The Auld Alliance

The Auld Alliance
9 Bras Basah Road
#02-02A Rendezvous Gallery


http://www.theauldalliance.sg/


Bespoke Whisky Bar

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 7
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $30 per person.


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After vacating their previous premises at Chijmes, bespoke whisky bar The Auld Alliance has found a new home in Rendezvous Gallery, next to Rendezvous Hotel. Established in 2011 by Mr. Emmanuel Dron, The Auld Alliance is named after a period of truce between Scotland and France, and is widely considered to be Singapore's finest whisky bar.

Ambience at The Auld Alliance retains its classical library style, with huge plush leather couches, dim lighting, and rows upon rows of bookshelves, lined with The Auld Alliance extensive range of over 1,400 labels of whisky. The spacious layout can accomodate over 60 people, including a private 14-seater room for those seeking even greater privacy than what The Auld Alliance hidden location currently offers.

Service at The Auld Alliance is professional and knowledgable. Besides the owner, staff are trained and well versed in the vast collection of whisky available, from the various labels, to serving, and even curating and storage. Don't let the 70 page book-like menu intimidate you, just ask the staff if you need assistance!

The Auld Alliance doesn't offer any food, beyond simple nuts / snacks. Go for the 1,400 labels of whisky, ranging in price from as low as SGD $14 per glass, to as high as hundreds of dollars per glass for the rare labels. The menu helpfully has some descriptions, on taste of each whisky, and their country of origin. Befittingly, the majority of whisky is from Scotland, though they also carry other whisky labels from many other countries, including Australia, France, Taiwan, Japan, and India.

Besides the extensive range of whisky, The Auld Alliance also offers an extensive variety of wines, with over 80 labels available. They also offer a decent selection of cocktails and absinthe.


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The fiercely private setting and plush layout is perfect for whisky connoisseurs, and the mind-boggling variety available means you'll never get bored.

The Auld Alliance Seating


The Auld Alliance Whisky Bottles


The Auld Alliance Whisky Display


The Auld Alliance Book Shelf


The Auld Alliance Bar Counter


The Auld Alliance Coaster



Cracker Coated Peanuts And Water are provided complimentary, and in fact, are the only non-alcoholic drink, and food, you'll get here.

Cracker Coated Peanuts


Cracker Coated Peanuts And Water



The Absinthe Clandestine Marianne (SGD $23 Per Glass) is a white Swiss absinthe, has a refreshing minty taste with flavours of anise, wild flower, and honey, and a lingering bitterness of wormwood.

Preparing Absinthe


Absinthe Drip


Absinthe Clandestine Marianne (SGD $23 Per Glass)



The Cocktail Moscow Mule (SGD $18) is a potent cocktail of Russian Cirok Vodka with a dash of Lime Juice, mixed with Fever Tree Ginger Beer. Served in a ornate copper mug with ice, the fizzy and spicy ginger beer and warming sensation of vodka combines for a slow burn, making this drink best consumed in small sips.

Cocktail Moscow Mule (SGD $18)



The Whisky Glendronach 12 Year Old Sherry Cask (SGD $16 Per Glass) is a Scottish whisky, with a medium rich creamy body with low smokiness and bright sweetness, tastes of caramelised apple, toffee, blackberries, and raisins, with hints of oak and sherry, and a strong alcohol aroma. The finish is long and deep, with a semi-dry sweetness.

Whisky Glendronach 12 Year Old Sherry Cask (SGD $16 Per Glass)



The Whisky Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Cask (SGD $28 Per Glass) is a Scottish whisky, with a medium firm smooth body with a balanced smokiness and floral sherry notes, tastes of honey, marmalade, raisins, and dried apricots, with hints of wood and spice, and a delicate vanilla and ginger aroma. The finish is long and deep, with a solid dry oak note.

Whisky Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Cask (SGD $28 Per Glass)


Whisky Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Cask



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Update Mar-2016: Returned after 2 years to find The Auld Alliance still retains its old-world, bespoke, colonial charm. Ambience at The Auld Alliance still calls to mind the Gentlemen's clubs of old, and service remains as good as ever. The beverage list is still long and extensive, reading like a heavy library book!

The Whisky Hibiki 12 Year Old (SGD $24 Per Glass) is a Japanese whisky, with a light flavourful smooth body with an enticing and fruity note, tastes of grain, cloves, oranges, and sherried malt, with hints of lemon and almonds, and an exciting plum wine and honey aroma. The finish is bright and balanced, with a juicy apple cinnamon note.

Whisky Hibiki 12 Year Old (SGD $24 Per Glass)


Whisky Hibiki 12 Year Old



The Whisky Yamazaki 18 Year Old (SGD $42 Per Glass) is a Japanese whisky, with a thick full complex body with a oily and classy note, tastes of maraschino cherries, wood resin, grapes, and chocolate, with hints of sherry and vanilla, and an earthy oak and moss aroma. The finish is long and robust, with a lingering pomegranate and nutmeg note. Love the little soccer ball patterned ice ball too!

Whisky Yamazaki 18 Year Old (SGD $42 Per Glass)


Whisky Yamazaki 18 Year Old



The olive green coloured Absinthe Belle Amie (SGD $24 Per Glass) is a French absinthe, with a refreshing and herbaceous body that has a full and creamy feel, tastes of star anise, coriander, wormwood, and fennel, with hints of hyssop and honey, and a herb and caramel aroma. The finish is sweet and long, with a lingering clove and sugar note. Leaves you craving more of this sweet savoury, herb flavoured beverage!

Absinthe Belle Amie (SGD $24 Per Glass)



The Whisky Highland Park 12 Year Old (SGD $16 Per Glass) is a Scottish whisky, with a rich full smooth body with a balanced sweet note, tastes of heather honey, grain, pineapple, and malt, with hints of green tea and apple, and a intense wood smoke aroma. The finish is long and lively, with a spicy cinnamon and cloves note.

Whisky Highland Park 12 Year Old (SGD $16 Per Glass)


Whisky Highland Park 12 Year Old






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CONVERSATION