Last November saw the celebration of Old Fashioned Month through Woodford Reserve’s The Wonderful Race. The agenda included ten of Malaysia’s top mixologists duking it out through their cocktail creations, each sharing their own interpretation of a classic to meet the year’s theme: New-Age Old Fashioned.
It wasn’t just about the best-tasting drink, however. To even be a part of the ten competing mixologists, these professionals had to create drinks that presented an interesting concept, showcased creativity, and met aesthetic standards.
One such example of a drink that checked all those boxes was Janice Lok’s Bittersweet Symphony. Lok, who represents No Bar Here, took inspiration from Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon’s brown hue and added 100% dark cacao to her creation, which she mixed with pandan soy sauce cordial for a sweet balance.
Ngie Kok Kiong from Frank’s Bar KL modernised the Old Fashioned with apricot liqueur and Aperol, along with a blend of amber maple syrup and white wine vinegar to add sweetness with acidity.
Anna Koh from Bar Terumi created A Journey In A Glass, which draws from cherished moments of her past. She manifests this in the form of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Whiskey mixed with orange blossom hydrosol, curry leaves, sugarcane syrup, plum-pickled tomatoes, and black sesame paste — each ingredient connected to her experiences growing up.
The winner of The Wonderful Race 2024, however, would be Kelvin Wong from Good Friends Club, who had initially created Tropical Spice Harmony, a drink that combined tropical fruits such as banana, jackfruit, and durian into the mix.
Wong’s winning recipe for the competition was the Terra Old Fashioned, inspired by the theme ‘Umami Wildwood’ and the challenge of creating a savoury and earthy cocktail. The end result would be a drink that infused pandan leaves with Penang wild honey, ginger, and soy sauce.
His creation was noteworthy enough to impress the panel of judges — Joni Na, Regional Brand Manager, Emerging Asia at Brown-Forman; Bannie Kang, Founder of Side Door; and Michael Cheang, Food & Beverage Editor of The Star.
As the winner of the competition, Wong will also visit the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, allowing him to further grow his craft through the insights he’ll gain from the trip. And just like that, another season of The Wonderful Race is in the books!