Besides autumnal colours and growing out moustaches, November is regarded as Old Fashioned Month in the world of cocktails. Woodford Reserve, purveyors of the finest bourbons, reprises the second edition of The Wonderful Race and invites cocktail lovers and connoisseurs alike to raise a glass to celebrate Old Fashioned Month.

A Modern Twist on a Classic: The Wonderful Race

The headlining The Wonderful Race challenges bartenders from Singapore’s trendiest nightspots to create a time-honoured Old Fashioned in the spirit of this year’s theme, The New-Age Old Fashioned. From locally inspired ingredients to inventive techniques, the bartenders have crafted signature recipes that pay homage to the cocktail’s roots while showcasing the distinct flavour profile of Woodford Reserve. Beyond that, the Woodford Reserve aims to further elevate Singapore’s already-vibrant cocktail scene, which saw 11 bars inducted into the 2024 edition of Asia’s 50 best bars.

The 10 finalists were handpicked from Singapore’s vibrant bar scene for their creativity and mastery of the craft. Among those are cocktails that creatively bridge tradition with personal stories and cultural nods.

Oliver Lee from Stay Gold Flamingo offers Paragon, a drink that channels Kentucky’s essence through walnut-infused Woodford Reserve, cacao nibs, and burnt honey syrup. The drink’s smoky applewood garnish evokes regional warmth, inviting guests to savour a sip of Kentucky’s heritage.

At retro-futuristic Night Hawk, Samuel Pang presents Crafter’s Gamble, a bold fusion of East and West that blends Woodford Reserve with soy sauce and hints of dark, savoury depth. With a soy-painted rice cracker garnish, Pang’s creation adds an unconventional touch that aligns with Woodford Reserve’s versatility and Night Hawk’s edgy style.

Finally, former head bartender of Potato Head and now assistant bar manager at Sushi Samba Singapore, Daniel Fong draws from his hospitality roots to create a unique twist on the Old Fashioned. Inspired by the harmonious fusion of cultures at Sushi Samba, The Melo Wood combines Woodford Reserve with Japanese melon, plum umeshu reduction, and samba spices, topped with bell pepper salt. This cocktail is a celebration of tradition and innovation, embodying Sushi Samba’s blend of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian flavours in a glass.

Amongst them was the star of the show, Kelvin Saquilayan from Republic Bar, who emerged as the 2024 winner with his signature creations, Heritage and Umm-mama Mia. With the showdown set at Side Door at Neil Road, Kelvin’s journey to the top was marked by a surprise twist in the second round, where he skillfully adapted to the mystery theme, Umami Wildwood. His winning cocktail, Umm-mama Mia, featured a blend of Hojicha tea leaves, roasted pine, maple syrup, and beetroot — a nod to umami flavours that layered beautifully with Woodford Reserve Rye. The drink’s balanced complexity and harmonious notes earned high praise from the judges for pushing the boundaries of a traditional Old Fashioned while staying true to its core elements.

The competition was fierce, with the top five finalists advancing to a live showdown, impressing a panel of industry experts, including Colton Payne, Asia Marketing Director at Brown-Forman, and Odd Strandbakken, Head Bartender at Charles H in Seoul. Each participant brought their A-game, with cocktails that reflected their mastery and creativity, making the final decision a tough call for the judges.

Among the finalists who made a significant impact were bartenders from renowned Singapore bars like NOST, KOMYUNITI, Analogue Initiative, and Bar Bon Funk. Utt Asad Isnin of KOMYUNITI captivated the audience with The Afternoon Teh, a clever take on local tea culture infused with Woodford Reserve, blending tea-infused syrup with bitters for a refreshing twist. Vyna Danny from Analogue Initiative impressed with Huminodun, a cocktail inspired by folklore, merging indigenous ingredients with the rich, spicy undertones of bourbon to create a story-driven drink that resonates with her cultural roots.

As the newly crowned champion, Kelvin Saquilayan is set to embark on an extraordinary journey to the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. This immersive experience will offer him a deep dive into the world of bourbon craftsmanship, providing invaluable insights and inspiration that he will undoubtedly bring back to Singapore’s cocktail scene.

Experience classic and new-age Old Fashioned at the 10 mentioned bars this November. Alternatively, purchase a bottle of Woodford Reserve Bourbon at Malt Wine Asia or Brown Forman. Please drink responsibly.

Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our October 2024 issue.