We are super excited to feature one of the best superfoods in Asia right now – the Ananas Republic Pineapple. What’s the USP of this brand? The brand is made up of a group of highly passionate individuals who are madly in love with Pineapples, and also avid fans of healthy living. Having grown up in Pekan Nanas (also known as Pineapple Town in the local language), a small town in Malaysia, with a rich history of farming Pineapples, the Founders grew up with a deep knowledge and undying passion for pineapples. Pineapples are like roses with thorns, (as most Pineapples tends to “cut” or hurt your mouth/tongue), as such, they have searched globally to find that special unique “rose” clad in “silk”, smooth with the finest fibres. This special breed of Pineapples has its roots all the way from Costa Rica, the world’s leading Pineapples producer, also know as the “Holy Grail” of Pineapples. It is here, where we bring you, proudly, the best of its breed, popularly known as MD2 for its natural sweet taste and flavourful aroma. The Founders having found the best breed of MD2 Pineapples, were the 1st to bring into the country; along with the mission to aid the agricultural economy of their beloved Pineapple Town (Pekan Nanas). Through years of meticulous farming & research, the Founders perfected their farming techniques and maintain 97% DNA similarities to that of the original seed. To top that off, these Pineapples are packed with Bromelain which contains anti-inflammatory properties, as well as a significant amount of antioxidants. With the objective of healthy living and premium natural food in mind, it was decided that we are compelled to share these benefits to the world. To bring you the freshest, sweeter and healthier food. This is truly a powerful fruit : Ananas Republic Pineapples! Honestly speaking, we have never eaten such naturally sweet pineapples before, without the “cut” so this is super amazing and highly recommended! Enquiries: pls contact Info@ananas-republic.com

Grand Cru Classé 1855 3rd Growth An experiential afternoon with the Owner, Jean Lu from the House of Malescot St. Exupery, a renowed 3rd Growth Grand Cru Classe.

England’s leading producer of sparkling wine and Singapore’s leading private members club have joined forces to launch The NyetimberSecret Garden at 1880. From Sunday, 1st December 2019 to Saturday, 29th February 2020, 1880’s terrace will be transformed into a whimsical secret garden inspired by the English countryside with abundant displays of lush florals and foliage, a dedicated Nyetimber bar, and twinkling lights — setting the stage for an elegant evening enjoying a glass or two of English sparkling wine. Tucked above the vibrant Robertson Quay neighbourhood, with uninterrupted views of the Singapore River, The Nyetimber Secret Garden at 1880 will serve Nyetimber Classic Cuvee and Rosé by the glass and bottle. Inspired by his own British heritage, 1880’s Head Chef Colin Buchan has designed a special pairing menu of small plates, which will be available exclusively during the activation. Drawing on his experience running kitchens across the globe for Gordon Ramsay, Jason Atherton and Marco Pierre White, the menu will celebrate British flavours while perfectly complementing the complex profile of the Nyetimber wines. A series of unique programming and special events will take place throughout the course of the activation. Nyetimber was the first producer to exclusively grow the three celebrated grapes varieties — Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay — and for over 30 years, Nyetimber has been dedicated to the production of the finest English sparkling wine. Numerous accolades and awards have positioned the brand as an internationally renowned producer, surpassing all expectations of what can be achieved in English winemaking. Most recently, Nyetimber’s Blanc de Blancs 2013 received England’s first ever Gold Medal at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2019, announced in September. Following a successful market entry into Singapore earlier this year, this partnership with the city’s most prestigious private members club cements Nyetimber’s international position as England’s finest sparkling wine producer. The Nyetimber Secret Garden at 1880 Singapore will launch on 1st December 2019 and be open until 29th February 2020. About Nyetimber: For over 30 years, Nyetimber has had a single aim: to make the finest English sparkling wine, one to rival the very best in the world. A true pioneer, Nyetimber was the first producer of English sparkling wine to exclusively grow the three celebrated grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Nyetimber is made from one hundred percent estate-grown grapes and is regarded as England’s finest sparkling wine. Owner and