The liquor industry has been growing rapidly year after year, and the world’s top brands are coming in hot with an abundance of new spirits and wines, with many limited-edition expressions, monumental partnerships, and refreshed brand identities. Without further ado, here’s a roundup of some of the latest alcohol launches in Malaysia that you can now get your hands on.
[Note: This article was originally published on 3 May, 2023 and will be updated throughout the year as more releases become available in the market.]
Malfy Gin
Pernod Ricard Malaysia welcomes a new gin to its portfolio with the introduction of Malfy Gin in the Malaysian market. Prepare to be transported to the sunny Amalfi Coast with the premium gin brand’s two variants, Malfy Gin Con Limone and Malfy Gin Rosa. Distilled by the Vergnano family in the Italian region of Moncalieri, the brand is known for using traditional Italian methods that date back to the 11th century, incorporating local botanicals along with Monviso water from Crissolo Spring—the highest and purest spring water in the country.
The Malfy Gin Con Limone is a refreshing blend of Italian sun-ripened lemons and Amalfi lemon peel that add zesty, citrusy notes to the fine botanicals and handpicked juniper. On the other hand, the Malfy Gin Rosa bursts with the aroma of Sicilian pink grapefruits, Italian lemons and anise, leaving a lingering juniper finish.
Price: RM314
Malfy Gin will be available via the Pernod Ricard Official Shopee store as well as selected premium retail outlets and bars.
Hennessy V.S.O.P X Team Wang Design
Hennessy V.S.O.P has teamed up with Jackson Wang, Hennessy’s global brand ambassador and Creative Director of Team Wang design, for an exclusive release of the popular expression. Fusing art, culture and craftsmanship, the collaboration brings together the iconic French cognac maker and the Shanghai-based luxury streetwear label for a limited edition bottle that captures the magnetic spirit of modern luxury culture.
Inspired by his visit to the heart of Hennessy in Cognac, France, Wang reinterprets the Hennessy V.S.O.P bottle with a new motif based on the colour, movement and modern aesthetic of Team Wang design. Three colours were selected for their shared symbolism: white for modernity; vibrant red as a tribute to Hennessy V.S.O.P’s signature hue; and gold to honour the spirit of showmanship. The motif appears to swirl around the label, transforming and evolving from every angle, much like the live performances of the celebrated artist.
Wang will also play a key role in ‘Enter the Show’, an avant-garde campaign directed by Paolo Sorrentino that reinforces Hennessy V.S.O.P at the forefront of fashion, fantasy, and nighttime revelry across the Asian region.
Price: RM389
The Hennessy V.S.O.P x Team Wang Design bottle will be available at The Chamber in Sunway Pyramid and Pavilion Bukit Jalil, as well as online via Shopee and at The Good Stuff from November 2023.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami
This November, Johnnie Walker has released a new limited edition bottle—the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami—crafted in collaboration with Emma Walker, master blender of Johnnie Walker, and renowned Japanese Chef Kei Kobayashi. Drawing from their combined years of experience, these two masters of flavour created an expression that seamlessly blends the essence of umami, a Japanese term for the ‘fifth taste’, into the signature profile of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
The result is a beautifully balanced blended Scotch whisky presenting sweet and savoury flavours, with notes of blood oranges and red berries with sweet wood spice, a touch of smoked meat, and a hint of salt and pepper with a long, sweet fruit finish. It is bottled at an ABV of 43 per cent.
Price: RM1,735 (75cl bottle)
The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Umami is available in Malaysia from 1 November 2023.
The Deacon
Make way for The Deacon—a new whisky that’s set to disrupt the industry with its unique profile of sweet and smoky flavours. Launched as the result of a partnership between Pernod Ricard Malaysia and US-based Sovereign Brands, The Deacon is a premium blended scotch whisky that’s crafted using hand-selected whiskies from Scotland’s historic Islay and Speyside regions.
Unveiled via a steampunk-themed event at Skullduggery, the whisky arrives housed in a unique, embossed vessel that alludes to the traditional copper pot stills used in the whisky distillation process. On the label, an illustration of a curious character wearing a pair of goggles makes it stand out from the rest of the bottles on the shelves.
