Story and photos by Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling Gourmet TM
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The indomitable and irreverent Travelling Gourmet TM goes to a B&B but it is not a…
MODERN bed and breakfast but the NEW Bar and Billiard Room in stately Raffles Hotel. It is always nice to catch up with old friends like affable and bright Simon Hirst, the affable General Manager of Raffles…especially over a wee dram or two of the finest Single Malt Scotch Whisky! Whisky always reminds me of the Highlands where I used to hike and camp out as a student in England. Spean Bridge, Drumdadrochchit, Invertness, Elgin, Fort William and Achnacarry Castle where the courageous firebrand Commandos trained for daring raids into Nazi occupied Europe in the dead of night. I love Scotland.
Years later I did a VIP tour of all the top Whisky distilleries of Scotland from Glenlivet to Glenfiddich and Strathisla and much more…it was wonderful!
While cool jazz music played in the background, I swirled the Isle of Islay Laphroaig 17 Year old Vintage 19196 Signatory Edition Single Malt Whisky…its smoky peaty notes wafted lovingly in to the air. Simon said with a grin, “I can smell it from it from over here” This is the classic signature of a Malt from the Isle of Islay. On the palate, so smooth it is like skating on a frozen river of ice…I like my Whisky neat. As my good friend, Captain Patrick Glendinning of the 10th Gurkha Rifles used to say: The true Scotsman enjoys his Whisky naked…like a woman…
With the Nectar of the Highlands we had some Italian style Arancini which are actually rice balls with Mozzarella Cheese and Mortadella. I also liked the Turkish style ‘Cigars’ which are actually Vine wrapped or perhaps rolled is more correct, “Cigars” filled with yummy Crabmeat. We went to have a look at the soon to be ready Cigar Divan partnering with Davidoff cigars. Simon told me as he showed me the al fresco area with extra lush green foliage planted, “Guests can relax over coffee or wine or Whisky in the Cigar Divan… …here they can chill out and smoke…” I am partial to the occasional Monte Cristo No. 3 myself although I am not a fan of Castro. It is a cool idea with a great view of the Fairmont across the road and “Chopsticks”, the WW2 Memorial.
On Friday, 17 April, George S. Grant of Glenfarclas Single Malt will be hosting a Whisky Dinner in the Bar & Billiard Room from 7pm. The main course is Welsh Lamb Saddle with Glenfarclas 105, Cask Strength…
There is a legend of how they found a tiger under the Billiard table in the good olde days…Well, I found two tigers in the B & B Room. The pair are in the painting near the entrance to the kitchen one floor down. Ha! Ha!
Raffles Singapore
1 Beach Road
Singapore189673
Tel: +65 6337 1886
The Travelling Gourmet 