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Welcome to the big, wide world of alcohol. Whether you’re a veteran or a beginner, there is always something new to learn about aqua vitae. You might be a white wine connoisseur who has never tried sake, or an all-out beer fan who wants to experiment with single malt whisky brands. Or perhaps you’re looking for the best place to find duty-free baijiu or soju in Singapore. Whatever you’re looking for, iShopChangi will have you sorted – so read on to find out what tickles your fancy!
Alcohol is the common name for the chemical ethanol. It comes in a variety of forms, including beer, wine, and distilled spirits. Beer and wine are produced by ethanol fermentation, the process in which yeasts convert sugars into energy, carbon dioxide and ethanol in the absence of oxygen. Spirits and liquors, meanwhile, are produced by distillation, whereby the component parts of a fermented alcohol are separated through a process of boiling and condensation. Aside from its technical, chemical definitions, alcohol is commonly known as the drink you consume to loosen up and have a great time!
Alcohol has a long, long history. Evidence of alcohol fermentation dates back to the Neolithic period, making it one of the most timeless recreational activities in human culture. In ancient pottery jars from Northern China, analysis has revealed that mead, wine and rice beer were being produced as early as 7000 BC. Barley-brewed beer in Egypt has been dated back to 500 BC, while winemaking in Rome begins its documented history in 200 BC. Distillation of alcohol, meanwhile, was first undertaken by Muslim chemists in the Arab world in approximately 800 AD. This is likely where alcohol first got its name: al-kuhl, which was the Arabic term for “liquids produced by boiling down”.
There is a good reason that people have been consuming alcohol for so long! Since alcohol relaxes your muscles and inhibits anxiety, it has often been called “liquid courage”, making it a winning combination at parties, festivals, bars, nightclubs and celebrations. Today, there is a growing trend of appreciating alcohol for its taste, and finding each bottle’s perfect pairing with particular cuisines. In what follows, we’ll take you through the specific qualities present in different types of alcohol, as well as the nuances of regions across the world.
While beer, wine and cocktails have been the dominant drinks at social gatherings to-date, spirits such as gin, vodka, sake, rum and whisky are on the rise. There are also hundreds of brands within each alcoholic category: for instance, whisky features dozens of single malt Scotch whiskies from Scotland, as well as dozens of whisky blends from Japan. Dig a little beneath the surface and you will find a jungle of fascinating and delicious flavours just waiting to be explored.
Beer is the perfect accompaniment to a pub meal, a night out with friends, or a restful evening on the couch after a long day at work. All beers are made from grains: usually malted barley, but maize, corn, and rice also feature. The grains are mashed up and brewed to make a wort, which is the liquid component of the mash containing the sugars. While ales and lagers are the two broad categories under which these flavours fit, they can be subdivided into stouts, pilsners, craft beers, pale ale, Indian Pale Ales (IPAs), American Pale Ales (APAs), to name a few.
Ales And Lagers
We usually see beers in either ale or lager form. During fermentation of the wort, ales use top-fermenting yeast which takes place in warm climates, while lagers use bottom-fermenting yeast in cooler climates. Ales can be categorised into pale ales, IPAs, APAs and stouts, while lagers can be split into pilsners, pale lagers and dark lagers.
A bottle of Peroni Nastro Azzurro is an accessible starting place for a pale lager. Other good choices for lagers include the Kaiserdom Pilsener and the Pabst Blue Ribbon Original Lager. For ales, start with a 4 Pines Pale Ale or a Kaiju! Krush Tropical Pale Ale, before moving onto heavier beers, such as the New Belgium Voodoo Ranger IPA or Guinness Extra Stout.
Craft Beer
Craft beers are made from independently owned breweries. Typically, craft beers differentiate themselves by unique flavour combinations of hops, malt and yeast, as well as variations in brewing techniques. Try a TTL Honey Beer from Taiwan or a Kona Big Wave Golden Ale from Hawaii to get a feel for their flavours.
