For some, whisky is a type of liquid gold. From Scotch to Single-Malt, Bourbon to uncommon blends, every has its personal advanced profile and multi-layered vary of flavours. Nobody understands this higher than Benjamin Tan, the Head of Enterprise Growth and “Chief Butler” for TSH Company. Whisky Journey began off as Singapore’s first island-wide bar and restaurant whisky path that spanned throughout 10 days in 2020 and 2021. After witnessing its preliminary success, Whisky Journey returns in 2023 for its most expansive exhibition but, happening at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Conference Centre. This yr sees Whisky Journey goes again to its orginal convention-exhibition model showcase. The present will function over 20 exhibitors, with over 100 completely different whiskies and expressions obtainable for visitors to find, discover and take a look at. LUXUO sits down with the face of Whisky Journey, Benjamin Tan to seek out out extra about his ardour for whisky, what we will count on to see from this yr’s Whisky Journey and the way forward for this one-of-a-kind exhibition.

You could have been working Whisky Journey since 2019. Inform us extra about how Whisky Journey’s idea got here to fruition?

Truly, I joined the corporate in 2020. Whisky Journey was attributable to happen in 2019, however given the event of the Covid-19 pandemic, the group determined to take a pause on the occasion till authorities laws have been just a little extra slack in 2020. So the primary version of the “Bar-hopping” whisky journey passed off in 2020 and I used to be then helping my predecessor on working the occasion. Due to this fact, I’d say the preliminary concept was developed by the earlier group and at present the group and I’ve enhanced it and introduced a convention-styled (exhibition model) Whisky Journey since final yr.

What’s the relationship between Whisky Journey and Whisky Butler, Singapore’s most vibrant whisky-tasting membership?

So after I joined TSH Company Ltd, Whisky Butler was introduced along with me; and now each Whisky Journey and Whisky Butler are a part of the ideas underneath TSH Company Ltd, offering an array of whisky services and products to our customers. 

The 2022 Whisky Journey version staged at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) has been an awesome success. What ought to we count on to see, expertise and style with respect to the 2023 version?

Do count on this yr’s version to be greater with extra fascinating manufacturers approaching board. We even have an impartial bottler from Taiwan that’s flying in to participate on this yr’s occasion! On the identical time, a few of final yr’s exhibitors are additionally attempting to place collectively some experimental masterclasses for our customers. So count on extra thrilling manufacturers and masterclasses coming on this yr at Whisky Journey 2023!

Do you propose to introduce extra workshops this yr 2023?

Sure, we’ve got elevated the variety of masterclasses this yr on each days to offer everybody an opportunity to take part within the masterclasses that they’re wanting ahead to.

Who conceptualised the good concept of the Whisky Journey Passport? Are you able to clarify the passport idea to our readers and whisky lovers?

This was the collective effort of the earlier group after many rounds of brainstorming, they determined {that a} jet-setting format of whisky exhibition is a novelty and an fascinating theme to go together with, and therefore the passport as a software to make the entire jet-setting expertise extra actual (particularly in instances of Covid). 

Learn Extra: High 5 Whiskies To Maintain an Eye Out for at Whisky Journey 2022

Why is Singapore the best location to host Whisky Journey?

Being a Singaporean firm, it’s at all times good to construct our base from right here. Though we acknowledged that competitors is stiff right here, however we firmly imagine that additionally it is the (whisky) hub and trendsetter for the area. 

Who’re your main 2023 companions?

Our official water sponsor is Perrier, our media accomplice is Coronary heart Media (you guys) in addition to our occasion goodie luggage sponsor is Black Bull by Duncan Taylor, which can be one in every of our premium exhibitors.

How is Whisky Journey completely different from different Whisky occasions?

“EEE” is our idea and the important thing differentiators to different whisky occasions. The three “E” are specifically:  Discover; Educate; Expertise. It’s good to permit customers to discover themselves quite then telling them what is sweet or dangerous; educating them in regards to the model philosophy, model historical past, and the method of making the merchandise permits customers to grasp and admire the model extra; lastly, it’s essential permit customers to expertise it themselves by permitting them to attempt it. “Discover” is paramount amongst the three; we ensure that members will get to seek out a variety of whiskies offered by the official manufacturers, and purchase instantly from these manufacturers. Due to this fact, at Whisky Journey, you will discover restricted version whiskies; aged whiskies as outdated as 40 years outdated opened by the dram for customers to have an opportunity to attempt to expertise them. 

How do you see the Whisky Journey evolving three years down the street?

I hope to take Whisky Journey to a number of cities with extra fringe occasions being organised in several components of the world for customers across the globe.

Will you deliver this occasion idea to different capital cities in Asia?

Sure. That’s undoubtedly in our plan for the following three to 5 years.

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What’s your favorite second of true accomplishment within the lifetime of Whisky Journey? 

The largest second undoubtedly comes from the grins of all my members and exhibitors. As a result of they’re all my stakeholders. Solely when they’re comfortable, we’re achieved. 

Are you able to share with our reader the title of the mentor who has impressed you probably the most in your profession and life?

I’m really very lucky to have met many individuals in my life. I imagine that everybody is exclusive in their very own method and there’s at all times one thing you may be taught from everybody. Combining all these distinctive experiences collectively, I turned them into my very own life rules that information me to stroll my very own path. Due to this fact I wouldn’t say there’s a single individual that impressed me in my skilled life, however as a collective complete; I’ve discovered from everybody that crossed paths with me. Just lately, a speech by an area feminine entrepreneur resonates with this perception of mine. She mentioned, “One of many largest life classes is studying tips on how to admire somebody’s present with out questioning your individual”. The assertion coincides with how I imagine that everybody is exclusive and as a substitute of being jealous of somebody’s expertise, we embrace and be taught from these folks. As a result of life shouldn’t be about what occurred to us, however how we reply to it. You may select to be bitter or be a greater particular person.

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