Want to show your love for locally crafted products? Discover some of the best Malaysian booze brands today.
In a country as rich in cultural diversity and heritage as Malaysia, there exists a deep-rooted sense of pride and solidarity when it comes to supporting local talent, businesses, and craftsmanship. Whether it’s food, fashion, or innovation, Malaysians have consistently shown their unwavering support for homegrown ventures—rallying around local entrepreneurs especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. That spirit of unity and resilience has helped many businesses weather storms and emerge stronger.
Malaysia has no shortage of success stories. We’ve gifted the world with the legendary designer Jimmy Choo, the global hotel empire Shangri-La founded by Robert Kuok, and coveted accessory brands like Wanderlust + Co and Yukimoto. But what might surprise many is Malaysia’s growing presence in a less expected sector: alcohol. Despite being a Muslim-majority nation with conservative leanings, Malaysia has a long and storied history of alcohol production—particularly among its minority and indigenous communities.
Traditional brews like tuak, samsu, and toddy have been enjoyed for generations, predating even British colonial influence. These drinks are like cultural artifacts that reflect the rich tapestry of Malaysian heritage.
Today, Malaysia’s alcohol scene is undergoing a quiet revolution. Beyond the age-old traditions, a new wave of craft producers is making their mark with locally distilled spirits, beers, and wines. Many of these labels are receiving international praise, winning awards, and proving Malaysian craftsmanship belongs on the global stage.
In the spirit of celebrating our own and lifting up local creators, we shine a spotlight on some of the best Malaysian-made beers, spirits, and wines worth stocking in your bar. So raise your glasses—here’s to Malaysian craftsmanship and ingenuity.
(Hero and feature images credit: Instagram/ @timahwhiskeyofficial & @omnibor_brewery)
#SupportLocal: Stock your bar with these Malaysian-made booze brands
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Whiskey isn’t what Malaysia is traditionally known for, but Timah is changing that narrative. Produced in Ipoh, a city steeped in mining history, this double-peated blended whiskey captured international attention when it snagged a silver medal at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. With fruity notes on the nose, a smoky and slightly floral palate, and a smooth oak finish, Timah proves Malaysian whiskey is a serious contender.
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This family-run business spans three generations of women, blending Sarawakian tradition with modern methods. DUI Tuak crafts premium, handcrafted rice wine using a paddy-to-bottle approach in Kuala Lumpur. Their tuak is infused with uniquely local flavours like lemongrass, Sarawak pepper, roselle, and sugarcane—offering a fresh take on a heritage drink. “DUI,” from the Kayan language, fittingly means “to drink.”
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Operating primarily through pop-ups in Kuching, Omnibor Brewery is on a mission to elevate traditional rice wine with a modern flair. Using only locally sourced ingredients, the brand brews tuak, fruit wines, meads, and langkau—a potent rice-based spirit—while balancing indigenous practices with innovative techniques.
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Making a name for itself in Malaysia’s craft beer scene, PaperKite launched in 2022 and has already bagged multiple international awards. With standout brews like their Oatmeal Stout (which won gold at the World Beer Awards), Pale Ale, IPA, and Copper Ale—all brewed locally—PaperKite is proving that Malaysian craft beer can compete with the best.
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Based in Miri, Sarawak, Tuak Atelier creates rice wines that champion local produce with an inventive twist. From buah kantan and pandan to the sweet tang of pineapple and banana, their Fusion Collection even includes unexpected notes like blackcurrant and chrysanthemum. For those new to tuak, they offer tasting-sized bottles with detailed descriptions to guide your experience.
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Winepak Corporation has been in the liquor game since 1982, but its glitter-infused liqueur brand VISS, launched in 2016, is truly one-of-a-kind. With nine flavours such as Blush Blossom, Mojito, Forest Berries, and more, VISS offers something fun and flashy. But it’s more than just the glitter—the vodka-based liqueurs are made with a careful attention to taste and presentation.
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Reiss Tiara brings over two decades of family winemaking knowledge to her brand ReissJaden, launched in 2015. Specialising in preservative-free fruit wines made entirely from Malaysian produce, her lineup includes ginger, lemon, and pineapple variants, plus a coffee liqueur at 40% ABV. These wines are designed to pair beautifully with spicy local dishes.
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A true heritage brand, Tong Ah Distillery has been crafting rice wine since the early 1900s. Now run by the founder’s third-generation descendants, the distillery remains committed to handmade production and traditional methods. From hand-pasted labels to unique distillation processes, every bottle reflects the brand’s deep cultural roots and artisanal pride.
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Founded by ex-pastry chef Maynard Keyne Langet, this microbrewery specialises in glutinous rice-based tuak. With creative infusions ranging from pineapple to black pepper, Bad Cat delivers unexpected complexity and depth. Their standout is a smoked tuak where roasted rice yields a toasty, rich flavour that’s both bold and nuanced.
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Malaysia’s first independent bottler, Eiling Lim has been bottling spirits under her name since 2014. While her whiskies made waves, it’s her small-batch gins—distilled in Belgium but infused with Southeast Asian ingredients—that steal the show. With cheeky names like Gawky Galangal, Nasty Nangka, and Pandan Predator, her gins pack both flavour and personality, proudly showcasing Malaysian botanicals.