Cider
Cider, unlike beer, is made from fermented apples. The resulting taste is much sweeter and lighter than beer, a great option if you find yourself feeling full from other brewskies. To start your cider journey, buy a six pack of Brothers Toffee Apple English Cider and Thatchers Gold English Cider. Both brands are relatively accessible price-wise.
Wines are classy and delicious. With a long history and extensive usage in cooking, celebration and religious ceremony, wine is a staple beverage enjoyed by many during celebrations and parties. For thousands of years, Chinese, Italian, Persian and Georgian winemakers have cultivated the drink for enjoyment across the world, making it one of the oldest merchandised drinks on earth. All wines are made from the juice of grapes, but beyond this fact, reds, whites and sparkling wines are distinct in their production process. Beyond taste profile, wines are classified by region. In Europe, the main wine-growing regions are Italy, Spain, France; in the Americas, the United States and Argentina produce the most; in the Asia-Pacific, Australian and Chinese wines dominate; while in Africa, wine is mostly produced in South Africa.
Red Wines
Red wines get their colour from the skin and juice of purple grapes. While the juice is pale green in colour, the skin is darker, giving the wine its deep red appearance. Red wines are classified as either full-bodied or light-bodied, and as either savoury or sweet. Savoury wines include the light, often fruity Pinot Noir and Grenache; the smoother, medium-bodied Sangiovese, Merlot, Tempranillo and Montepulciano; as well as the bold, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Malbec. Sweet red wines feature fortified wines, such as port, sherry and brandy. Usually, lighter wines are made in cooler climates, while bolder wines hail from warmer climates.
Try a selection of red wine varieties from different regions, to see which you like the most. For instance, you might opt for a light-bodied Albert Bichot Pinot Noir from France, a medium-bodied Capa Tempranillo from Spain, and a full-bodied Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz from Australia.
White Wines
White wines are made from fermented grape juice without the skin. They are typically derived from white, green or yellow-coloured grapes, although they can be made using the pulp (and not the skin) of red grapes. As with red wines, white wines can be dry or sweet. Dry whites include Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio; fresh, fruity wines are usually associated with Pinot Gris; while Chardonnay is considered a bold and rich white wine. Riesling and Moscato are considered sweeter than most white wines, although Riesling can be made dry, too.
White wines can only truly be appreciated by experiencing their full variety. Try a Houghton Stripe Sauvignon Blanc from Australia for a dry white wine to pair with a fish dish. For a fresh white wine, pick a bottle of Mud House Pinot Gris from New Zealand. If you prefer something sweeter, consider the Brass Tacks Pink Moscato from the United States.
Sparkling Wines
Sparkling wines are made by maintaining the by-product of carbon dioxide inside the wine after it is fermented, during a secondary fermentation process. As a result, the carbon dioxide is converted into a fizzy gas, giving the characteristic “sparkle” for which it is named. Sparkling wines are categorised from dry (brut) to sweet (sec). They are produced primarily in the French Champagne region, the Italian Prosecco region and the Australian sparkling regions.
For a variety of sparkling wines to experiment with, try a large bottle of Moët et Chandon Réserve Impériale Champagne from France; a Villa Sandi Extra Brut Prosecco from Italy; and a Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz from Australia.
Distilled and made from fermented grain, whisky is a classic tipple of choice for those with a refined palate for their spirits. The grain is usually malted barley, but can include corn, rye and wheat. Whiskies fit into two broad categories: single malt whiskies, made using only malted barley; and blended whiskies, made using a combination of barley, malted barley and other grains.
Scotch Whisky
Scotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland. Widely considered the home of whisky, Scotland has been producing the delicious drink since the 15th century. Many of the original distilleries in Scotland continue to produce high-quality single malt and blended whisky to this day. Those getting started in the Scotch world should begin with a bottle of Ailsa Bay Single Malt, before venturing into the premium offerings such as the Glenfiddich 18 Year Old Single Malt or the Royal Salute 25 Year Old Whisky Blend.
