine if the liquor can truly be called a cognac. All of this criteria makes cognac a very expensive liquor but there is one that tops them all.The most expensive cognac is Henri IV Dudognon Heritage and it is named after a French king. This king’s family has been making the cognac since 1776. The wine is placed in barrels where it will age for one hundred years. These barrels need to be air dried for five years before any cognac can be placed into them. The cognac that comes out of the barrels after one-hundred-and-five years is 41% alcohol, making it 82 proof.

The bottle in which the cognac is placed also contributes to it being the most expensive cognac in the world. The bottle is dipped in twenty-four karat gold and sterling platinum before being decorated with 6,500 brilliant cut diamonds. The total cost for this fine bottle of cognac?

$2 million USD.

 

 

 

NEXT >>