Malt Madam

Shareen Yew, the founder of Single and Available, helps others appreciate single malt whiskies

- Aaron Pereira

A brand that has been around for over two decades already, Shareen Yew first enthrals me with the story of how the company name and logo came about, back in 2000. “I came up with the name Single and Available and designed the logo using PowerPoint. Those days, you didn’t have as many apps to help you create—I wanted to use the ampersand symbol in between the black and white [elements] of the logo, but it just couldn’t be done at the time,” she explains, referring to her aptly named business that initially focused purely on the distribution of single malt whiskies.

Single malt whiskies tend to have a more pronounced and complex flavour profile. The use of malted barley and the unique characteristics of individual distilleries contribute to the distinct flavours of single malts.

In comparison, blended whiskies aim to create a balanced and accessible flavour by combining different whisky styles. It can offer a smoother and more approachable taste, although the flavour profile may be less distinctive.