Where creativity meets competition, one Old Fashioned cocktail reigned supreme. Kelvin Wong from Good Friends Club has emerged triumphant among 9 other bartenders in the second edition of Woodford Reserve’s The Wonderful Race Competition with his signature creations of Tropical Spice Harmony and Terra Old Fashioned.
Ten talented bartenders took on the exciting challenge of crafting their unique “New-Age” Old Fashioned – each infused with personal stories, inspiration, and individual flair. Through innovative techniques and captivating narratives, they impressed the judges with both flavour and the fascinating tales behind their creations. The top five then advanced to a thrilling second round, where they faced a surprise twist: incorporating a mystery theme into a brand-new cocktail on the spot.
Introducing The Winning New-Age Old Fashioned Cocktail
Kelvin Wong, inspired by the theme ‘Umami Wildwood’, was challenged to create a savory, earthy cocktail highlighting the bourbon’s deep woody richness. He received four ingredients—Gula Melaka, pandan leaves, orange, and black tea—of which at least one had to be incorporated. Within an hour, he crafted the Terra Old Fashioned, infusing pandan leaves with Penang wild honey, ginger, and soy sauce. He enhanced the drink with his pre-prepared local herbs and spices bitters, blended it with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, and finished with a slice of pandan leaf as garnish.
Judged by a panel of industry heavyweights Joni Na (Regional Brand Manager, Emerging Asia at Brown-Forman), Bannie Kang (Founder of Side Door & 50 World Best Bartender 2021), and Michael Cheang (Food & Beverage Editor from The Star).
“Last year’s race truly raised the bar. This year’s finalists have met it. The level of creativity was beyond our wildest imagination, and we had a hard time picking a champion. Every finalist brought something unique to the table. Ultimately, it was Kelvin’s ingenuity of exploring the boundaries yet being able to stay rooted to the core elements of Old Fashioned that clinched the title”, Joni Na said.
Janice Lok from No Bar Here secured the first runner-up position with her remarkable creation, Oriental Amber, followed by Ngie Kok Kiong from Frank’s Bar as the second runner-up with Marie-Antoinette: Let Them Eat Cake. Special mentions go to Justin Tay from Cabinet 8 for his delightful Double Nutty and Anna Koh from Bar Terumi with her captivating Spice Embrace, earning their spots in the esteemed top five.
An Extraordinary Reward Awaits
As the newly crowned champion, Kelvin Wong will enjoy an unforgettable trip to the iconic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, for an immersive experience in bourbon craftsmanship.