The name “Deacon” refers to an adept and proficient master tradesman, befitting the expert distillers behind the brand who are masters of their craft. Single malts from Islay lend the whisky its peaty smoke flavours, while single malts from the mainland of Scotland give it a bonfire-like smoky aroma. The resulting masterful blend is complex, rich and bold, characterised by sweet and delicate spice and smooth, tangy peat. It’s great on its own or enjoyed in a cocktail, particularly a Penicillin.
Price: RM355
The Deacon is available for sale in selected retail stores and outlets. For more information on The Deacon, visit the website here.
Glenfiddich Grand Yozakura
Glenfiddich welcomed the latest addition to the Grand Series over an exclusive dinner curated by Chef James Won of Shin’Labo—the Grand Yozakura. This expression is a limited-edition Glenfiddich 29 Year Old Whisky that’s matured at the brand’s distillery in Dufftown and finished in oak casks that previously aged the oldest distilled alcoholic spirit in Japan, known as Awamori. In fact, it is the first single malt scotch whisky ever to be finished in rare ex-Awamori casks.
The Grand Yozakura also pays homage to hanami, Japan’s famed cherry blossom festival, which celebrates the temporal beauty of nature. Portrayed as a season for renewal and optimism, the magic of the festival is best experienced under the moonlight—a sight referred to as Yozakura or ‘night sakura’.
Reflecting this fleeting moment that honours nature, the rare liquid will be available in limited quantities that will never be reproduced. It presents a collision of Scottish and Japanese cultures and flavours that starts with a burst of ripe fruits and caramelised onions on the nose. This is followed by intricate layers of toasted oak and creamy vanilla blended with spice and sherbet, before concluding with heightened aromas of oak.
Price: RM9,000
For more information, visit the official website here.
L’or de Jean Martell 1715 Assemblage du Lapin
As an ode to the Year of the Rabbit, Maison Martell held a three-day event in KL to commemorate the latest Zodiac Edition of their most prestigious cognac, L’Or De Jean Martell 1715. Dubbed Assemblage du Lapin, meaning the Martell Zodiac Rabbit, the limited edition bottle is the second release in the zodiac series. It features the same signature blend of cognac that’s enriched with rare vintage eaux-de-vie stemming from past Years of the Rabbit, resulting in the elegance of the original, but with greater complexity, richness and length in the mouth.
The gold liquid is housed in an exquisite crystal decanter adorned with gold-painted décor and a crystal stopper shaped in the form of a rabbit, painstakingly crafted by the renowned French Crystal House Manufacturer, Daum. Each crystal stopper is numbered and takes countless hours to make. There are only 30 bottles available in Malaysia, making it an enviable addition to any cognac collector’s shelf.
Price: RM55,000
The L’Or de Jean Martell Assemblage du Lapin is available through direct sales only. For more information, visit the official website here.
The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Licensed Dram
After the release of The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Illicit Still in 2020, the heritage Scotch whisky brand has introduced the latest addition to the ‘Original Stories’ series—The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Licensed Dram. For the uninitiated, the series brings to life The Glenlivet story and how it continues to break traditions through limited-edition 12 Year Old whiskies.
This new expression celebrates the brand’s pioneering history as the first officially licensed whisky distillery in the parish of Glenlivet. Although The Glenlivet had previously operated illicitly in the remote, isolated Livet valley, King George IV requested for a dram of the infamous whisky during his trip to Scotland in August 1822. A change in legislation two years later allowed founder George Smith to obtain a licence for the whisky distillery, marking a bold new chapter in its history.
Paying homage to that legacy, The Glenlivet 12 Year Old Licensed Dram honours the distillery’s floral and fruity style, intensified by first fill casks (ex-American and ex-European). It has notes of golden honey and custard, layered with hazelnut and liquorice, with a long and slightly sweet finish.
Price: RM376.20
For more information, visit the official website here. To purchase a bottle, click here.
