‘World’s finest and rarest’ wines and spirits on show in Macau, from US$160,000 Hennessy cognac to ultra-rare Finn Thomson whisky

‘World’s finest and rarest’ wines and spirits on show in Macau, from US$160,000 Hennessy cognac to ultra-rare Finn Thomson whisky

The ‘world’s finest and rarest’ wines and spirits are on show in Macau, from US$160,000 Hennessy cognac to the ultra-rare Finn Thomson whisky (above). Photo: Finn Thomson

Opinion

On the Menu

 by Charmaine Mok

‘World’s finest and rarest’ wines and spirits on show in Macau, from US$160,000 Hennessy cognac to ultra-rare Finn Thomson whisky

·       If money is no object, the DFS Masters of Wine and Spirits exhibition is going to make you feel like a kid in a candy store

·       An all-star line-up of ultra-rare spirits and fine wines includes Colombian label Dictador’s gorilla-shaped rum bottles and a discontinued malt whisky from 1987

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Charmaine Mok

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Published: 12:45pm, 26 Apr 2023

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I’ve long been fascinated by the culture of consumerism in Macau, where casinos and luxury boutiques are common bedfellows. Lucky night at the tables? A shopping spree is just a chip’s throw away.

Although Macau’s previously bright positioning as the “Las Vegas of the East” has somewhat dimmed post-pandemic, there is still very much a market for high-end experiences and extravagance to sate the appetites of consumers – in particular, the moneyed shoppers from mainland China who have resumed their travels to the former Portuguese enclave.

One of the most impressive shows of power to date is a DFS Masters of Wine and Spirits pop-up exhibition – running until the end of April – that takes more than 100 top-shelf labels from 50 of the world’s leading producers and places them in the thoroughfare of the City of Dreams complex in Taipa.

A futuristic, Blade Runner-esque set of neon pink and black circular structures sprawled across the luxury shopping centre’s T Galleria invites visitors to weave their way down its atrium past shelves lined with millions of dollars worth of booze as though in a high-end liquor store in the metaverse.

The DFS Masters of Wine and Spirits pop-up features over 100 rare and exclusive wines, champagnes, whiskies, cognacs and more from around the globe. Photo: DFS Masters of Wine and Spirits

Under the glow from neighbouring luxury boutiques such as branches of Dior, Salvatore Ferragamo and Louis Vuitton, connoisseurs can take in the curation of fine wines and spirits available for this year.

Divided into categories including champagnes, wines, whiskies, cognacs and – new for 2023 – sections dedicated to premium rum and tequila, the pop-up is touted as an opportunity for collectors to explore rare cellar and distillery releases, limited edition bottles, and exclusive bottles created especially for DFS.

“Each piece in the collection was selected with our customers in mind, bringing together a spectacular array of the world’s finest and rarest wines and spirits in the vibrant city of Macau for the second time,” said Christophe Marque, president of merchandising for DFS Group.

So, if you felt the urge to drop 1,250,000 patacas (US$160,000) on a limited edition crystal basketball-shaped bottle of Hennessy Paradis cognac – a special collaboration between the spirits brand and designer Lorenz Baumer to celebrate the National Basketball Association’s 75th anniversary, of which only 75 are available – this would be the place.

There are some under-the-radar gems, including several releases from emerging independent whisky bottler Finn Thomson, a ninth-generation Scotch whisky expert who is praised among cask nerds for his detailed selection process.