Woodford Reserve’s “The Wonderful Race” Returns

As part of its Old Fashioned month celebration this October, Woodford Reserve’s “The Wonderful Race” is back - now in its 3rd edition. 

 

Malaysia’s bartenders are challenged to craft the ultimate “All-Star Old Fashioned” — one that not only tastes great but redefines what this timeless cocktail can be.

India's Hapusa Gin

Hapusa calls itself the “world’s first Himalayan dry gin” because it uses juniper that actually grows in the Himalayas.

The name comes from the Sanskrit word for juniper, and the berries are foraged from near the Himalayan snow line. The higher altitude junipers are said to have a wilder, more resinous character than the cultivated varieties typically used in Western gins.

 

Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut Rum now in Malaysia

Cut & Dry Coconut is Planteray's new release, highlighting the two icons of Barbadian culture—coconuts and rum.

Ripe coconuts are harvested, cracked open by hand, and left to dry under the Caribbean sun, which concentrates their oils and flavour. These dried coconut chunks are then infused into a blend of Barbados column-still rum and pot-still rum (including their “Old Gregg” pot distillate). After infusion, the liquid is married with more Barbados rum.

Negroni Week 2025: 22 to 28 September 2025

Campari and Imbibe Magazine reunite for the global celebration of one of the world’s most iconic cocktails, once again partnered Slow Food, raising funds to support the hospitality industry. 

In 2024, Negroni Week saw the participation from nearly 13k venues across 90 countries, raising over USD600k. Funds were used for scholarships via the Negroni Week Fund Innovation Award and micro-grants supporting community projects.

 

Here in Malaysia, 165 venues nationwide are serving up their own Negroni creations, including premium donor contributors Marini’s On 57, Mesa On 51, Troika Sky Dining, and Bar Two Pour One.

Vietnam's Lady Triệu Gin

We recently got acquainted with Vietnam’s most awarded gin and best-selling craft gin (per IWSR), Lady Triệu, at Triptyk Kuala Lumpur.

The brand, launched in 2020, leans into Vietnam’s biodiversity — citrus, florals, tea, spice — pulled from different regions of the country and bottled into five distinct expressions.

Heineken Malaysia's Star Academy 2025: Now with VR

Heineken Malaysia’s Star Academy is back for its 8th year, once again inviting bartenders nationwide to train, compete, and raise the bar.

For 2025, Star Academy is going futuristic with “Tap Into The Future”, an all-new VR training module. Bartenders will now learn their craft in a gamified, multi-sensory world — using sight, sound, and touch to master pouring techniques and deepen product knowledge. 

Tiger Crystal Coldpot

Tiger Beer has rolled out a new way to enjoy mealtimes together with the Tiger Crystal Coldpot.

Styled after a traditional hotpot, the Coldpot is actually an ice bucket filled with bottles of Tiger Crystal, placed at the centre of the table for sharing.

Penang Cocktail Week 2025: Third Year Strong

Penang Cocktail Week returns for its third edition from 1–7 September 2025, and it’s shaping up to be a BIG one!

What is it?

Penang Cocktail Week is a week-long gathering of bartending talent from Malaysia and abroad, featuring bar takeovers, parties, and industry-focused events across the city.

 

What's new in 2025? 

Tiger Soju Flavoured Lager Introduces Mighty Mango

Tiger Beer Malaysia has added a new limited-edition variant to its Soju Flavoured Lager range: Mighty Mango, which blends lager with a touch of soju and tropical mango flavour.

Mighty Mango joins the existing Gutsy Grape flavour, expanding a range shaped by the popularity of soju-based beer mixes, known in Korea as “소맥” (somaek), at bars and social gatherings. 

Peddlers Gin – From Shanghai, Crafted with Eleven Botanicals

Founded in 2016, this London dry-style gin has been infused with native Chinese botanicals, reflecting Shanghai’s East-meets-West spirit.

Peddlers’ flavour profile is built around four signature Chinese botanicals: Buddha’s Hand (Yunnan) for citrus brightness, Sichuan Pepper (Qingxi) for warm spice, Lotus Flower (Gansu) for delicate florals, and Tianshan Almonds (Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang) for nutty sweetness.