Chief Executive Eric Heerema and Head Winemaker Cherie Spriggs are committed to producing wines of exceptional quality. ABOUT 1880 Located in Singapore’s Robertson Quay, 1880 is a member’s club for social, open minds and diverse, global conversations. With 30 nationalities represented across its membership, 1880 is a forum for people with vision, determination and entrepreneurial spirit, who believe we never stop learning and seek rounded discussion around the forces shaping our world today. The founding members have made 1880 a platform for creating shared narratives amongst a diverse community of global citizens, sparking new connections, conversations, ideas and ventures driving economic and social impact in an increasingly fractured world. Discover more at nyetimber.com Instagram: @nyetimber / Twitter: @Nyetimber / Facebook: Nyetimber Wines / Pinterest: NyetimberW

Celebrate the Year of the Rat with Takashimaya’s Spring Festival Bonanza Takashimaya Department Store rings in Chinese New Yearin 2020 with a smorgasbord of festive goodies, décor essentials and auspicious activities. From 29Dec 2019 to 23 Jan 2020, Takashimaya Department Store (Takashimaya DS) welcomes the return of its annual Chinese New Year Fair with an impressive lineup of67vendors both local and international, each offering an assortment of seasonal treats to suit all households and traditions. With the start of a new lunar calendar cycle comes a fresh start to a positive year ahead, especially with the Year of the Rat: A time of new beginnings, wisdom and vitality. In line with this occasion,Takashimaya DS has embraced thematic key visuals that incorporate the primary elements ofOriental fans to symbolise union and happiness, as well as Chinese knots to represent good luck and prosperity. We love #BakeInc -> their Gula Melaka Kuih Kapit is super awesome, and so are their Pineapple Tarts, Cheese Pineapple Biscuits and their Salted Egg Skin Yuba, @bakerswell has their lovely and yummy Lychee Cookies and all new spicy HaeBeeHiam Cookies – taking taste and awsomeness to a whole new level. HarriAnns Nonya Table has their Cranberry Cornflake Cookies – A softly golden cornflake cookie dotted with an abundance of chewy cranberries. This light and healthy snack is enjoyed by the young and old alike. Also worth trying is their GulaMelaka Cookies – A crunchy and rich cookie made with all natural premium imported GulaMelaka. A delicious indulgence with a local touch!

From 22nd November 2019 till 2nd January 2020, One Farrer has created a menu that not only create special memories for you but also a tradition that you can start and call your own. Start off the night with their special signature Salt-Encrusted Turkey, a one-of-its-kind you won’t find anywhere else. If you are a little more traditional when it comes to the palate, you will not be disappointed by their Oven Roasted Traditional Turkey With Truffle Essence, the little twist that makes it all the more special. Signature Salt Crusted Turkey is One Farrer’s signature Christmas turkey – a salt crusted version that reminds you of grandma’s homecooked salt baked chicken. A juicy goodness of meat so tender and flavourful you won’t believe it’s turkey. All turkeys are served with Chestnut Stuffing, Herbs Baby Potato with Chipotle Mayo, Maple-glazed Root Vegetable Medley with Brussels, Cranberry Orange Sauce & Pan Gravy. For hearty feasting, they also have the Roasted Black Angus RibeyeWith Mustard Herbs Crust and the perennial favourite, the Honey Glazed Boneless Ham! (We Love that!!) Sample their lovely Turmeric Marinated Turkey with Crusted Curry Coconut – their very own secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices that gives a unique flavour of a turkey reminiscent of their Asian roots. This is a taste you will not find outside of One Farrer Hotel. End the celebrations and feastings on a sweet note by indulging in their Christmas desserts, specially created to satiate that sweet tooth. Be enchanted by their Frosty the Snowman (so cute!), an original creation of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Desiccated Coconut, Red Berries. Their Christmas Rich Fruit Cake with Dried Longan and Brandied Fruits is all about cherishing that wonderful childhood memory of a precious fruit cake, made all the richer here at One Farrer with their special inclusion of dried longan in the recipe, giving the already opulent dessert an even more flavourful taste that is close to home. If you are more nostalgic of Christmas sweets, then you’ll love their Chocolate Hazelnut Yule Log, made from Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Cream, Crunchy Feuilletine Flakes,and Chocolate bark; and theFestive Mango Orange Stollen, a sweet citrusy twist to the traditional cake-bread. For a little