On the Menu | ‘World’s finest and rarest’ wines and spirits on show in Macau, from US$160,000 Hennessy cognac to ultra-rare Finn Thomson whisky

I’ve long been fascinated by the culture of consumerism in Macau, where casinos and luxury boutiques are common bedfellows. Lucky night at the tables? A shopping spree is just a chip’s throw away.

Although Macau’s previously bright positioning as the “Las Vegas of the East” has somewhat dimmed post-pandemic, there is still very much a market for high-end experiences and extravagance to sate the appetites of consumers – in particular, the moneyed shoppers from mainland China who have resumed their travels to the former Portuguese enclave.

One of the most impressive shows of power to date is a DFS Masters of Wine and Spirits pop-up exhibition – running until the end of April – that takes more than 100 top-shelf labels from 50 of the world’s leading producers and places them in the thoroughfare of the City of Dreams complex in Taipa.

A futuristic, Blade Runner-esque set of neon pink and black circular structures sprawled across the luxury shopping centre’s T Galleria invites visitors to weave their way down its atrium past shelves lined with millions of dollars worth of booze as though in a high-end liquor store in the metaverse.

Under the glow from neighbouring luxury boutiques such as branches of Dior, Salvatore Ferragamo and Louis Vuitton, connoisseurs can take in the curation of fine wines and spirits available for this year.

Divided into categories including champagnes, wines, whiskies, cognacs and – new for 2023 – sections dedicated to premium rum and tequila, the pop-up is touted as an opportunity for collectors to explore rare cellar and distillery releases, limited edition bottles, and exclusive bottles created especially for DFS.