Whisky highballs, an innovative tee course and a Scotland trip grand prize: Inside whisky maker's first S'pore golf invitational
Timed challenges to keep the ball in the air longest and sink all putts were part of Glenfiddich's creative tee course that drew inspiration from its collection of rare single malts
Aged, luxury whiskies and golf invitationals have plenty in common, and Scottish whisky maker Glenfiddich showed how they should be experienced at its inaugural golf invitational.
The event, which took place in July at the Serapong Golf Course at Sentosa Golf Club, was exclusively open to 80 guests who had one thing in common: a shared passion for golf and whisky. They earned their spot by purchasing a bottle of 30 Year Old single malt whisky from Glenfiddich's Time Re:Imagined series. The day offered a fresh and memorable experience to all who attended, complete with Glenfiddich's well-known Scottish hospitality. At the heart of the Glenfiddich Golf Invitational were three innovative tee challenges. Inspired by Glenfiddich's Time Re:Imagined series, they brought the brand's whisky-making philosophy and core values to the fore.
The first challenge underscored the importance of decisively selecting casks at the peak of their flavour. Much like how Mr Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich's malt master, halts whisky maturation to preserve the liquid's flavour profile for eternity, the players had to "suspend time" and keep the golf ball in the air for as long as possible.
The second challenge highlighted the distillery's innovative Remnant Vatting technique to create its 40-year-old offering. In this technique, a portion of the previous batch of whisky are carried over repeatedly and married with the new casks selected for a subsequent release. Likewise, players had to beat the game by achieving the longest and straightest time off the tee as a reminder that skill can only be honed through an accumulation of meaningful practice and time. The third and final challenge parallels the simultaneous effect of consistency and sound decision-making to create a 50-year-old whisky, mirrored by having players work together to sink all putts in a timed challenge.
An unexpected storm may have cut the golf game prematurely, but nothing could halt the celebratory atmosphere as the drinks flowed. Guests were treated to refreshing Glenfiddich highballs and a dinner menu designed to harmonise with the nuanced flavours of Glenfiddich expressions including the Gran Cortes 22 Year Old, currently only available to private clients of William Grant & Sons.
Prizes were given out through a lucky draw from sponsors Adidas and Taylormade alongside ultra-rare editions of Glenfiddich bottles, including the 23 Year Old Grand Cru, 26 Year Old Grande Couronne and 29 Year Old Grand Yozakura from the acclaimed Grand Series. One fortunate individual also went home with a rare single-cask Glenfiddich whisky flown in specially for the occasion.
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The grand prize - an all-expenses-paid trip to Scotland to explore William Grant & Sons' Glenfiddich distillery - went to Ms Ching Lee Ling.
"I'm excited by the privilege to visit the Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland and experience the exquisite hospitality I've heard so much about," she said.
Even participants who did not win a prize walked away with an exclusive J Lindeberg shirt and the newly released Adidas MC80 spikeless golf footwear as part of their welcome pack.
Glenfiddich's debut Golf Invitational was met with a resounding success and appreciation from its attendees, prompting the brand to establish it as a continued series.
Limited-edition whisky collection
The 50, 40 and 30 Year Old single malts from the Time Re:Imagined series are also bottled in unique casings that bring the whiskies' story to life
The Glenfiddich Time Re:Imagined series showcases the best aspects of Glenfiddich's signature style, accomplished through its unique mix of traditional know-how and groundbreaking innovation.
Since the 1960s, only three malt masters have been at the helm, overseeing the patient development of these rare and precious casks. Several decades later, these three single malts - the 50, 40 and 30 Year Old whiskies - have reached the peak of their maturity and are now ready for release. Here's what to look out for in each bottle.
30 Year Old - Suspended Time
According to Glenfiddich's malt master Brian Kinsman, once a cask of whisky is considered perfect and bottled, the result is effectively a moment suspended in time. Suspended Time is a reminder that whisky is about letting nature and time find the delicate balance between the whisky's character and the intensity of the oak cask and recognising that decisive moment. Even the packaging evokes this idea of an event suspended in mid-air, and in time.
Colour Rich bronze Nose An exquisitely structured balance of hearty oak married with sweet, subtle sherry notes Taste Deep, woody flavours interlaced with delicate floral accents in a complex combination Finish Warm, honeyed and exceptionally long-lasting
40 Year Old - Cumulative Time
Inspired by Glenfiddich's unique solera-like system, the Remnant Vatting technique is another method of blending batches of whisky to add complexity. The flavours come in waves; layers of dried fruits, dark chocolate, roasted coffee and ripe black cherries give way to rich fruit cake, dates, raisins and stewed apples. As it fades, dry, oaky notes, bitter chocolate and smoke present a perfect ending to a complex and memorable dram.
Colour Dark mahogany Nose A deeply layered expression of dried fruits, dark chocolate, roasted coffee and ripe black cherries. Completed with subtle waves of gentle wood smoke, polished leather and cloves Taste A luxuriously full and silky smooth taste, with memories of past releases in every nuanced note. Evolving from deep dried fruit notes to rich fruitcake, dates, raisins and stewed apples before giving way to dry, oaky notes with subtle hints of bitter chocolate and peat Finish Complex, memorable, and exquisitely long-lasting
50 Year Old - Simultaneous Time
Whiskies that are not over-oaked by this age are anomalies and are a celebration in itself. It all starts on the nose with the richness of Madeira and muscovado sugar, contesting the tanginess of rich orange peel and clementine, and develops with time into floral notes of dewy petrichor and geranium. It teases but a hint of the whisky's robust core of sun-dried vanilla and silky-smooth oak tannin, delivering an oaky sweetness that lingers long after the whisky is gone.
Colour Antique gold Nose Rich orange peel and clementine meet complex notes of Madeira cake and muscovado sugar. Maturing over time to give off earthy scents that are combined with geranium floral notes Taste A lingering sweetness softens into deep, silky smooth oak tannin and sun-dried vanilla Finish Oaky, sweet and incredibly long-lasting
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