You can pick a spirit base, get a four- to 32-litre American oak barrel and even reuse your cask.
Are you a cocktail whiz in the making? Or maybe you love infusing your spirits at home or exploring new bars? Thankfully, in Singapore, we’re got a fair share of unique local craft spirits in the small but mighty distillery scene.
Compendium Spirits, the Singapore distillery known for experimental rojak and chendol gins, has launched a sa-weet new bespoke barrel ageing programme. Said to be the first of its kind, Chartered allows you to concoct your own spirit from scratch, using Compendium’s base spirits (rum, arrack, honey spirit, whiskey) that are fermented and distilled in-house.
But first, let’s dive into the what and why of barrel ageing. It’s pretty self-explanatory but it’s the process of adding a spirit (it can be rum, bourbon, whiskey) into a wooden barrel.
A spirit that doesn’t go through this pales in comparison with a barrel-aged spirit in terms of character, flavour and aroma. It’s important to note that a longer ageing process doesn’t necessarily mean a matured spirit. Things like humidity, temperature and climate are taken into consideration – which is why a four-litre barrel at Compendium only takes about three months to age.
Chartered by Compendium Spirits: A customisable barrel-ageing programme
To start, select from a four-litre (three months of ageing) to a 32-litre (12 months) top quality American oak barrel – handcrafted just for Compendium Spirits. You’ll be invited to tasting sessions with an expert during the ageing process where you can decide if your spirit needs more time in the barrel or if it’s ready to be taken home.
Once you’re satisfied with the taste, it’s time to get packing. The name and design of the labels can be customised, so get creative with your baby. It doesn’t end there though. The beauty of this barrel-ageing programme is the endless options waiting to be explored. Filled your first barrel with rum? Perhaps the rum-aged cask will yield flavour combos you’ve never sipped on before!
That’s exactly what the founder of Compendium Spirits, Simon Zhao, wants his customers to experience. “It’s not a one-time effort, but a journey of understanding the beauty of crafting spirits,” he shares.
We sure did learn a whole lot during an invite to the humble distillery. Simon took us on a quick tour, introducing us to the raw ingredients used in the spirits, the fermentation and distillation process, and the barrels. The four base spirits – arrack made with gula melaka from Indonesia, rum using molasses from Malaysia, and honey spirit and whiskey made using honey and rice grains respectively from Thailand – pay homage to Southeast Asian flavours.
We particularly enjoyed the oily texture and natural sweetness of arrack, and the bold, fragrant flavours of the rice whiskey. Just imagine the possibilities it’ll yield with your personal touch and some time in the barrel! It’s time to get crackin’.
Psst: be one of the first 10 customers to enjoy a free cocktail experience for two at private home bar Section D. Bring your customised spirit over and mixologist Dannon Har will create a bespoke cocktail for you.
So, are you ready to be the owner of your own barrel-aged rum or whiskey?
Chartered by Compendium Spirits, $1,188-$2,088 (4-litre cask, 13 bottles), $2,088-$2,688 (8-litre cask, 26 bottles), $3,788-$4,988 (16-litre cask, 52 bottles) and $6,788-$8,888 (32-litre cask, 103 bottles). The ABV of cask strength of 60% before dilution to 40% for bottling.
