SyZyGy is the newest bar in town with a unique proposition – it specialises in French brandies, in particular, Armagnac.
If this is the first time you’ve heard of Armagnac, you’re not alone. It may need a little introduction, but once you taste it, you’re likely to succumb to its charms.
Armagnac is a French brandy made from white grapes in Gascony, Southwest France and is often referred to as Cognac’s cousin. The two grape brandies share a common core of similarities, but they are distinct and individualistic in their own way.
Broadly, there are three differences worth knowing. First, Armagnac uses four different grapes – ugni blanc, folle blanche, colombard and baco blanc, while Cognac calls for a single grape: ugni blanc. Second, a Cognac comes from the village of Cognac and Armagnac, you guessed it right, comes from Armagnac. Finally, a Cognac is distilled twice, giving it a smoother, cleaner texture. An Armagnac is distilled only once and delivers a more robust, complex flavour.
SyZyGy is the first Armagnac-centric bar of its kind that offers a unique brandy experience. Here, founder and Armagnac collector Selin Tanetvitayavet has curated ten labels ranging from Chateau de Lacquy and Dartigalongue, and the highly collectable Laberdolive and Domaine Boingneres (dubbed “king and queen of Armagnac” respectively). The brandies range from clear to aged, including Laberdolive 1923, the oldest Armagnac available at the bar.
Tanetvitayavet, an entrepreneur and exclusive distributor leading premium Armagnac labels in Thailand and Singapore, says, “Our aim is to make Armagnac more accessible to die-hard enthusiasts and more approachable for newcomers who embrace a quest for excellence.” Most of them are available as single pours of 30ml (priced between $16 to $69++) and others as part of a tasting flight of three.
The experience doesn’t end with brandies; it extends further to cocktails and grazing platters. Veteran mixologist Jeremie Tan has created a cocktail menu with Armagnac spirit including an exquisite Negroni ($33++) crafted with D’esperance five-year-old Armagnac at its base.
Then there is caviar. SyZyGy has partnered with The Beluga Club to deliver preservative-free, fresh, and pristine pearls of Iranian caviar sourced directly from the Caspian Sea. On offer this month are two varietals: pure breed Beluga (huso huso sturgeons) and the buttery Ossetra pearls that pair remarkably well with the brandies.
SyZyGy is at Level 2, 247 Beach Road Singapore 189756.