reminiscence of local flavours, don’t miss their Christmas Rich FruitCake With Dried Longan and Brandy Marinated Fruits, a taste that will leave you craving for more. All the above are also available in takeaway orders beginning 18 November 2019. Last day of order will be on 22nd December for delivery on 25th December 2019. Christmas is an important occasion and a special time for families and friends to gather together to celebrate and feast. At One Farrer, they have created the perfect feast for all of you. Now you just have to come home to Christmas at One Farrer Hotel! To make reservations, please email fnbevents@onefarrer.com or call 6705 7825. For takeaway orders, please visit orders.onefarrer.com or email fnbevents@onefarrer.com

The Weave of Prosperity and Elegance: A Fashion Showcase Where High Fashion Meets Oriental Opulence Internationally acclaimed fashion designer Eric Raisina featured his original haute couture, accessories and his new silk collaboration with local artist Master Yun Long Zi in Singapore on 20th to 22nd November 2019. Eric Raisina is a Madagascar-born, Cambodian-based, fashion designer best known for his work with Saint Laurent and Christian Lacroix. His venture into fashion took off after winning the 1993 “New Young Designer of the Year” award at the Fashion Festival and Textile Competition in Madagascar, enabling him to travel to the Mecca of Haute Couture: Paris. In the City of Lights, he studied Textile and Fashion at école des Arts appliqués Duperré and later received a Master’s degree in Textile and Fashion from the Institut Français de la Mode, while starting to be noticed on catwalks. His natural taste for exploration compelled him to discover new cultures and techniques in Africa and Asia and, strengthened by a wide range of enriching experiences and inspirations, started his own workshop where he trained weavers, sewers and embroiderers and researched for new textures, colours, unique wave patterns and natural fabrics. His designs have attracted the likes of Hollywood celebrities, including Anne Bass and Angelina Jolie. Emeritus Master Yun Long Zi is an acclaimed artist, Chinese calligrapher and the man behind the prestigious Lotus On Water brand of galleries that won Golden Brand Award in 2007 and 2008, Singapore Prestige Brand Award in 2008, and Successful Entrepreneur Award in 2010. His luxury art pieces are rendered in prized mediums such as pure gold and silver. Sponsored by Laurent-Perrier Champagne, this luxury fashion showcase sees the launch of Yun Long Zi’s new paintings on Eric Raisina’s exquisite silk texture, where the weaving process would be shared through a unique never-before seen fashion show experience. Raisina will also be featuring his unique silk fashion, completely handmade, popularly and critically acclaimed worldwide. Furthermore, the showcase encompasses the first public exhibition of Yun Long Zi’s 4th series fengshui painting fans. “We are ready to bring our new mood from cocoon to luxury wardrobe and so thrilled to announce our first collaboration with most amazing artist Master Yun Long Zi”, says Fashion Designer Eric Raisina. The Opening Ceremony was graced by Guest-of-Honor: His Royal Highness Prince Sisowath Tesso and Her Highness Princess Norodom Chansita of Cambodia

Bang & Olufsen announced in November 2019 the all-new Beosound Stage – the first soundbar that brings the rich and powerful Bang & Olufsen Signature Sound to any TV1. Underlining Bang & Olufsen’s commitment to design and sound innovation, Beosound Stage is crafted with the ambition of creating a superbly deep and powerful soundbar, for everyone who wants an immersive cinematic experience from one single speaker. “We created Beosound Stage as a powerful soundbar that doesn’t rely on a subwoofer or satellites to create an immersive experience. The first time you hear Beosound Stage, the impact of the deep, powerful sound hits you immediately, and the simple minimalistic Scandinavian design makes it stand out like a piece of furniture. It is simply clean, elegant and powerful”, says Christoffer Østergaard Poulsen, Vice President of Product Management at Bang & Olufsen. A soundbar created for the home Beosound Stage is designed in collaboration with Danish studio NORM Architects as part of Bang & Olufsen’s design strategy to humanize technology: Working with simple geometric shapes, using natural materials, Bang & Olufsen creates meaningful products that integrate beautifully into the home. The focal point of the soundbar’s design is its simple, elegant frame, which is available in natural aluminium, bronze tone aluminium or smoked oak. The frame runs all the way around the speaker and houses a seamlessly integrated engraved sensory control panel. The 2mm gap between the frame and the fabric speaker cover gives the illusion that the speaker is floating within the frame and creates an exciting contrast between the rigid exterior and the soft, acoustically transparent textile. As a testament to Bang & Olufsen’s unmatched craftsmanship, the natural and bronze tone frames are made from a single piece of forged aluminium, resulting in no visible seams. The smoked oak version features traditionally crafted dovetail joints, a detail typically seen in fine Scandinavian cabinetry. 