M’sian Craft Gin Wins Bronze at London Spirits Competition

By Danial Martinus  •  25 Apr 2025 in Drinks

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Gin Malaya, our very own homegrown craft gin, just clinched a Bronze medal at the 8th London Spirits Competition.

That’s right, out of all the spirits from around the world, this small-batch Malaysian gin stood tall among a number of other bronze medalists in London—the gin-drinking capital of the world.

Not just your average spirits competition

If you know a thing or two about spirits competitions, you’d know they usually lean into the sciencey bits—distillation precision, technique, and all that jazz that us normies are too unskilled to appreciate.

But this one’s different. The London Spirits Competition is all about the whole drinking experience—taste, yes, but also value and packaging.

It asks the real question: Would someone actually buy this off a shelf or a bar menu? And Gin Malaya passed that test with flying colours.

What makes it so special?

Well, Gin Malaya isn’t just another bottle with a fancy label. It’s a bold tribute to Southeast Asian flavours, crafted with love by Team Malaya—Paul, Eu Jin, and Deep, in collaboration with one of Scotland’s oldest gin distilleries.

That alone is impressive. The old world of Scottish gin craftsmanship blending with the wild, vibrant flavours of Malaysia. A partnership that spans continents, but speaks the same language of passion and precision.

The star of the bottle is pandan—that familiar, fragrant leaf found in everything from kuih to nasi lemak bungkus. It’s not a flavour you expect in a gin, but it works, with every sip giving a warm, nostalgic hit of home.

Bentong Ginger brings a zesty kick, and lemongrass adds a citrusy lift. These aren’t just botanicals, they’re staples of our kitchen shelves. Comforting, familiar, and bold.

And then comes the twist—the gin base itself is distilled from fresh, wild juniper berries, ethically foraged from 100-year-old bushes in the Scottish Highlands. It’s the kind of spirit you sip slow, preferably on the rocks, letting all those layers unfold.

Or, if you want to get creative, try it in a “Malaya Rock”, which is Gin Malaya with coconut water. One glass and you’re basically chilling at the beach somewhere on the east coast.

What’s exciting is that this is just the beginning. Team Malaya has more coming down the pipeline. Next up? Gin Malaya Kantan, made with Torch Ginger Flower, a staple in Peranakan cooking.

A taste of home, now award-winning

This win at the London Spirits Competition is proof that Malaysian-made spirits can stand alongside global giants and hold their own. It shows that with the right blend of tradition, innovation, and guts, we can create something truly world-class.

So here’s to Gin Malaya and to flavours that taste like home.

Follow Gin Malaya on Instagram.

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