Overview: Several premium spirits have recently entered the Malaysian market, including new expressions from The Glenlivet, Roku Gin, and Hendrick’s. Launch events were held across Kuala Lumpur to showcase these additions to the local selection.
The Full Story
The Glenlivet Small Batch Collection 2nd Edition was launched at a media event at the Private Chamber in Kuala Lumpur. The collection features whiskies made up of a combination of hand-selected casks that shape each expression’s distinct character. It comprises three single malts – 17YO Wildflower Honey, 19YO Indulgent Chocolate, and 20YO Orchard Fruitiness, all cask strength and non-chilled filtered.
Roku Gin recently introduced its Noryo Tea Edition, a limited-edition expression inspired by Noryo, the Japanese tradition of seeking moments of refreshment and tranquillity during the height of summer. This is the second of its Seasonal Festival Collection limited editions, following the debut of the Sakura Bloom Edition in 2024. Another Hendrick’s was launched in June through an immersive ‘Anotherland’ garden event at Kwai Chai Hong in KL’s Chinatown. Gin Malaya finally got its big Malaysian launch last month, with a media tasting at RC Bar at The Ritz-Carlton KL. Xaoma Vodka officially made its Malaysian debut with a launch event at Lavantha KL last month.
Production & Profile
Exclusively matured in first-fill American oak, the 17YO Wildflower Honey has a nose that lives up to its name, with vanilla and oak at first, followed by an ice floral and honey note. This segues nicely onto the palate, with a streak of honey sweetness on the mid-palate, followed by a sweet, toffee honey finish. The 19YO Indulgent Chocolate is a combination of first-fill American oak, first-fill Sherry, and second-fill ex-Scotch barrels. On the nose, there are prominent sherry influences of dark fruits and cherries, alongside chocolate notes. It’s on the palate that this whisky shines though – with sweet raisin notes enveloped by the silkiness of chocolate, then finishing long with bittersweet dark chocolate. The 20YO Orchard Fruitiness is a blend of first-fill American oak, second-fill ex-Scotch, and second-fill American oak hogsheads, it has a prominent vanilla and fruity nose, with the fruitiness continuing on to the palate alongside honey, umami in the middle, and a simple, apples and pears finish.
Roku Gin’s Noryo Tea edition highlights two of Roku’s six signature Japanese botanicals – Sencha tea and Gyokuro green tea, both harvested at their seasonal peak to create a refreshing summer expression. On the nose, it is softer than the core Roku, but with more pronounced notes of tea, and the juniper standing out a little more as well. The palate also leads with the tea, followed by juniper and floral notes, ending with a mouth-coating, slightly tannin finish. Another Hendrick’s was inspired by Hendrick’s Master Distiller Lesley Gracie’s love of chocolate and flowers, and she decided to try and “solve the creative conundrum of creating a gin containing cacao”. On the nose, it is a bit more juniper-forward than the original Hendrick’s, helped perhaps by the brighter notes of orange blossom. The cacao really comes through on the palate, providing a velvety touch to the classic gin flavours, with the floral hints of orange blossom lingering in the background.
Gin Malaya is distilled in Scotland with Malaysian botanicals such as pandan, bunga kantan, and Bentong ginger. It has a nice pandan nose, with the lemongrass on the background, and subtle juniper, while on the palate, the ginger takes charge, followed by juniper. The Kantan expression is made with juniper, bunga kantan (ginger torch flower), and rose hip botanicals. On the nose, you get an immediate kantan aroma, with some floral notes. The bunga kantan influence is strong on both the nose and palate, and overpowers the juniper somewhat, though it gets a little citrusy on the mid-palate, followed by a long, er, kantan-y finish. Xaoma Vodka draws inspiration from “Haoma”, the ancient ritual drink that symbolised courage, wisdom and strength throughout Central Asian civilisation. Crafted using water sourced from the Kazakhstan side of the Tian Shan Mountains, the brand aspires to be a vodka that is different – inviting people to discover what vodka can truly be. It has two expressions currently – Xaoma Gold and Xaoma Ice, both made with a base of wheat. The Ice expression is crisp and clear, slightly minty and citrusy, with an easy finish. Xaoma Gold stands out significantly. On the nose, it’s clean and bright with citrusy lemons and a hint of coffee, while on the palate you get a nice creamy mouth-coating texture with cereal grains and a hint of sweetness.
Brand & Industry History
Roku Gin recently introduced its Noryo Tea Edition, a limited-edition expression inspired by Noryo, the Japanese tradition of seeking moments of refreshment and tranquillity during the height of summer. This is the second of its Seasonal Festival Collection limited editions, following the debut of the Sakura Bloom Edition in 2024. Each of these seasonal limited editions are crafted with Roku’s signature commitment to Shun – the Japanese philosophy of celebrating ingredients at their seasonal peak. Another Hendrick’s was launched in June through an immersive ‘Anotherland’ garden event at Kwai Chai Hong in KL’s Chinatown. Following the original drink’s unusual use of cucumber and rose petals, this time around, it is orange blossom and cacao that take the spotlight in Another Hendrick’s. Gin Malaya initially launched in 2024, with a media tasting at RC Bar at The Ritz-Carlton KL. Xaoma Vodka draws inspiration from “Haoma”, the ancient ritual drink that symbolised courage, wisdom and strength throughout Central Asian civilisation.
What This Means
These releases represent new additions to the Malaysian market, including the official debut of Xaoma Vodka and the welcome return of The Glenlivet. The launches highlight the availability of premium spirits across Kuala Lumpur, ranging from whisky to vodka and gin.
Consumer Takeaway
Drinkers can explore these expressions at specific venues including the Private Chamber, RC Bar at The Ritz-Carlton KL, and Lavantha KL. The Glenlivet Small Batch Collection consists of three cask-strength, non-chillfiltered single malts. Roku Gin’s Noryo Tea edition does really well in a Martini. Another Hendrick’s is presented in an all-white bottle (in contrast to the original’s all-black look). Xaoma Vodka has two expressions currently – Xaoma Gold and Xaoma Ice, both made with a base of wheat.
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