11 custom designed speaker drivers Beosound Stage comes with eleven speaker drivers, each driven by its own 50-watt amplifier, resulting in a 3- channel, fully active, DSP-based loudspeaker that satisfies even the most discerning listener. Bang & Olufsen’s renowned acoustic engineers have opted for large custom woofers that cover a greater portion of the lower frequency range, in order to deliver a rich and superbly deep bass. The centre channel drivers include four of those 4-inch woofers, which are designed to reduce distortion and allow greater movement, which provides an improved bass performance. The mid frequencies of the centre channel are handled by two 1 1⁄2-inch midrange drivers along with a 3/4- inch dome tweeter. The left and right sides of the speaker are optimized to deliver the three-dimensional sound. A 11⁄2-inch midrange and a 3⁄4 inch tweeters at each side, are placed close together at a 45-degrees off axis angle in a baffle design to create a 3D sound effect. Dolby Atmos for 3D sound Beosound Stage features Dolby Atmos, the latest evolution in multichannel audio. Dolby Atmos works by heightening the soundstage, giving the audio a three-dimensional effect. This allows individual sounds to be moved around, creating the impression of helicopters flying above you or items falling behind you. Match your mood with ToneTouch Beosound Stage comes with different listening modes, which are optimized for the material you are listening to. You can select from five different listening modes: TV, Music, Movie, Night Listening or None. After selecting the listening mode, you can then fine-tune the sound precisely to your taste using ToneTouch, Bang & Olufsen’s playful and intuitive equalizer that allows you to feel your way through the sound settings and find the one that best suits the situation. Music and multiroom streaming As a perfect companion for the TV, or as a music system in its own right, Beosound Stage is compatible with the leading streaming technologies—Chromecast built-in, Apple AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth—which can be used when the TV is inactive, offering multi-room functionality. To find out more, follow the conversation at @bangolufsen on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube using #BeosoundStage or you can visit any of their stores in Singapore. 10-12 Scotts Road, Grand Hyatt Singapore, #01-05 Singapore 228211 hyatt@beostore.com 391 Orchard Road, Takashimaya Level 3 #302-4-1 Singapore 238873 takashimaya@beostore.com 310 Orchard Road. Tangs at Tang Plaza, Level 3 Singapore 238864 tangs@beostore.com

C3 Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2019 — South East Asia’s biggest and most prestigious Japanese Pop Culture event, returns to bring the best and latest anime, cosplay, gaming, and anisong content to fans in Singapore and the region. Slated from 29th November to 1st December 2019 at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, #C3AFASG19 organisers SOZO shared preliminary updates on festival highlights, as well as the celebrity line-up for its cosplay and anisong segments. The 2019 edition, themed AFA Airways, will see dedicated zones on gaming, film, and competitions added to the expansive range of content, offering anime fans and Japanese pop culture enthusiasts three amazing days of exclusive content and unique experiences direct from Japan. “This November, we hope to invite our customers to come on board with us, on a journey to all things J-Culture! C3AFA Singapore 2019 will be the ultimate destination for all J-Culture lovers celebrating Anime, Comics and Games. Pushing the envelope in all festival offerings – C3AFA Singapore 2019 promises to continue its legacy to bring alive the most loved contents made possible through exclusive and international access of Music Artists Cosplayers, Voice Actors, Producers, Creators and Publishers behind some of the biggest titles of the season.” said Mr Shawn Chin, Managing Director of SOZO and organiser of C3AFA Singapore 2019. New Festival Highlights Shared The annual festival, which drew 105,000 visitors from around the world last year, will offer a weekend of non-stop premium Japanese pop-culture content and entertainment. Organisers announced a series of new highlights: Enhanced Experiences at AFA PLAY: