At the Hennessy MyWay 2025 Malaysia Championship, Oh Chong Hau of The Nest Cocktail Bar in Penang claimed the national title with a cocktail that told a layered, locally rooted story. Presented at the finals during Kuala Lumpur Cocktail Week (KLCW), his winning drink, “The Golden Fondue”, stood out for its bold composition and distinctive narrative.
Built around the depth of Hennessy V.S.O.P, the cocktail infused apple juice, gula kabung and pandan leaf to amplify the cognac’s natural richness, while the addition of aged yolk delivered an umami punch, balancing sweetness with complexity. The drink was topped with pumpkin cheese foam for added texture and a subtle, savoury creaminess that echoed fondue’s warmth. Served with a bite of crispy duck skin on the side, the drink was more than just a cocktail — it was a sensory experience designed to mirror indulgence, nostalgia, and Malaysian ingenuity in equal measure.
“Hennessy MyWay is more than just a cocktail competition, it’s a platform to fuel creativity, spark passion, and elevate Malaysia’s cocktail culture. This year’s Malaysian finalists didn’t just show talent; they brought perspective, craft, and heart. We’re proud to spotlight these mixologists, bold creators who show that Malaysia, and Hennessy, are made for more.” — Laura Drozdowski Lot, Moët Hennessy’s Marketing Director for Malaysia and Singapore.
The annual Hennessy MyWay competition is more than a showcase of bartending skill; it is a platform for mixologists to explore identity and technique through one-of-a-kind creations using Hennessy as the canvas. This year’s Malaysia edition brought together twelve semi-finalists from across the country, culminating in a finale judged by respected industry names such as Julien Pepin Lehalleur and Rachel Tann.
“Malaysia is the first stop of the Hennessy MyWay journey this year, and what a way to begin. From the very beginning, the Hennessy MyWay Challenge has been about celebrating bartenders around the world who are redefining the boundaries of creativity, and Malaysia has truly raised the bar. The talent here is bold, imaginative, technically sharp, and deeply connected to their ingredients and culture. Malaysia is no longer an underrated player in the region; it’s a rising force. This is the kind of talent the global scene needs to watch out for.” — Julien Pepin Lehalleur, Hennessy Global’s Brand Education Director.
Oh’s victory not only reflects his technical precision and creative confidence but also signals a growing maturity in the Malaysian cocktail scene. With this win, he advances to the Hennessy MyWay Global Finals in Cognac, France, where he will represent Malaysia among 17 other international bartenders. His journey underscores the rise of Malaysia as a cocktail destination to watch — one where stories, ingredients and spirit converge in the hands of a new generation of bartenders.
Now set to represent Malaysia at the global finals in Cognac, Oh brings not only his inventive use of local ingredients but also a growing confidence in Malaysia’s presence on the international bar scene. As Hennessy continues to shape global cocktail culture through this platform, Oh’s win underscores the creative potential of Southeast Asian mixology.
| Henessy MyWay |