Cover Liquid history is found in the expensive spirits that hail back to the 1960s at the Republic bar
Liquid history is found in the expensive spirits that hail back to the 1960s at the Republic bar
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A field guide to the most expensive drinks in Singapore and why they cost so much
Singapore loves being first in everything. It bagged first place in the most expensive city in the world ranking, according to the Worldwide Cost of Living (WCOL) survey run by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) last year, and it also got pegged as the happiest country in Asia in the 2024 World Happiness Report. So maybe this does challenge the adage that money can’t buy happiness.
Contentious? Perhaps not, especially when indulging in mighty fine drinks like expertly crafted spirits that survived two World Wars and shipwreck champagne without the nasty barnacles. A little booze never hurt anybody, and who knows, you might even forget about the massive bill that came along with it.
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1. Heidsieck & Co Gout Americain 1907 at Atlas
Above The Heidsieck & Co Gout Americain 1907 (Photo: Bonhams)
The Heidsieck & Co Gout Americain 1907 (Photo: Bonhams)
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Expected damage: SG$190,700
The grand dame Atlas has got plenty up its sleeve that would cost you. As if its gin antiquities—a vintage spirit collection that allows the discerning tippler to time-travel to each decade from the 20th century—aren’t impressive enough, there’s a small collection of shipwreck champagne waiting to be sipped and savoured.
The vintage is the Heidsieck & Co Gout Americain 1907, which is said to have also been served on board the Titanic. During World War I, the ship that was smuggling this precious contraband was sunk by a German U-22 submarine. The ship, along with 3,000 bottles of champagne, quietly slept at the depths of 64 metres under the sea until 1998 when the ship was finally salvaged. Thanks to the perfect pressure and temperature of the deep Baltic Sea, most of the champagnes were kept pristine, with corks intact and no signs of any leakage. If you’ve got pockets as deep as the Baltic Sea, this $190,700 (before taxes) bottle may just be the fitting pour for your evening.
2. Rob Roy at Writers Bar
Above The most expensive Rob Roy in Singapore at the Writers Bar in Raffles Singapore
The most expensive Rob Roy in Singapore at the Writers Bar in Raffles Singapore
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Expected damage: SG$1,398
For any whisky connoisseur, the Macallan M is known to be one of the priciest whiskies to exist within reach. The allure of the sculpted decanter that houses a range of rare and collectable single-malt Scotch whiskies is undoubtedly a fine work of art. Using the finest 100 per cent natural ingredients, the Macallan M promises complexity and intensity rarely experienced in a single malt.
At the storied Writers Bar in Raffles Singapore, this exquisite spirit is pressed into service to make a classic Rob Roy that will set you back $1,398 (before taxes). For purists who’d like a taste of the Macallan M without the extras on set, a 15ml dram—boasting intense rosewood hues derived from maturing in sherry-seasoned Spanish oak casks—starts at just $428.
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3. Macallan 1964 at Kakure
Above There’s something sacred about entering Kazuhiro Chii’s 10-seater cocktail sanctuary that makes it all worth your coins
There’s something sacred about entering Kazuhiro Chii’s 10-seater cocktail sanctuary that makes it all worth your coins
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Expected damage: SG$1,120
There’s something sacred about entering Kazuhiro Chii’s 10-seater cocktail sanctuary that makes it all worth your coins. The Japanese head bartender has over 20 years of cocktail-making experience under his belt and it certainly shows in the finesse of his tipples. Even the glassware is curated to a tee—one is likely to sip from Kagami Crystal or Kimura Glass. His signature fresh fruit cocktail, which uses only the season’s finest Japanese fruits, will casually set you back $38 (before taxes). For the same price, there’s also a luxurious champagne cocktail accented with elderflower liqueur and a generous sprinkling of edible gold flakes.
But for those in search of sheer luxury, simply look behind the bar where Chii-san’s collection of spirits rests. Among them, special edition whisky releases are available by the shot. A single serve of the most expensive Japanese whisky, the Hakushu Sherry Cask 2014, goes for just $768 while the all-time most expensive pour points to the Macallan 1964 at a jaw-dropping $1,120. Just don’t rock up unannounced—reservations ensure you get the correct password to enter as the code to the door changes daily.