Royal Salute Jodhpur Polo
Royal Salute has long been synonymous with polo, AKA the ‘Sport of Kings’. To celebrate this unique legacy, the scotch whisky brand has unveiled a new expression in the Polo Collection: Royal Salute 21 Year Old Jodhpur Polo Edition. Celebrating the birthplace of modern polo and its royal roots—the Blue City of Jodhpur, India—this expression takes inspiration from the country’s rich spices and flavours. It consists of a blend of carefully curated malt whiskies that have been fully finished in virgin oak casks. The final expression offers notes of sweet mangoes and coconut, rich caramel and warm cinnamon cloves, leaving a lingering, spicy finish.
Price: RM1,088
The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Jodhpur Polo Edition is available in limited quantities at selected premium retail and liquor stores, e-commerce platforms, as well as via direct purchase. For more information, visit the official website here.
Ki No Bai
Following the release of Ki No Bi Edition G (scroll down below), The Kyoto Distillery has unveiled a first-of-its-kind Kyoto Plum and Berry Liqueur, dubbed Ki No Bai. This unique spirit is the distillery’s interpretation of British sloe gin, crafted from local ingredients such as haskap berries from Hokkaido and ume plums from Kyoto. The former is harvested at the beginning of the season, whereas the latter is harvested during the peak of its season to celebrate the freshness of summer produce.
After harvesting, the plums are macerated for at least nine months in a specially crafted edition of the Ki No Bi Dry Gin. The haskap berries are also macerated in the gin for about a month to enhance the flavours, aromas and colour before they are blended together with the plums and Ki No Bi base. The blend is then sweetened with hokuren sugar that is sourced from Hokkaido, resulting in a harmonious balance of sweet and sour notes.
Featuring a ruby red hue derived from the haskap berries, Ki No Bai offers hints of blackcurrant and cherries on the nose with almond and pinecone notes on the palate. Bottled at 29.5 per cent ABV, it was originally created to be used in cocktails, but may also be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. The balance of umami and acidic flavours make this expression a flavourful low-ABV alternative for fans of the Ki No Bi range.
Price: From RM498
Ki No Bai is now available for purchase in limited quantities at selected Japanese outlets and through direct sales. For more details, visit this website.
The Singleton 40-Year-Old
The Singleton 40-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky launched in Malaysia in June, marking the third and final chapter of the Epicurean Odyssey series by The Singleton of Glen Ord Distillery. There are only 48 bottles available in Malaysia, making this highly limited release a covetable addition to any single malt whisky connoisseur’s collection.
Master of Malt Maureen Robinson pushed the boundaries of experimentation and craft to create this exquisite expression, which took 28 years of secondary maturation—the longest by the distillery. The resulting whisky boasts notes of velvet dark chocolate and rich plums, with indulgent depths of layer and a smooth, fruity finish.
Price: RM16,999
The Singleton 40-Year-Old will be available locally at The Chamber, Starhill or on their website.
Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut Edition 2022
Every year, Monkey 47 embarks on a quest to discover the perfect 48th ingredient for its collectible Distiller’s Cut limited edition release. Some ingredients from past years were found in the highlands, while others came from the depths of the sea. But the special addition to the 2022 release was sourced from a familiar landscape, none other than its own backyard—the Black Forest. The not-so-secret ingredient: woodruff.
Dried for several weeks before they’re added to the traditional Monkey 47 macerate, woodruff adds an intoxicating interplay of aromas that results in a spicy yet elegant expression. The resulting Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut Edition 2022 features delicate top notes of cinnamon and vanilla against a backdrop of extraordinary density and complexity.
With only 50 bottles available in Malaysia, the Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut 2022 is, unfortunately, not available for purchase but reserved for exclusive tastings. The bottle is completed with a bright green label reflecting woodruff’s leaves, housed in a gift box created with sustainable FSC paper and adorned with Monkey 47’s legendary wallpaper design.
For more information on Monkey 47, visit the website. To purchase a bottle of the classic Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin, visit the Pernod Ricard Malaysia Official Shopee Store.