Japanese Whisky
Japan’s whisky scene has been respected worldwide since its inception in the late 19th century. With distilleries in several Prefectures, whiskies from Japan feature a wide-ranging flavour profile which represents the country’s geographic diversity. As the country’s oldest distillery, Yamazaki is a brand you must try: start with the Yamazaki Distiller’s Reserve Single Malt. For variety, opt for a bottle of the Suntory Chita Single Grain or Kamiki Sakura Malt Whisky.
American Whisky
While you can buy single malt American whisky, most American whiskies are bourbon. Bourbon is made using at least 51% corn, plus a variety of other grains, including barley, rye and wheat. Those looking for American whisky should try Jack Daniel’s Old No.7, while those in search of bourbon should try the Maker’s Mark 46. Both will get your taste buds tingling!
Distilled liquors are alcoholic beverages which have been through a process of boiling and condensation. Liquor can be made from fruits, vegetables or grains. Once the constituent parts of the liquor have been separated, only the essence or “spirit of the liquor” remains (hence their collective name, “spirits”). However, liquors can also be imbued with flavours, to make other unique drinks like sweet spirits and coffee liqueur.
Brandy, Cognac And Sake
Brandy, cognac and sake are all forms of distilled wine. Brandy is made by distilling a base wine made of grapes, and cognac is considered a type of brandy derived from the Cognac region of France. Sake, meanwhile, is distilled rice wine, typically made in Japan. Brandy and cognac lovers should get started on a bottle of Hennessy Cognac or Martell Cordon Bleu, while those after sake should try their luck with Kawashima Sake.
Gin
The word “gin” is an abbreviation of the English word ‘jenever’, referring to the juniper berries from which gin is produced. Gin has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with gin bars, cocktails and blends hitting the nightlife scene worldwide. Two of the most recognisable brands are Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray, however, newer distilleries like the Australian Four Pillars are also well worth your time.
Rum
Rum is made from fermented and distilled sugarcane molasses or juice. Most production takes place in the Caribbean and the Americas, although major rum distilleries also exist in the Philippines, Taiwan and Australia. For the essence of Central and Latin American flavours, try brands such as The Lovers Rum or El Supremo. The Australian rum-lovers out there will adore Bundaberg, while those looking for dark rum will enjoy Captain Morgan.
Tequila
Distilled from the famed blue agave plant of Mexico, tequila is a party-favourite with a unique, inimitable flavour to die for. Tequila is sweet and sugary, but it also contains notes of citrus and pepper. If you have never tried tequila before, be warned: you may experience a bit of a shock on your first gulp! In time, we are sure that you will come to adore and obsess over the flavours as we do. Grab a bottle of 1800 Silver or 1800 Reposado for your next round of tequila shots.
Baijiu
Baijiu is an alcohol typically distilled from sorghum or rice, with most production taking place in its birth country of China. Two major brands you must try include the Chinese Xijiu or Wuliangye, while Penfold’s Spirited Wine with Baijiu offers a unique flavour sensation direct from South Australia.
Soju
Soju is the spirit speciality of South Korea. While soju is often produced from rice, wheat or barley, potato and sweet potato distillations are not uncommon. The Korean brands Jinro and Chum Churum are among the most popular: try Jinro Grapefruit Soju and Chum Churum Soju if you’re a newbie.
Vodka
Those looking for the most intense flavour of alcohol should look no further than vodka. Primarily composed of water and ethanol, vodka has some of the highest alcohol by volume (ABV) levels on the market. There are a range of vodka brands to choose from, including Smirnoff, Grey Goose, Danzka, Ciroc and E.T.51. Looking for vodka in Singapore? Try a bottle of Smirnoff No.57, Grey Goose and Ciroc Summer Watermelon to see which flavours are more up your alley.
No matter what your preference is for alcohol, there is sure to be a drink out there for you. The online store of Singapore Changi Airport features alcohol brands to your heart’s content: from the bold, bright flavours of a Penfolds Pinot Noir, to the tangy sweetness of tequila, you are guaranteed to find something you will enjoy. Snap up a bottle or two at duty-free prices, and make the most of free delivery to Singaporean addresses with a purchase of $59 or more.
Shop duty-free alcohol online at iShopChangi today and enjoy your next social gathering with a lip-smacking bottle of grog!
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