4. Paraíso Gold at Bacha Coffee
Above The Paraíso Gold coffee is one of the rarest beans in the world
The Paraíso Gold coffee is one of the rarest beans in the world
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Expected damage: SG$1,104
This isn’t your average cup of joe and it sure isn’t an everyday cup. The Paraíso Gold coffee, one of the rarest beans in the world, goes for a tear-jerking $900 a cup at Bacha Coffee. The exceptional bean is harvested by the third-generation Andrade family who runs one of the oldest coffee fazendas (plantations) in the Cerrado Mineiro region—blessed with an altitude of around 1,100 metres high with equal rain and sun—in Brazil. From eliminating water from the sorting stages to an elongated fermenting process, the result is a bean that is more uniform and of higher quality.
Expect exotic notes of rose, wild berries, green apple, tropical fruits, and chocolate and juicy, sweet acidity. Some have said that it even reminds of a very light red wine that is reminiscent of rhubarb, tart cherry and sugar candy. The highly prized coffee is available to be enjoyed in any Bacha Coffee outlet in Singapore at the price of $369 for a cup or taken home as loose beans by weight at the going rate of $1,104 for 100 grams.
5. Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash at East47
Above The Chix is a luxurious sparkling twist of a classic bloody mary
The Chix is a luxurious sparkling twist of a classic bloody mary
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Expected damage: SG$945
East47 is the city’s latest Andy Warhol-inspired 12-seater drinking studio within Manhattan Bar that is by-invite-only. Expect to sip on rare pours from exquisite glassware—think Baccarat crystal and Kimura Glass—while an original 1962 Gold Marilyn Monroe silkscreen painting by Andy Warhol stares right back at you. A tailor-made drink only matches the allure of such confines, and discerning tipplers are almost certain to find a rare spirit that is worthy of a splurge. Signature cocktails all start from $38 (before taxes) and one standout is The Chix, a luxurious sparkling twist of a classic bloody mary. It drinks smoky and savoury—thanks to the Pechuga Mezcal—layered with grassy and herbaceous notes.
Fancy a highball? The cheapest serve will ring up $52 using a splash of Michter’s straight rye 10 years. Or perhaps the Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash, arguably the greatest American whiskey ever made, which goes for just under $1,000, specifically at $945 (before taxes) a shot.
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6. Vintage spirits at Republic
Above A vintage gin martini at the Republic bar
A vintage gin martini at the Republic bar
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Expected damage: SG$125 to $200
Liquid history is found in the ultra-rare spirits that hail back to the 1960s. At the ritzy Republic bar, there’s a cabinet of curiosities made up of sippable time capsules, or vintage spirits whose taste profiles have evolved after extensive ageing. More fascinatingly, some of these liquids may simply taste different from current versions made in the 21st century as they have been manufactured differently—thanks to bygone production methods and perhaps even raw materials like defunct sugar sources.
Such bottles are few and far between as they are exclusively sourced only from auctions. Lucky for us, there are ten options to choose from at Republic bar, where one can simply indulge over ice. Go the Bond way with a stiff vintage gin martini, made of 1960s Curtis London dry gin and vintage Martini Rossi dry vermouth. Or whet the appetite before a feast with the vintage negroni, comprising 1960s Dixie Belle London dry gin, 1960s Campari and vintage Martini Rossi sweet vermouth. Both serves sit comfortably at $175 (before taxes) each.
7. Vintage spirits and percolated cocktails at The Backdrop
Expected damage: SG$160 to $190
The romance of the roaring ’20s, where you can live out your wildest The Great Gatsby fantasy, is perfectly captured in this speakeasy by bartending veteran Dario Knox. But equally as charming as it is intriguing is Knox’s interactive take on percolated cocktails. Imagine this: you order an espresso martini. It arrives as clear as day, resembling a classic martini. It is set on top of a trolley decked out with apparatus commonly found in a science lab. The show begins as Knox (or one of his dapperly-dressed team members) whips out a pipette and drips a couple of mysterious droplets into your glass—as for the science, we’ll let him geek out on your visit. But one sip in, the idea of sipping on a flavourless clear drink dissipates. Instead, it is jam-packed with alluring flavours of an espresso martini, astounding most who try it for the first time.
Espresso martini not your cup of tea? Ask for alternatives within the classic cocktail repertoire. If Knox has got the right solution, he’s more than happy to raise brows. Beyond that, vintage cocktails are also available where liquid treasures from the ’70s make a showing in your glass for just under $200 a serve.
