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Creativity and craftsmanship took centre stage as Kelvin Wong from Good Friends Club emerged victorious in the second edition of Woodford Reserve’s The Wonderful Race. Held in celebration of Old Fashioned Month, this prestigious competition challenged 10 of Malaysia’s top bartenders to redefine the classic Old Fashioned cocktail. Wong triumphed with his signature creations, Tropical Spice Harmony and Terra Old Fashioned, showcasing innovation, skill, and a deep understanding of Woodford Reserve bourbon.
A Celebration of the “New-Age” Old Fashioned
This year’s competition theme, The New-Age Old Fashioned, tasked contestants with infusing modern creativity into the timeless cocktail. Participants impressed the panel of judges with unique flavours, artistic presentations, and captivating narratives behind their creations.
In the first round, contestants presented their pre-prepared cocktails, each designed to embody personal stories and individual flair. The top five mixologists then advanced to an intense second round, where they faced a surprise twist: incorporating a mystery theme into a completely new creation within one hour.
Kelvin Wong’s winning cocktail, Terra Old Fashioned, was inspired by the theme Umami Wildwood. Using ingredients such as Gula Melaka, pandan leaves, orange, and black tea, Wong crafted a savoury, earthy drink that highlighted the bourbon’s woody notes. Blended with wild honey, ginger, and soy sauce, the cocktail was finished with a garnish of pandan leaf, impressing judges with its complexity and balance.
The Competition
Judges included Joni Na, Regional Brand Manager of Brown-Forman; Bannie Kang, founder of Side Door and a former World’s 50 Best Bartenders honouree; and Michael Cheang, Food & Beverage Editor at The Star. The judges praised this year’s finalists for their ingenuity, with Na remarking, “The level of creativity was beyond our wildest imagination, and we had a hard time picking a champion. Kelvin’s ability to stay rooted in tradition while pushing boundaries clinched the title.”
The competition celebrated creativity across the board. First runner-up Janice Lok from No Bar Here impressed with her creation Oriental Amber, while second runner-up Ngie Kok Kiong from Frank’s Bar wowed with Marie-Antoinette: Let Them Eat Cake. Special mentions went to Justin Tay from Cabinet 8 for Double Nutty and Anna Koh from Bar Terumi for Spice Embrace, completing the top five finalists.
Kelvin Wong’s victory earned him an exclusive trip to the iconic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. There, he will experience the art of bourbon craftsmanship first-hand at this historic landmark.
Old Fashioned Month: A Global Tradition
The Old Fashioned cocktail is traditionally made with three simple ingredients: bourbon, sugar, and bitters. Started as old-fashioned week in Paris in 2015, the celebration over time grew in popularity and now has grown to a month long celebration.
Both Woodford Reserve and the Old Fashioned have their roots in Kentucky, as cocktail historians generally agree the cocktail’s name was first used at the Pendennis Club in Louisville. It was popularised by Col. James E. Pepper in 1881, when it was introduced to high society at the Waldorf Astoria New York, and is now the top classic cocktail in the world.
This annual celebration highlights the enduring appeal of the Old Fashioned cocktail, which originated in Kentucky and is now a global icon. Woodford Reserve, with its deep Kentucky roots, continues to honour this legacy through innovative events like The Wonderful Race.
Stay updated on future competitions and celebrations by following @woodfordreserve and @woodfordreserve_sea on Instagram, and join the conversation with #woodfordreserve and #WRthewonderfulrace.
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