Showcasing some of the rarest and finest wines and spirits from around the world, one of Asia’s largest retail events of its kind, the DFS Masters of Wines and Spirits (MOWS), is returning for its fifth instalment.

This year’s curated collection includes more than 60 pieces from 47 legendary houses; and, for the first time, it will be held close to the heart of Singapore’s main shopping belt at the DFS T Galleria on Scotts Road.

Unlike past years, the event is open to the public and features complimentary tastings of new releases every Friday and Saturday (from tomorrow to Nov 28) between 6pm and 8pm. Better yet, the collection will be exhibited in-store and is available for sale at duty-free prices until Nov 30.

Organised in partnership with Changi Airport Group and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, this year’s edition, which also pays tribute to Singapore’s Golden Jubilee, will see the T Galleria featuring a dedicated bar on every floor. The custom-built Dom Perignon Champagne Bar on Level One, for instance, will offer a taste of its vintage 2005 bubbly. It is one of seven iconic brands to present their collection of rare and new releases at their exclusive bars, which is another first for the event.

“Each year, we aim to surprise and delight our customers by creating different experiences and activations. This year is no different,” said Brooke Supernaw, DFS group senior vice-president for spirits, wines and tobacco.

Not only is MOWS being featured in a T Galleria by DFS store in Singapore for the first time, Supernaw said the 2015 edition has been expanded to include beauty, fashion, watch and food brands.

Added Philippe Schaus, the group’s chairman and chief executive officer: “MOWS provides consumers not only with the opportunity to taste and shop leading wine, spirits and champagne brands all in one place, but to discover rare, unique and iconic blends from the very masters who create them.”

These include Dalmore’s master distiller Richard Paterson, who will be in town to unveil The Dalmore Five Decades Collection, an exclusive-to-DFS collection created in honour of Singapore’s Golden Jubilee. Only one set is available for purchase at S$162,000.

“This exceptional collection is an assembly of five extraordinary expressions — The Dalmore 10, 20, 30, 40 and the one-of-a-kind 50 — which have been brought together to celebrate the landmark occasion,” said Paterson.

For something more affordable, Jonathan Driver, Whyte and Mackay’s director of rare whiskies, will guide guests through an informal complimentary tasting of the brand’s leading single malt whiskies, which include The Dalmore Valour, Pioneer Edition and King Alexandre III.

Another big whisky name to unveil a special SG50 set is The Macallan, which has come up with its The Five Decades Collection, priced at S$300,000.

“We felt it was fitting to celebrate ... by creating a really special The Macallan offer,” said the brand’s head of education, Daryl Haldane. “We have specially selected and bottled five unique whiskies (vintages 1946, 1950, 1975, 1989 and 1995), each representing some of the rarest and most valuable whiskies from the stocks at The Macallan.”

On Nov 20 and 21, anyone can swing by the brand’s pop-up bar on Level Three to sample and purchase The Macallan Whisky Maker’s Edition, The Macallan Estate Reserve and The Macallan Rare Cask Black. On the week before that (Nov 13 and 14), global brand ambassador for Diageo Will Thompson will host a tasting at the Johnnie Walker Bar (also on Level Three) for guests to sample the Johnnie Walker Private Collection 2016 Edition, available ahead of its release date. Tastings also include a sampling of Johnnie Walker George V, Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cask Edition.

Other notable brands offering a guided complimentary experience are Hennessy, Martell and Royal Salute.

Those interested in a clever concoction, though, can check out the bar on Level Four, helmed by teams from four local bars — Tippling Club tomorrow and Saturday, followed by L’Aiglon, Manhattan Bar and Cufflink Club. MOWS-exclusive cocktails will be served along with wines from the wine-tasting bar.

Speaking of which, enthusiasts looking for a prized investment might want to consider the Chateau Lafite Rothschild vertical collection (S$34,500) spanning five decades in rare magnum format, featuring the 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2005 vintages.

That’s surely enough reason to raise a glass, no?

For more information, visit https://www.dfs.com.

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