It’s play time for anime and game lovers in this new dedicated zone! Visitors will be able to try their hands on playing anime games, take part in video game tournaments and analogue activities, and more! Anime Movie Screenings at AFA Film Festival – Held for the first time and in conjunction with #C3AFASG19, the screening event will be held on Level 3 of the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre, during the #C3AFASG19 weekend. Fans can look forward to a curated line-up of anime movies and concert footage. Tickets for the film festival are sold separately. Cultivating the new generation of local and regional talents – Competitions galore: Young aspiring singers will be able to showcase their passion for ANISONG at the C3AFA Singapore Karaoke competition. Visitors can also check out Art Duel, a one-on-one competition where illustrators battle and participate in knockout rounds of live drawing sessions, to win attractive prizes. Returning favourites include an exhibition area with themed booths, anime-related merchandise, a Creators Hub (a dedicated area with booths selling fan-made merchandise such as art prints, t-shirts, enamel pins and more by budding artists), as well as the Akiba Stage for performances. The Day Stage, a key festival highlight, will play host to special anime screenings, showcases, talk shows and guest appearances throughout the day. Guests include behind-the-scenes anime producers and directors, celebrity cosplayers, voice actors/actresses (seiyuus). Organisers shared the first wave of anime title announcements, revealing three of many featured anime that will be presented in the festival: NEKOPARA: A heart-warming visual novel series about living together with humanoid cats. The series has achieved widespread popularity with fans worldwide, and the game series has sold over 2 million copies. NEKOPARA OVA and NEKOPARA Extra ~The Kitten’s First Promise~ were successfully funded via Kickstarter, topping the animation category Kickstarter. Yuriyuri: An anime series on the daily happenings of the Amusement Club, consisting of Akari Akaza, Kyoko Toshino, Yui Funami, and Chinatsu Yoshikawa, and an interfering Student Council. Null & Peta: A new and original mixed media project consisting of a game and an anime. It features an elementary school inventor Null, and Peta, an elder sister robot built by Null. The original anime and game are launched globally on October 2019. Cosplay Spectacular With cosplay increasingly popular in the region, visitors will get the rare opportunity to meet, and even rub shoulders with some of the world’s finest cosplay personalities. Fans of Baozi & Hana, the extremely popular duo with a huge fan following in and beyond China, will have a final chance to catch their skilful portrayals, as the duo announced that they will be making their last cosplay appearance in #C3AFASG2019. Baozi & Hana’s first overseas cosplay appearance overseas was in Anime Festival Asia in 2013. Cosplay guests who are confirmed for the festival include Hakken, Hikarin, Hiko, Hiroto, Mon, and Singaporean cosplayer Rithe. Ready for Take Off with #C3AFASG19 #C3AFASG19 is a ticketed event, with tickets starting from SGD15 for exhibition access. Prior to #C3AFASG19 event days, VIP and GA I Love Anisong tickets can be purchased through the APACTix website at https://animefestival.asia/singapore19/tickets-2019/ . During event days, tickets can be bought on site at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre’s 3rd floor concourse for the “EXHIBITION ONLY” and “EXHIBITION + STAGE” tickets. Tickets for the “I LOVE ANISONG” (EXHIBITION + STAGE + CONCERT) can be purchased outside Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre’s Hall 404 on the 4th floor. C3 Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2019 Dates: 29 November – 1 December 2019 Location: Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre (Levels 3 & 4) Exhibition Timing: 10 am ~ 8pm

TB Asia, ‘Asia’s leading travel trade show’ opened its doors today at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Over the next three days from 16 – 18 October 2019, the show will see organisations from across the travel industry gathering to establish high-quality contacts and conduct business. The opening ceremony today was graced by four guests-of-honour: Mr Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Education, Republic of Singapore, who was attending for the second year running; Mr Michael Müller, the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany, who is attending ITB Asia for the first time; Dr Christian Göke, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Messe Berlin GmbH and Mr Keith Tan, Chief Executive of Singapore Tourism Board. Commenting on this year’s show, Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), ITB