Fast forward to today, and Singapore is home to dozens of world-class drink venues, many of which feature prominently on the list of World’s 50 Best. The annual competition is actually being hosted here in the city this month, marking its first foray outside of Europe.
And, it turns out, this boomtown is pretty well-versed not only in cocktails, but the sensational spirits that are used to build them. Since 2019, it's also been home to the Singapore World Spirits Competition, an annual judging put on by the Tasting Alliance (the same folks responsible for the San Francisco World Spirits Competition). It is now regarded as one of the most prestigious events of its kind in all of Asia, where hundreds of spirits across all major categories are evaluated by some of the region’s most respected palates.
Earlier this year, the Singapore World Spirits Competition announced its list of winners for 2023. And when it came to bourbon, the title went to a bottle that remains relatively obscure to most American whiskey drinkers: Peg Leg Porker. If you consider yourself a fan of the category, it’s time to take note.
The prizewinner at SWSC is actually a “Tennessee Bourbon,” aged for eight years in virgin charred oak. Its unusual name was coined by its founder, award-winning pitmaster Carey Bringle. He purposefully brought to bottle a whiskey he felt would pair best with barbecue. So you’ll detect some strong caramel and honey in the nose, as well as smokey, tangy notes across the palate. All of it rides a decidedly nutty mouthfeel, meaning you’ll have plenty of flavors to ponder as each sip slowly fades through the finish.
