Cover Tatler, Ron Zacapa, and Volkswagen partner up for first-ever bar crawl (Photographer: Adrian Lee)
Tatler, Ron Zacapa, and Volkswagen partner up for first-ever bar crawl (Photographer: Adrian Lee)
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Tatler community members hopped across three acclaimed bars in luxury and style, in Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz, while Ron Zacapa flowed through the night
Often overshadowed by more familiar options such as whisky and gin, rum remains an uncommon first-choice spirit in this market. Though the surge in sophisticated imbibers and cocktail enthusiasts around the world rings signs of positivity, as Ron Zacapa prepares to launch across Southeast Asia. At the Tatler House, esteemed community members gathered in harmony to experience Tatler Singapore’s first-ever bar crawl, complemented by Ron Zacapa and Volkswagen.
When asked for a show of hands, those who have tried Ron Zacapa, the floor paused briefly, only to burst into cackle. None have sampled it, but the premium dark spirit has certainly garnered everyone’s attention. Swift introductions by Dawson Tan, assistant dining editor of Tatler Dining Singapore, Ong Jun Quan, head of The Singleton and Ron Zacapa, Southeast Asia and Strategic Partnerships at Diageo, and Rohan Palathinkal, assistant group corporate communication manager at Volkswagen Group Singapore, teased the night ahead.
See also: Award winning Guatemalan rum Ron Zacapa makes anticipated debut in Singapore
A stylish green-and-white Volkswagen ID. Buzz electric van
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Of course, all drinking must be done responsibly, and as we believe that getting to our next destination should be as stylish as being there, the cadre would be chauffeured in the sleek, all-electric Volkswagen ID. Buzzes. Once the automated doors slid open, revealing inviting interiors, guests hopped on as we adjourned to our first stop: Cat Bite Club.
Past the neon Cheshire cat grin sign, we enter what is possibly Singapore’s largest library of agave and rice spirits. Before co-founder Jesse Vida took the floor to recount Cat Bite Club’s meteoric rise in the bar industry and winning the Bar of the Year accolade at the Tatler Best Singapore 2025, there was a glass of Zacapa 23 Highlands in everyone’s hands. This refreshingly layered blend of oolong and Zacapa 23 drinks floral, with a honeyed sweetness and subtle spice.
The Old Guatemala, with bursts of citrus, fizz, and a touch of mint
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To foster the spirit of home bartending, two lucky guests also participated in a cocktail-making experience of the Zacapa 23 Highlands, and each walked away with a coveted Zacapa XO. Before hopping to the next stop, Vida’s creation, titled Old Guatemala, delighted all with bursts of citrus, fizz, and a touch of mint.
Tatler’s Dawson Tan and Nutmeg & Clove’s co-founder, Colin Chia
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Arriving in the stirring atmosphere of Nutmeg & Clove, guests were warmly greeted by co-founder Colin Chia, who regaled with inspiring tales of the bar’s journey from a humble passion project to being widely recognised as one of the best cocktail bars in Asia. Here, the El Sour, a rum-based sour cocktail lifted with lemon and honey, whets the appetites as a modern slew of locally inspired dishes awaits.
Don't miss: How Lorena Vásquez, Ron Zacapa’s master blender, paved the way for women in the industry one drink at a time
Think crispy rojak glazed brussels sprouts, fragrant prawn paste marinated pork collar, and a mouthwatering seabass in assam pedas beurre blanc. Once again, two more volunteers stepped up to recreate Zacapa-inspired tipples and won a bottle of the Ron Zacapa XO each.
Bar manager Rishi Randhawa and senior bartender Cherry Lee
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Whisking off to Shangri-La Singapore, guests met bar manager Rishi Randhawa and senior bartender Cherry Lee of the acclaimed Origin Bar. Here, a silky blend of Zacapa 23, peach liqueur, and Pineau des Charentes give meaning to the thematic Above The Clouds cocktail. The grand finale was treated with generous serves of Zacapa XO, neat or over the rocks, bringing the opulent evening to a close.
As the last drop of Zacapa XO was savoured, esteemed folks who arrived apprehensive about rum certainly left as converts, having journeyed through its versatility across three of Singapore’s finest bars. Will there be another rum revolution? We’ll see.
Scroll through the gallery below to find out what went down at the bar crawl:
Ong Jun Quan, head of The Singleton and Ron Zacapa, Southeast Asia and Strategic Partnerships at Diageo
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Credits
Photography: Adrian Lee