Asia’s organiser, said, “ITB Asia continues to maintain its position as the leading travel trade show in the region. Working in close collaboration with international exhibitors, travel companies and international buyers from across the MICE, leisure and corporate travel markets, we look forward to unveiling this year’s engaging and exciting programmes that will benefit all. With the expansion of the show and the launch of MICE Show Asia, we’re delighted to welcome our visitors to this 2019’s edition!” Show expanded to meet sustained growth and demand Now in its twelfth year, ITB Asia has continued to enjoy support from destinations and businesses from across the world, with over 1,300 exhibitors and more than 1,250 buyers welcomed at this year’s show. To accommodate its growth, ITB Asia 2019 has expanded its space and will now occupy two floors of the Sands Expo and Convention Centre. Emphasising the global reach of ITB Asia, this year’s show has attracted ever widening international interest and participation. Over 110 National Tourism Organisations (NTO) and Regional Tourism Organisations (RTO) are exhibiting this year, including first-time appearances for NTOs from Armenia, Czech Republic, Malta, Russia and the Balkan States – Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, and RTOs from Busan, Frankfurt, Los Angeles and more. In addition, with the fast-growing demands of the MICE and corporate travel sectors, ITB Asia has this year launched the inaugural MICE Show Asia, a MICE-dedicated show to which all ITB Asia attendees have full access. Launched by Messe Berlin (Singapore), the team behind ITB Asia, it will strengthen the MICE component of the show. Attendees will hear about forecasts for the global meeting and events industries in 2020, as well as how digital transformation is impacting the industry. Conference keynoters and partners to push boundaries of the travel industry Under the overarching theme of “Bold Thoughts, Bold Moves,” key industry leaders will share innovative ideas and knowledge on practical applications to keep pace with industry changes. As part of today’s (16 October) keynote line up, Booking.com and IBM will address the industry’s common challenges such as readying businesses for their next wave of growth; rethinking and reinventing distribution strategies; and how the travel industry can capitalise on the digital revolution to succeed. Tomorrow (17 October), attendees can look forward to hearing from Agoda, Expedia, Google, TripAdvisor and Wego, who will discuss actions to adapt to the ever-evolving market. On Friday (18 October), the final day of the show, Booking.com, OYO China, and Tujia will lead the conversation on maximising opportunities to meet the needs of a new generation of Chinese travellers. Other noteworthy sessions during the show include those led by ITB Asia’s partners in the Destination Marketing and Muslim Travel conference tracks. The Destination Marketing track will feature a series of tours and activities led by iVenture Card, Rezgo, TourRadar and Trip Ninja. They will discuss topics ranging from multi-city travel, what experiences can learn from hotel distribution and how to get the most for brands via online travel agencies (OTAs). In the Muslim Travel track, CrescentRating, in its fourth year of partnership with ITB Asia, presents “Halal In Travel Asia Summit”. Attendees of ITB Asia 2019 will gain key insights from the official release ofMastercard and CrescentRating’s Muslim Women in Travel Report, and CrescentRating’s report on Gen Z Muslim Travelers. New initiatives in response to the travel industry’s ever-growing demands In addition to the launch of MICE Show Asia, ITB Asia 2019 has also introduced the Buyers Elite Partner Programme. 41 partners are part of the programme that provides a forum to develop stronger trade ties with recommended buyers and to maximise business opportunities together. Finally, ITB Asia has announced that it will launch Travel Tech Asia in 2020. A complement to the existing ITB Asia and MICE Show Asia, it will be part of Asia Pacific’s largest travel trade show dedicated to travel technology. New buyers in charge of purchasing travel technology will be introduced to the latest innovations, emerging trends, leading industry brands and innovative startups that are gathered at one place to create new possibilities of travel. For more information on ITB Asia 2020, visit www.itb-asia.com For more information on MICE Show Asia 2020, visit www.miceshowasia.com For more information on Travel Tech Asia 2020, visit www.traveltechasia.com For more information on the conference, visit www.itb-asia.com/conference-programme

