FROM THE DISTILLERY TO THE BARS, AN UNFILTERED PEEK INTO THE LIFE OF SINGAPORE'S GIN MAESTRO

SINGAPORE, 4 AUGUST 2022 – A love for crafting uniquely Singaporean tipples has been keeping Brass Lion Distillery motivated. More importantly, the brand hopes to elevate the city’s local drinking culture and further affirm Singapore’s thriving bar scene on the world map by building a global spirits brand. With the booming popularity of gin cocktails in Singapore, Brass Lion Distillery seeks to educate international and local audiences about how to create handcrafted spirits, while diversifying the industry with Made in Singapore drinks as Singapore’s first distillery.

In this Singapore’s National Day feature, we are given an exclusive look at the gin brand as Brand Ambassador Kino Soh shares a peek into her life, plans for world (gin) domination, and introduces her favourite bars to visitors and residents of Singapore alike.

What is an unfiltered look at your 24 hours, from your morning routine to your favourite way of unwinding?

I have a hectic work schedule and a full list of duties, but every morning starts off great, thanks to my magical mug of coffee.

When I get to the distillery, each day is an opportunity to create new possibilities and experiences. My day can be anything from an uninterrupted workday of grinding away at projects, to hopping behind the bar for some research and development on new drinks, or taste-testing freshly distilled gin.

It’s never a dull moment when you’re working with one of Singapore’s finest (and friendliest) – but after a long day of hard work, it feels so nice to go back home, kick back and relax. I love the company of good friends and a Brass Lion Butterfly Pea Gin with soda.

As someone who comes from a city with the most Asia’s 50 Best Bars, what are your favourite bars to go to?

There are so many bars in Singapore that are worth mentioning and since there are hundreds of high-quality bars, picking one is relatively tricky.

In Bad Company is known for throwing the most memorable parties in town, serving great food and having an extensive selection of our gins. Stay Gold Flamingo would be my go-to if you’re looking for a place with everything you need for a fun night out. Great drinks and excellent customer service from the friendliest team – these guys are great, and you won’t regret your visit.

Another noteworthy venue is MO Bar. It’s one of my favourites because of its eclectic menu and warm atmosphere. In addition, they offer a delicious satay-flavoured cocktail called Satay by the Bay. The cocktail is an excellent blend of the Brass Lion Singapore Dry Gin, bitters, and of course, satay. The fantastic team at the bar also makes me feel at home whenever I’m there.

If someone is looking for an incredible selection of gins that encompasses the spirit of Singapore, how would you recommend them to drink Brass Lion Gin?

A Calamansi Gimlet is one of my favourite drinks to make; it’s made up of Brass Lion Singapore Dry Gin, calamansi cordial, and lime. This simple yet delightful cocktail is our twist on a classic gimlet. It highlights the spicy, citrusy, and floral notes of The Singapore Dry Gin by pairing it with the tart and floral-flavoured calamansi fruit.

This refreshing drink goes great with many local dishes and we designed it specifically for Singapore’s weather!

Brass Lion Distillery has been around for four years now, so what do you see coming up next?

Is world domination too much to ask for? Frankly, we want to be Asia’s most recognised premium gin and be able to share the sunshine of our tropical spirits on a global stage. Plans were put on hold during Covid-19, but we are excited to get back in full force now that borders are opening up.

We’ve already made great strides towards achieving this goal thanks to our high-quality, handmade products that consist entirely of natural ingredients. In addition, we’ve joined the ecoSPIRITS initiative, which strives for sustainable production practices in the supply chain of premium spirits brands.