3 March 2022 – Compendium Spirits, a Singaporean distillery known for pushing the envelope, has launched another revolutionary programme – Chartered by Compendium Spirits.
The first bespoke barrel ageing programme in the world that allows customers to create their own spirit from scratch with customised input, Chartered by Compendium Spirits offers a wide range of customisation options available to each customer. Each barrel, handcrafted for Compendium Spirits, are one of a kind and fashioned by hand from top quality American oak.
Simon Zhao, founder Compendium Spirits shares, “We started with producing exceptional, flavourful meads in 2015 as it was uncommon beverage choice in Southeast Asia and we wanted to offer locals something distinctive and unique to enjoy. Over the years, we have been honing our techniques, experimenting with familiar and exotic spirits and perfecting our craft, such as Rojak Gin & Chendol Gin
Kopi-O Liqueur, Straits Vodka to Gula Melaka Arrack.”
In December 2021, Compendium Spirits also launched Singapore’s first single grain whiskey, made from the Thai Hom Mali rice. This deep, moreish and bold rice whiskey was quickly sold out.
Simon continues, “This is why with Chartered, we have used our knowledge to curate an experience that brings our customers onto a learning journey.”
While the usual practice is to purchase neutral grain spirits, what sets Compendium Spirits apart is their commitment in producing the base spirits from scratch. The raw ingredients are sourced from Southeast Asia, such as gula melaka (Indonesia), molasses (Malaysia), honey and rice (Thailand) – the building blocks of base spirits at Compendium Spirits.
Other than deciding on the base spirits that goes into the barrel, patrons will also have the opportunity to work with various possibilities by exploring different sequences. For example, if you fill your first barrel with rum, then you will have a rum-aged cask for your next Chartered by Compendium Spirits experience.
Aging your own spirit according to your taste is similar to tailoring a bespoke suit or dress. Start with picking your preferred base spirit - rum made from molasses in Malaysia, arrack from gula melaka in Indonesia, honey spirit from honey from Thailand and whiskey from rice from Thailand? Next, decide on the size of the project, whether it’s a 4 litres (3 months aging), 8 litres (6 months) or 16 litres (9 months), 32 litres (12 months) barrel. During the aging process, the fun part will undoubtedly be the tasting sessions with the craftmaster. Tasting is believing, so decide if the spirit is ready or needs a bit more time. The proudest moment will perhaps be the bottling and labelling stage, where the name and the design of the label can be customised, before all the bottles are delivered to the final location. An empty cask does not spell the end of your distiller dreams – refill the barrel and explore other permutations of aging.
Says Simon Zhao, “Chartered by Compendium Spirits is not a one-time effort, but a journey of understanding the beauty of crafting spirits with our customers.”
Prices for Chartered by Compendium Spirits are $1,188 - $2,088 (4 litres cask, 13 bottles), $2,088 - $2,688 (8 litres cask, 26 bottles), $3,788 - $4,988 (16 litres cask, 52 bottles) and $6,788 - $8,888 (32 litre cask, 103 bottles).
The first ten customers of the Chartered by Compendium Spirits programme will also enjoy a complimentary cocktail experience for two pax at private home bar, Section D, where mixologist Dannon Har will create a bespoke cocktail using the final customised spirit.
Distillery tours are also available by appointment only, priced at an introductory rate of $68 nett per pax (minimum 2 pax, introductory rate ends in 30 April 2022) and this amount will be rebated should visitors sign up for the Chartered by Compendium Spirits programme at the end of the tour. The tour includes a tour of the distillery and a sampling of 4 Compendium Spirits products.
Contact: Compendium Spirits, compendium@rachelletherabbit.com, 8451 5389 (whatsapp), 5 Mandai Link, #03-04, Mandai Foodlink, S728654.