Telmont Champagne
New to Malaysia’s champagne market is the House of Telmont, which recently made its mark with an effervescent launch at Bar Trigona. Founded in 1912 by Henri Lhôpital, Telmont Champagne is now in its fourth generation of winegrowers and is known for house-style wines that are defined by a structured body, with balanced acidity and a long-lasting finish.
At the heart of the brand is an ambition to become a 100 per cent certified organic champagne house within the next decade. In line with its sustainability goals, Telmont Champagne does away with transparent bottles, packaging, and gift boxes to minimise waste; opting to list all the components and production methods on the labels printed on its individually numbered, fully recyclable bottles instead. The brand debuted four expressions at the launch: Réserve Brut, Réserve Rosé, Blanc de Blancs 2013 and Vinothèque 2013.
Telmont Champagne is available for direct purchase through Remy Cointreau Malaysia and selected retailers. For more information about Champagne Telmont, click here.
Diageo ‘Elusive Expressions’ 2022 Special Releases
Avid whisky collectors would be no stranger to Diageo’s Special Releases, where mystical beasts present themselves through striking artwork and stories adorning a selection of whisky bottles. On that note, its latest chapter—the Elusive Expressions 2022 Special Releases—was recently unveiled in Malaysia, featuring eight aged and finely finished whiskies that are carefully crafted and handpicked by Master Blender Dr. Craig Wilson.
Once again, illustrator Ken Taylor lends his signature style to the mystical designs that dress these bottles, in partnership with fellow illustrator Kevin Tong. Fusing fantasy, art and whisky, the new cask finishes offer a depth of complexity and character, resulting in intricate and unexpected flavours that promise to excite whisky connoisseurs.
The eight whiskies within the 2022 Special Releases collection include:
- Mortlach NAD
- The Singleton of Glen Ord 15-Year-Old
- Lagavulin 12-Year-Old
- Talisker 11-Year-Old
- Clynelish 12-Year-Old
- Cardhu 16-Year-Old
- Oban 10-Year-Old
- Cameronbridge 26-Year-Old
Price: RM8,310.75
The Diageo ‘Elusive Expressions’ 2022 Special Releases collection is available for purchase in limited quantities at The Chamber, Starhill Gallery.
Dom Perignon Vintage 2013
Following its 2012 vintage release in 2021, Dom Perignon has unveiled the highly anticipated Dom Perignon Vintage 2013 in Malaysia. Born from a year marked by alternating extremes, the latest vintage continues the brand’s legacy of late-harvest vintages, albeit coming in the middle of two decades of early vintages—with the 2004 vintage being an exception. Due to the cold winter months at the beginning of 2013 and a rainy spring thereafter, the vineyards did not bloom until the end of July. This was followed by a hot, dry summer, with heavy rainfall ensuing in September, thus causing a delayed harvest that lasted until the middle of October.
The harsh, contrasting conditions produced full-bodied grapes with well-balanced acidity. It then took ten years of maturation to ensure the harmonisation of the assemblage and reveal the splendour of Dom Perignon’s chardonnays and pinot noirs. This precision results in a blend of eucaplytus, mint, vetiver, mirabelle plums, apricot and orange blossom, cardamon and licorice sticks on the nose; while leaving an elegant mouthfeel. It gradually intensifies on the palate before ceding a clean, saline finish.
The launch of the latest vintage came in tandem with the announcement of its newly appointed DP Society Chef, Chef Darren Chin, who showcased the five unique facets of the champagne through a pairing menu at DC Restaurant—intensity, tactile, complexity, minerality and precision.
The Dom Perignon Vintage 2013 will be available in the Malaysian market from May 2023.
Glencadam
Hailing from one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries are Glencadam’s famed single malt whiskies. Founded in 1825, Glencadam has long been prominent as a premium malt whisky for blending and is in demand for creating the world’s most renowned blends. After numerous succession of owners, two world wars, and several halts in production, Glencadam launched its first ever single malt product, the Glencadam Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 15 Years in 2005. It was relaunched in 2009 with new packaging, accompanied by the release of a 10-year-old expression.
