APRIL 3, 2014 - The world’s leading luxury travel retailer, today announced that a rare and exclusive collectible from its third annual Masters of Wines and Spirits Collection, 1949 Fine & Rare – the Macallan Masters of Photography: Annie Leibovitz Edition in Linley Cabinet, has been sold to a wine and spirits connoisseur.
Created exclusively for DFS and priced at SGD 318,000, the item is one of the most valuable selections presented at the Masters of Wines and Spirits event held at the National Museum of Singapore in November last year. The event is the most prestigious retail event of its kind in Asia, and features many of the world’s rarest wines and spirits. In 2013, 79 masterpieces from 49 prestigious brands were showcased, representing the strength of DFS’ deep-rooted relationships with the world’s most sought-after wine, spirit and Champagne houses.
The 1949 Fine & Rare – the Macallan Masters of Photography: Annie Leibovitz Edition in Linley Cabinet was distilled at The Macallan Distillery in Speyside, Scotland, and has been matured in specially selected oak casks for more than 50 years. Presented in a single limited edition set of four bottles, the single malt whisky within the bottles is from the year 1949, the birth year of American portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz. Each bottle celebrates the legendary photographer’s achievements with an original photograph of Scottish actor Kevin McKidd emblazoned on the label.
The bottles are presented in a hand-crafted bespoke bar designed and created by the workshop of Viscount David Linley. Linley has fused contemporary design with exquisite cabinetmaking using a mix of traditional and exotic woods. A range of magnificent glassware by French crystal masters Lalique—a Saint-Hubert decanter and six matching whisky tumblers—completes the offering. This set of four bottles is also accompanied by a matching set of prints signed by Annie Leibovitz, which have completed a world exhibition tour.
“This masterpiece is the epitome of The Macallan’s passion and devotion to crafting single malts of exceptional quality,” said Ryan Hill, Regional Director Asia Travel Retail, The Edrington Group, The Macallan. “Combining the fine art of single malt whisky production with fine cabinetry, photographic mastery and exquisite glassware, this item offers a truly ‘one of its kind’ experience. With our exclusive partnership with DFS, we are able to share this masterpiece with whisky connoisseurs and art collectors from around the world. We hope its proud new owner derives as much joy from this masterpiece as we did in creating it.”
“The Masters of Spirits event is one of the most exciting highlights for Changi Airport's duty-free liquor and tobacco category every year,” said Ivy Wong, Senior Vice President, Airside Concessions, Changi Airport Group. “The sale of this extremely valuable and rare collectible from The Macallan further augments the status of this platform as amongst the industry’s most prestigious. Changi Airport Group is very honoured to be DFS’ partner for this event, and will continue to work closely with them to offer our passengers highly exclusive and one-of-a-kind items that represent the finest in the world.”
“The Masters of Wines and Spirits presents a carefully curated collection of the world’s rarest and most exclusive wines and spirits to passionate connoisseurs and collectors, in partnership with some of the world’s most sought-after brands,” said Brooke Supernaw, Senior Vice President, Global Merchandising - Spirits, Wine & Tobacco, DFS Group. “The sale of this highly collectible limited edition set from The Macallan is not only a testament to the prestige of this revered brand, but also a reflection of DFS’ commitment to bringing our customers unparalleled experiential opportunities to discover the rarefied world of luxury.”
The fourth edition of DFS’ Masters of Wines and Spirits will be held in Singapore in late 2014.
