Malaysia’s longest-running whisky and spirits tasting event celebrated its 11th edition with a terrific crowd at W Kuala Lumpur, bringing together hundreds of enthusiasts, dozens of international brands, and plenty of whisky, cocktails, great food, and good company.
WhiskyPLUS returned in mid-August for its 11th edition overall and eighth Kuala Lumpur edition, drawing a terrific crowd for another celebration of whisky, premium spirits, cocktails, food, and good company.
Malaysia’s biggest and longest-running whisky and spirits tasting event returned to Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, August 15 for its 11th edition overall – and eighth in the capital city – with this year’s event hosted at contemporary luxury hotel W Kuala Lumpur, right in the heart of KLCC.
The response was excellent, with VIP tickets selling out before event day, and hundreds of enthusiasts turning up over two dynamic sessions to explore an expansive line-up featuring dozens of brands from around the world.
Whisky was, naturally, the star of the show, with an impressive international selection spanning Scotch whiskies, American bourbons, and expressions from countries as diverse as Australia, Vietnam, China, and India. But WhiskyPLUS has long been about more than whisky, and visitors also had plenty of opportunities to discover premium gins, tequilas, mezcals, rums, cocktails, and even a new-to-market organic sugarcane-based vodka from North America.
The vodka also made a particularly well-received appearance in the VIP Lounge, where it was served chilled alongside three types of premium Frosista caviar. VIP guests could also enjoy American IPA and German wheat craft beers on tap, a curated buffet spread, and a popular oolong tea and gin-infused soft serve, as well, creating some distinctly different pairings for a whisky event.
Back at the main tasting hall, there were plenty of opportunities to take home something other than a bottle, too. Photobook created personalized memories for guests, and Kerrygold and Beemster cheeses were available from Bidfood for sampling and purchase, while Mister Coffee served made-to-order coffees throughout the event. Monin once again generously provided refreshing non-alcoholic drinks to give guests’ palates a nice reset, and Spritzer was on hand with plenty of ice-cold sparkling water. The popular Korean anti-hangover strip ORO Melts was ready for action, providing the instant-dissolving strips to guests to ward off any “morning after” effects of too much of a good thing!
The popular Collector’s Corners once again provided enthusiasts an opportunity to explore rare and interesting whiskies by the dram, while cocktails and tastings throughout the venue added to the variety. Cohiba Atmosphere was on hand again to tempt cigar enthusiasts with a marvellous range of hand-rolled Cuban and New World cigars, while MoTeaCo offered samples of their single-region Ceylon black teas, organic tisanes, and specialty oolongs.
WhiskyPLUS is organized each year by TEG Media, with Group Managing Editor Chad Merchant having served as the WhiskyPLUS Event Director since the event began, and he felt the 2026 event turnout was among the event’s most impressive over the years.
“Despite a very challenging year for the alcohol industry with a global slowdown in consumption and changing drinking patterns with younger consumers, WhiskyPLUS still provides a great time for all, and is one of the very best values in Malaysia when it comes to tasting, enjoying, and learning about whiskies and other premium spirits,” he said.
“We are grateful for the amazing support shown this year by our valued exhibitors and partners, and also by the hundreds of enthusiasts who came to W Kuala Lumpur to enjoy the country’s biggest and longest-running whisky and spirits tasting event.”
Special thanks go to this year’s partners and sponsors, including Monin, Spritzer, Cohiba Atmosphere, Beetle Box pizza ovens, MoTeaCo, ORO Melts, Bidfood, and House of Hops.
With another successful Kuala Lumpur edition in the books, WhiskyPLUS continues to demonstrate that there is a healthy appetite in Malaysia for discovering great whisky and spirits in a relaxed, social environment. And with Penang editions also forming part of the WhiskyPLUS calendar in some years, the event’s journey is showing no signs of slowing down.
WhiskyPLUS will be coming to Penang in late 2026! To learn more, visit whiskyplus.my.
