CHANGING TASTES

Whisky continues to be in high demand among discerning sippers all over the world. But how will local trends adapt in an ever-evolving industry?

- EVIGAN XIAO

WHISKIES COME IN MANY FORMS - single malt, single grain, blended, Scotch, Irish, Japanese, Indian. Whatever the form, one thing is evident: Singapore has a distinct appreciation for whisky. Back in December last year, the city state saw the return of Whisky Journey, a tasting trail that featured over 1,000 whiskies from 20 distilleries, taking place over 10 days. Undoubtedly, it was a welcome break from the doom and gloom cast by the pandemic crisis.

As we move into 2021, things are once again poised to change. As the whisky industry continues to adapt to the global surge in demand, revamping or expanding core collections becomes increasingly common observations among distilleries. Such tactics have a pronounced effect on the market, often catalysing a shift in perspectives and attitudes towards a centuries-old spirit. In a conversation with Chua Khoon Hui, organiser of Whiskey Journey and founder of The Whisky Store, we discovered just how much and how well local mindsets have adjusted over the years.

One of the more significant developments in the industry is larger conglomerates (e.g. Diageo) absorbing more distilleries and diversifying their portfolio. What is your take on this, with regard to how it affects the consumer?