It’s #LSADrinks time! Wondering what’s new in the world of all things ABV? This month includes Hennessy, The Balvenie and more.
The February 2025 edition of #LSADrinks continues to take a look at the most exciting events and launches happening in Malaysia and beyond. Whether it’s the launch of The Balvenie Fifty collection or Martell’s upcoming Martell Noblige Swift Festival there’s just so much to look forward to in the world of ABV. Keep reading to find out what’s new this month!
A look at Hennessy’s Lunar New Year at Upper House
On 24 January 2025, Hennessy took to Chinatown’s Upper House for a spectacular Lunar New Year celebration. Alongside the captivating Hennessy x Shuting Qiu limited-edition collection which was displayed at the venue, Hennessy also held a lighting up spectacle for its Snake installation — designed with the Bras Armé emblem in mind. The amber and red installation’s form is crafted to reflect warmth of connection and energy of progress and ambition. The evening also saw not one but three limited edition Hennessy cocktails and specially concocted festive-inspired dishes by Chef Raymond Tham. Additionally, the chef and co-founder of The KARLS Group also prepared massive plates of yee sang for guests.
Marketing Director of Moët Hennessy Malaysia & Singapore, Laura Drozdowski Lot, on the occasion: “For more than a century, Hennessy has been a part of Malaysian Chinese celebrations, marking life’s milestones and festive gatherings with moments of connection and joy. This year, we honour that rich legacy by inviting Malaysians to reimagine the beauty of Chinese New Year traditions through a bold, modern lens. Together with Upper House KL, we embrace the values of the Year of the Snake—renewal, ambition, and progress—and invite you to toast to the endless possibilities ahead.”
Learn more HERE.
Martell Noblige Swift Festival returns in 2025
On 15 February 2025, Martell Malaysia is set to host its much anticipated Martell Noblige Swift Festival — and this time, it will be held at The Landing, KL Base. The high energy occasion’s line-up (with Gen-Z Asian Pop as its theme) comprises DJ Exclusive Pete, 2024’s Martell Noblige Swift Talent Quest winner as well as stars like DJ Soda from South Korea, Lizzy Wang from China, local songstress Priscilla Abby and talented DJs like Julian, Reeve and Nexto. Additionally, the festival will also see siblings Jestinna Kuan, Christinna Kuan and Perry Kuan come together on stage.
Learn more HERE.
All you need to know about Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series 2025
The Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series 2025 competition is back once again — and registration is set to close officially on 17 February. Returning for its fourth edition, the competition involves the crafting of one-of-a-kind cocktails using the star ingredient, the Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey. In 2023 and 2024, Backdoor Bodega’s Thanesh Joel and Bar Trigona’s Rohan Matmary were global winners; giving bars from Malaysia a back-to-back victory. The 2025 edition will be judged by Claudia Cabrera, Danil Nevsky and Millie Tang; with the winning prize being access to the Jameson HOSTS Global Summit in Cork, Ireland and a €5,000 cash award (approximately RM22,994.40) as well as being part of the Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series Mentorship Programme.
Learn more HERE.
The Balvenie introduces The Balvenie Fifty collection
One of The Balvenie’s rarest releases is now officially available! With only 125 bottles offered per year for three years only, The Balvenie Fifty Collection is a celebration of the Speyside distillery and craftsmanship. To mark the historic occasion, The Balvenie has unveiled the First Edition — spearheaded by Malt Master, Kelsey McKechnie. The release is matured in a European oak refill butt that was first filled in 1973. In addition, the Second Edition is crafted by marrying the first with American oak hogshead cask. For the Final Edition, The Balvenie looked at the 1974-filled American oak barrel for the third layer of whisky marriage.
The Balvenie Fifty Collection — comprising the now available for purchase First Edition (52.3% ABV) as well as the soon-to-be-released Second Edition and Third Edition — comes in a packaging by Cumbria-based workshop Croglin. The display set includes a 14-carat gold-plated brass element and four layers of wood in the helix structure among others.
Learn more HERE.
Stay tuned for more #LSADrinks updates!
(Hero and Featured image credit: The Balvenie)