The Balvenie has launched The Balvenie Stories; a new collection of single malt whiskies, with each expression telling a human story, evolving with the protagonists and developing unexpected twists through years of maturation. The collection offers an intimate glimpse into the unique and very human nature of how The Balvenie produces whisky, showcasing its continued drive to put people at the heart of its brand. Highlighting the parallels between whisky making and storytelling, The Balvenie upholds age-old traditions while challenging and testing their limits, offering twists on a familiar narrative, all with the goal of making the perfect single malt whisky. This storytelling theme is central to The Balvenie Stories range; each new expression representing a compelling production story: 26-year-old A Day of Dark Barley: The arrival of a batch of dark roasted malted barley, more commonly used in the production of stout, at the distillery marked the beginning of a 26-year-long experiment. The result was a pleasing depth – smokiness and oakiness as well as the classic honey, vanilla and citrus flavours. Through a storytelling night hosted at Straits Clan, these two whisky expressions were officially launched on 6 and 7 November 2019, where guests discovered whisky tales of craft, endeavour and unexpected twists narrated by James Cordiner and Ross Blainey, The Balvenie Brand Ambassadors for Southeast Asia and Australia respectively. To give an intimate, sincere and handcrafted experience, each story is enhanced with a culinary and experiential dish by Charles Tan, chef- owner of FATCAT Ice Cream Bar, and accompanying live music by Vishaal Raj with the help of The General Co, a collective of new generation craftsmen, artisans and designers. Gemma Paterson, The Balvenie Global Brand Ambassador says: “The Balvenie Distillery is built on stories – they are our lifeblood. In today’s increasingly automated world, it’s our craftspeople’s pursuit, passion and endeavour that makes our liquid so unique. The Balvenie Stories collection lets us celebrate storytelling in all forms – from our distillery, Speyside and all across the world. We’re delighted to be partnering with some of the world’s best storytellers to bring this to life and look forward to sharing this unique collection of untold tales – the perfect accompaniment to a dram of our whisky.” The storytelling theme is threaded through the design of The Balvenie Stories packaging too, with each tale represented visually on the whisky’s tube and label in bespoke illustrations from British artist and printmaker Andy Lovell. Andy’s work draws its inspiration direct from the distillery, where he spent time listening to the stories first-hand, before using his bold, hand-made gestural technique to build up images that capture the essence of each tale. “At The Balvenie, we believe that each whisky tells a story based on the men and woman that have been involved in every part of the process from growing and malting the barley to crafting the casks that the whiskies sleep and mature in. The Balvenie Stories collection is a unique and special way for us to offer whisky drinkers an exclusive look into the craft and craftspeople behind our whiskies. Aside from the new, limited release liquids to enjoy, we are also glad to be able to bring whisky enthusiasts something they can also enjoy outside the glass,” said James Cordiner, The Balvenie Brand Ambassador, Southeast Asia. The Week of Peat (14 year old) and A Day of Dark Barley (26 year old) from The Balvenie Stories collection are now available at various bars and retail outlets including Cooperage, LMDW, Malts, Straits Clan, The Connoisseur Divan, The Joint, The Wall, The Winery*, Tipple & Dram, 1855 and 75CL. As part of the campaign, The Balvenie will also launch its first ever collection of short stories that explores what it is to have, and pursue, a goal or a dream. The book, Pursuit – The Balvenie Stories Collection, is edited by award-winning author and journalist Alex Preston, and contains a series of fiction and non-fiction stories contributed by celebrated authors from around the world, including international best-selling writer Lawrence Osbourne, Yan Ge, an award-winning author and one of China’s most promising writers, acclaimed Malaysian novelist Tash Aw, and many more. Taking inspiration from The Balvenie’s own pursuit of perfection, contributing authors were briefed to craft tales of perseverance, tenacity, determination and resolve. Pursuit – The Balvenie Stories Collection, sold at The Balvenie distillery and available worldwide on Amazon will be the perfect literary accompaniment to a dram of The Balvenie Stories whisky. Discover more about The Balvenie Stories Collection on www.thebalvenie.com/balvenie-stories/ or follow www.facebook.com/TheBalvenieSEA to stay updated on upcoming storytelling nights and events.