Recently launched in Malaysia, the Glencadam single malt whisky range consists of seven of the Highland’s core range expressions, including the multi-award-winning Glencadam 10- and 15-Year-Old single malt whiskies, 25-Year-Old, 13-Year-Old, and the non-age stated Origin 1825, American Oak Reserve, and Reserva Andalucia. Glencadam’s range of exquisite single malt whiskies are made using locally sourced barley and pure water from the Angus hills, and embody a distinctive flavour profile that is complex, sweet, and fruity.
Price:
- Glencadam Origin 1825: RM298
- Glencadam American Oak Reserve (Bourbon Barrel Matured): RM296
- Glencadam Reserva Andalucía (Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish): RM347
- Glencadam 10 Year Old: RM358
- Glencadam 13 Year Old: RM453
- Glencadam 15 Year Old: RM498
- Glencadam 25 Year Old: RM2,200
To purchase the Glencadam range of single malt whiskies, visit any specialist retailers or shop online here.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Dundas
Johnnie Walker has unveiled the fifth limited-edition release of the Blue Label Ghost and Rare series, which embodies the character of rare whiskies from one of the world’s most famous Grain Whisky distilleries, the Glasgow “ghost” distillery of Port Dundas—a whisky blending powerhouse built in 1811. This special edition blend is crafted using noteworthy “ghost” whiskies fused with other rare expressions from the Johnnie Walker reserves, and its slow maturation signifies that the delicate grain character is given time to bloom.
Crafted by the Johnnie Walker whisky makers and Master Blender Dr Emma Walker, this new limited edition features a number of unique aged whiskies that are matured in two American oak wood types for depth and layers, married with two “ghost” whiskies from the distilleries of Cambus and Brora as well as other rare Scotch from five iconic distilleries. The result is an extraordinary whisky with creamy, wood notes with hints of vanilla and soft smoke, along with notes of spiced apples and aromas of peaches and berries.
Price: RM1,736
The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Dundas is available for purchase via Diageo Malaysia’s official Shopee and Lazada stores.
Bruichladdich Black Art 10
Bruichladdich distillery’s latest launch is the Black Art 10, the tenth annual release in its limited edition series of unpeated Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Since its inception in 2012, the elusive Black Art has fascinated whisky aficionados across the world as it is formulated in total secrecy. Unparalleled and unrepeatable, the Black Art 10 is an expression of creative freedom and its recipe is kept confidential by its Head Distiller, Adam Hannett.
The Black Art 10 29-year-old single malt is a 1993 vintage, crafted in pre-renaissance casks from its distillery which have been ageing on Islay for nearly 30 years. The Black Art 10 experience begins with bright and fruity aromas on the nose that progresses into praline, cedar, and leather notes. On the palate, one can expect the complexities of orange barley sugars, ginger nut biscuits and lemon meringue pie, with a tinge of smooth chocolate and vanilla. Its velvety, smooth finish is anchored by tablet and fudge, with lingering subdued notes of tobacco and ginger.
Price: NA
The Bruichladdich Black Art 10 is now available for purchase via the distillery’s website and selected specialist whisky retailers.
Hennessy X.O X Kim Jones
Maison Hennessy has partnered with fashion force, creative director and fashion designer Kim Jones—bridging iconic style and luxury through the Hennessy X.O x Kim Jones collection to celebrate the greatness of X.O and its influence on culture. Weaving Hennessy X.O’s 150-year heritage with Jones’ cutting-edge creative vision, the exclusive collaboration features the Hennessy X.O Masterpiece and the Hennessy X.O Limited Edition bottle, both designed by Jones.
