Malaysian liquor brands
Liquor isn’t typically at the forefront of the food and dining scene in the country. But Malaysians being Malaysians, we do what we do best – and we’ve put our grit, creativity, and a whole lot of local kick into experimenting with alcoholic drinks, regardless of their local popularity.
The ball rolled, things quietly brewed, and today, we have a growing catalogue of innovative and proudly local homegrown spirits. Think age-old local staples dressed in a modernised packaging, Western booze infused with local flavours, and classic brews made traditionally.
We’re all for supporting local, so we put together this list of 10 Malaysian liquor brands that are worth the buzz.
Table of Contents
1. DUi Tuak
Image credit: @duituak via Instagram
A pour that speaks of tradition but tastes like tomorrow, DUi Tuak is essentially familial roots and heritage stories, sleekly bottled. Meaning “to drink tuak” in the Kayan language, the brand cleverly pays homage to its indigenous roots by producing handcrafted old-age tuak – or traditional rice wine – with elegant introduction of seasonal infusions such as roselle, Sarawak black pepper, and sugarcane.
Contact: DUI Tuak Instagram
2. Timah Whiskey
Image credit: @timahwhiskeyofficial via Instagram
The idea of a Malaysian whiskey brand that stands on the ranks of the world’s best seems almost improbable. But Timah Whiskey defies that belief. Its name – Malay for “tin” – is a nod to the country’s tin-mining boom, with the brand’s label featuring its helm, Captain Tristram Speedy, a British explorer who pacified the tin wars as an emblem of colonial history and a taste of adventure in the form of a good drink.
As the first Malaysian whiskey to win a silver medal at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2020 with its double-peated blended whiskey, Timah has flavour profiles that’ll dazzle – floral on the nose, subtly smoky on the palate with a light-oak finish like a soft peppery kiss.
Contact: Timah Whiskey website | Instagram
3. PaperKite
Image credit: @paperkitebeer via Instagram
Soaring high into the spirited skies of the craft beer scene in Malaysia is PaperKite. The relatively new alcohol brand born in 2022 has been making waves with a slew of international awards under its belt.
PaperKite offers four different beer styles, all which encapsulates the brand’s fearless and bold stance in the pursuit of breaking boundaries as well as still maintaining local colours – there’s the Pale Ale that’s light and citrusy, the more robust India Pale Ale, the caramel-drenched Copper Ale, and the gorgeously intense Oatmeal Stout.
Contact: PaperKite website | Instagram
4. ReissJaden
Image credit: @rj.global via Instagram
In our catalogue of homegrown liquor, we have something a little more gentle and classy: ReissJaden by Dato’ Reiss Tiara, a two-generation-strong family wine business with a vibrant collection of native fruit-forward flavours that make them intrinsically Malaysian.
Their fruit wines, such as Ginger, Pineapple, and Lemo,n bring forth familiar Malaysian spices and tropical abundance, but the standout would be the Coffee Liqueur, a dark amber indulgence so lush you can relish it on its own, or when swirled into your coffee beverage or cocoa dessert. Divine.
Contact: ReissJaden website | Instagram
5. Eiling Lim
Image credit: Eiling Lim via website
A proud pioneer of the Malaysian world of spirits, eponymous brand Eiling Lim first ventured into the scarce scene of local booze in 2014 as an independent whisky bottler. And as her whisky creations ignited buzz amongst the community, she eventually branched out to producing small-batch vermouth and gin.
While these are distilled overseas in Belgium, her creations remain unwaveringly authentic and Malaysian, the gin line infused with Southeast Asian flavours that speak of home, such as Pandan Predator, Nasty Nangka, and Gawky Galangal.
Contact: Eiling Lim’s website | Instagram
6. Tuak Atelier
Image credit: @tuak.atelier via Instagram
Tuak Atelier bottles a whole lot of other components in its exquisite packaging apart from the booze, and that includes cultural pride, social purpose, and deep-rooted tradition. Hailing from Sarawak and rooted in Iban brewing methods, these tuak wines have the complexities of a premium fine wine with exotic flavours such as the tangy Roselle, light-bodied Papaya, classic Rambutan, and the honeyed chrysanthemum Krisan.
The brand’s tuak is liquid gold – quite literally. Perfect for gifting, Tuak Atelier’s Premium Gold Series is the rice wine infused with pandan, ginger, serai, and edible gold flakes – you’ll want to flaunt them at dinner parties.
Contact: Tuak Atelier Instagram
7. Tong Ah
Image credit: @tong.ah.my via Instagram
Something of a handcrafted heritage, Tong Ah holds on to Malaysia’s spirited renaissance through its elixirs’ age-old recipes and distillation techniques that came about in the early 1900s in China, as well as the authentic flavours that have defined Malaysia throughout different periods and cultural shifts.
Their lineup of liquors are as Malaysian as they are inventive, with choices such as the citrusy Melaka Samsu that’s great in cocktails, Tong Ah Sam Ching that’s a white rice wine tinged with Chinese floral layers and fresh herbs, and the Double Unicorn Mei Kwei Lau you’ll want to pair with a hearty stew.
Contact: Tong Ah website | Instagram
8. Bad Cat Borneo
Image credit: @badcatborneo via Instagram
Another homegrown rice wine brand with lots of character, Bad Cat Borneo smashes the mold of tuak traditions with its bold collection of glutinous rice-based tuak. Customers rave about the brand’s adventurous flavours that mingle with the graciously soft rice-wine base, including the tropical tangs of Pineapple and Apple tuaks, the smoky Asap tuak, and the explosive Black Pepper tuak.
Contact: Bad Cat Borneo Instagram
9. VISS Vodka Liqueur
Image credit: @vissvodkaliqueur via Instagram
For a pour that pops and shimmers, reach out for glittering bottles of VISS Vodka Liqueur. Vodka liqueur has been around for a long time, but one that turns your drinks into a galaxy of stars? It’s every mixologist’s secret weapon to amp up a fun and flashy night, for sure.
With VISS, it isn’t only about the looks. Their vast list of flavours tempts customers to taste a variety of fruits with lineups including Blush Blossom that has whispers of sakuras, the wild medley of Forest Berries, a crisp Lime Sorbet, classic Mojito, and Mango Tango bringing in the tropical joy.
Contact: VISS Vodka Liqueur website | Instagram
10. Haus of Lihing
Image credit: @vissvodkaliqueur via Instagram
Haus of Lihing makes no ordinary tipple. Refined tapai – also known as lihing – is born from glutinous rice, lovingly fermented over weeks and coaxing out an amber-hued translucent wine tinged with natural sweetness.
The varietals introduced by the brand into this aromatic elixir create their bottled range, which includes localized flavours such as ginger, cinnamon, ginseng, tongkat ali, and kacip Fatimah. At the premium edge sits Vagas, a fully matured rice wine with hints of plum, pepper notes, and Riesling.
Contact: Haus of Lihing Instagram
Bottoms up to Malaysian liquor brands that’ll lift your spirits
From lush tuak and award-winning whisky to galactic vodka liqueurs, the Malaysian booze scene is definitely stirring things up with its arsenal of homegrown brews and heady sips. If you’re browsing for a bottle to pop or pour to impress, perhaps skip the Scotch whisky and French champagne, and reach for any from this list – cheers to some local pride.
It goes without saying – drink responsibly and stay safe.
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Cover image adapted from: @duituak via Instagram, @timahwhiskeyofficial via Instagram, @vissvodkaliqueur via Instagram & @paperkitebeer via Instagram