What marvelous times we live in now, with an abundance of durian cafes, durian buffets, a durian omakase experience, and even an Instagram account dedicated to hot dudes caressing the thorny husks. Plus, the King of Fruits has also invaded snacks and drinks like KitKat, curry puffs, avocado shakes, and coffee.
Oh, and let’s not forget that incredulous time when we found out someone thought it a good idea to place chunks of durian in chicken stock for steamboat.
Still, all that seems to pale in comparison to this latest discovery: Durian whisky. Two words we never thought we’d see together. And yet, this is what it’s come to.
Not much has been said about it (perhaps ignorance is bliss), except for the occasional mention of the drink at the Yummy Food Expo 2019, which recently took place at Singapore Expo last month.
Said to be the first of its kind in the country, The Durian Whisky also boasts that it’s “No. 1 in Singapore” and makes claims like how it’s “brewed from 100% pure, delicious flesh of the Musang King durian” and contains “all the anti oxidants, vitamins, proteins and minerals of the premium fruit with every sip.” Big promises for a beverage that was established not too long ago in 2016.
If you’re wondering how it’s made, the brand says its process starts with grinding and blending the flesh until it’s smooth, then adding sugar, followed by pressing and fermentation. Whisky is only thrown into the mix during the aging part.
To persuade naysayers, the site also debunks the myth that durian and alcohol don’t sit well together in your body, citing university studies that show the union of the two isn’t fatal. Instead, the pair may only cause “mild symptoms” like unsteady gait and bloating.
As strange as it sounds, Mao Shan Wang and whisky apparently aren’t too terrible a combination — we’ve heard from brave souls who tried the stuff that it’s got a rich, velvety texture, but with that added unmistakable flavor of durian. If you’re expecting whisky, however, you’ll barely get a hint of it.
Nevertheless, if your curiosity overtakes your disgust, you can order the drink online. A 260ml bottle will set you back $98, while the 700ml one costs $198.