3D-printed and finished by hand with only 200 pieces available, the sculptural Hennessy X.O Masterpiece is a “piece of bespoke couture for a bottle” inspired by the origins of Hennessy X.O. This elegant titanium bottle casing is an architectural work of art that features twisting folds, paying homage to the draping technique that is reminiscent of how Hennessy’s bottles were enveloped in tissue paper in the 20th century. Finished with a fusil and dipped in gradient colours inspired by the various eaux-de-vie that make up the Hennessy X.O, the casing also has an undulating oak plateau in honour of the oak barrels used to age the eaux-de-vie. On the other hand, the Hennessy X.O Limited Edition bottle is enclosed in aluminium as a second skin, and showcases the signature shape of the bottle while still displaying a couture silhouette.
Price:
- Hennessy X.O Masterpiece designed by Kim Jones: £25,000
- Hennessy X.O Limited Edition by Kim Jones: From RM1,070
The Hennessy X.O Masterpiece will be available via Hennesy’s Private Client department. The Hennessy X.O Limited Edition by Kim Jones will be available worldwide in high-end distribution and experiential retail spaces, as well as in retail shops and malls.
Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec 2021
In conjunction with Malbec World Day on April 17, Terrazas de los Andes, the Argentinian pioneer of high-altitude winegrowing dating back to the early 1990s, has revealed a revamped brand identity. It spotlights new packaging on the Reserva Malbec 2021 that elevates consumers on a “journey of ascension”, commemorating the sacred Andes mountains as the brand’s spirit. The new packaging and wrap-around label pay homage to the rugged rocky faces of this emblematic mountainous range, complemented by earth tones inspired by the Andean nature and the winery’s signature tagline, “Where the earth meets the sky.”
Encapsulating the “fresh taste of mountain magic”, Terrazas wines are elegantly balanced, vibrant and full-bodied, punctuated with bright and deep fruity aromas and flavours. In keeping with their mindfulness towards sustainability, the new bottle and packaging produce 24 per cent less carbon emissions compared to the previous packaging. Subsequently, the Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec received a commendation from The VinLog Green Packaging Award at the Drinks Business Green Awards in November 2022.
The Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec 2021 will be available for purchase in the Malaysian market from April 2023.
Ki No Bi Edition G
Kyoto’s very first craft gin, Ki No Bi, has added the limited edition Ki No Bi Edition G to its portfolio. It is the brand’s very first champagne cask-aged Kyoto dry gin—a new expression from a ground-breaking collaboration between the Kyoto Distillery and Champagne Henri Giraud. Aged in oak barrels from the Argonne Forest previously used to mature Henri Giraud’s champagne, the Ki No Bi Edition G is delicately matured until the fruitiness and vanilla oak flavours are infused with the original botanical blend.
The artisanal Ki No Bi Edition G gin extends the aromas of warm buttery oak and wood spice on the nose with touches of vanilla and burnt toffee on the palate, making for a full and chewy finish that leaves a delightfully sophisticated and harmonious balance of oak, caramel, and tannin.
Price: RM1,043
Ki No Bi Edition G is now available for purchase at selected Japanese outlets and through direct sales. For more details, visit this website.
(READ ALSO: Our review of the exclusive Ki No Bi gin pairing menu with Sushi Taka)
Royal Salute 21 Year Old Blended Grain Scotch
The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Blended Grain Scotch whisky can now be found in Malaysia, and the rich and refined blend is inspired by the brand’s history and moments of camaraderie, which echoes the brand’s beginnings marking the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Developed by Royal Salute Master Blender Sandy Hyslop through a complex process involving brilliant craftsmanship and expertise, the 21 Year Old Blended Grain fuses some of the finest hand-selected grain whiskies sourced from some of the most revered distilleries across Scotland, aged mostly in American oak casks for at least 21 years.
Showcasing a one-of-a-kind flavour and luxurious texture, the 21 Year Old Blended Grain was meticulously crafted with a perfect blend of grains, and is lusciously balanced and sweet—bursting with layers of blossom honey, soft peach and creamy toffee before arriving at a long and smooth finish. This exceptional expression is housed in a clear glass flagon adorned with gold detailing.
Price: RM909
The Royal Salute 21 Year Old Blended Grain is available at selected premium retail and liquor stores, e-commerce platforms, as well as via direct purchase. For more information, visit this website.
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