After a long, two-year wait, Malaysia’s biggest whisky show returns on December 11… and is likely to sell out by the end of this week.

Nothing is quite the same now as it was in 2019, and events are no different. Though gatherings are once again taking place, a lot more thought now goes into their planning. WhiskyPLUS is pleased to announce that with full compliance with all SOPs for Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan in Malaysia, the country’s premier whisky and spirits tasting event is back for its fourth edition, and the magic date is nearly here!

With two sessions set for December 11 and held once again at the luxurious Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Managed by Banyan Tree, WhiskyPLUS will see more than 60 brands of whisky and other spirits from around the world exhibited for attendees to explore, taste, and discover.

Whisky aficionados will be delighted to see plenty of smaller labels and lesser-known distilleries alongside major industry players and old favourites. For WhiskyPLUS 2021, we’re also looking at nearly a dozen brands from independent bottlers, a new record for the show.

Guests will want to take advantage of the excellent prices offered by exhibitors for bottles to take home or for gifting. With the festive season coming up – covering Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year all in a little over a month’s time – it’s a great opportunity and great timing, too!

SAFETY AND HYGIENE

WhiskyPLUS is always capacity-controlled to avoid crowds and ensure the comfort of guests, but this year, that policy also lends itself to a safer event. All attendees must be fully vaccinated in accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines, undergo MySejahtera screening and temperature checks prior to entering the venue, and the attendance for each session is capped at 50% of the venue’s capacity.

WhiskyPLUS also requires face masks to be worn for entrance, and urges their continued use when not eating or drinking. For the event, we recommend KF94 or KN95 disposable masks rather than cloth masks or disposable surgical-style masks, both for ease of breathing and increased effectiveness. WhiskyPLUS will have a supply of KF94 masks available at no charge for any attendees who may need one. There will be hand sanitising stations throughout the venue, and guests are also advised to take a break every hour or so and wash their hands thoroughly in the washroom, particularly before eating.

Guests are also reminded to be mindful of physical distancing and to be respectful of others’ personal space – and their comfort level – whenever interacting.

As part of its ‘Safe Sanctuary’ initiative, Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Managed by Banyan Tree has partnered with global standards leader Bureau Veritas in response to the pandemic to co-develop a full suite of health and safety protocols, providing an extra layer of assurance and confidence to all guests. To learn more about the initiative, click here.

Though not mandatory or required for entry, WhiskyPLUS recommends and encourages the use of rapid antigen Covid-19 self-tests for guests before coming to the event. The test kits are easy, inexpensive, and readily available, and it’s a small step to take for increased peace of mind.

SPECIAL PERKS

All guests will receive a WhiskyPLUS 2021 Glencairn-style tasting glass (theirs to keep), a voucher for a set meal of their choice, and access to the Pavilion Ballroom, nearly 7,000 square feet of beautiful open space, offering unlimited tasting from a choice of dozens and dozens of different spirits.

WhiskyPLUS VIP guests, meanwhile, will also enjoy exclusive access to the sprawling, 2,900-square-foot Premier VIP Lounge, taken over by the chaps of William Grant & Sons. Here, guests will be able to indulge on a whisky journey, learning about and savouring two of Scotland’s most iconic single malt brands, Glenfiddich and The Balvenie, and enjoying cocktails, whiskies, extra food, guided tastings, and more.

Once more, the popular WhiskyPLUS Collector’s Corner will offer a stunning range of old and rare whiskies, poured and priced by the dram. It’s a supremely uncommon experience to see such prestigious bottles offered by the single serving! To indulge in the Collector’s Corner experience, or to attend any of the short micro-masterclasses that will be available, purchase tokens in RM20 increments from the WhiskyPLUS registration counter.

For anyone who wants to turn their whisky tasting experience into a weekend getaway at the hotel, they can stay comfortably and conveniently overnight following WhiskyPLUS… right at the venue! Pavilion Hotel is offering a rate of RM358 nett which includes breakfast for two. If you don’t need breakfast, or just want to try your luck, Agoda typically has good rates, though they change regularly. They also periodically offer special discount codes which are automatically applied, so it certainly doesn’t hurt to check. If you want to book direct with the hotel, just CLICK HERE and enter the promo code ‘WHISKYPLUS‘ when navigating their booking system.

Finally, for the first time, after the main event, the fun is being extended with The WhiskyPLUS Afterparty Powered by Dewar’s @ The Cove. Set in the hotel’s comfortable whisky and cigar lounge, The Cove – just steps away from the main venue – the afterparty will kick off at 9pm and really get going around 10pm, when the second WhiskyPLUS session ends.

Powered by Dewar’s, the afterparty will feature all of the fine whisky labels in their portfolio on an ‘open bar’ basis – of course, a range of popular Dewar’s expressions, but also single malts Aberfeldy, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla, and Aultmore.

Live entertainment will be provided by the incredibly talented guitarist and vocal artist Gerard Singh, the first Malaysian artist from a Malaysian label to break through on America’s Billboard Top 100 music chart!

The Afterparty Powered by Dewar’s is exclusive, and sure to be a hot ticket. In addition to invited guests, a handful of general tickets are being made available, as well. Entry is RM100, and can be purchased in advance (contact [email protected] to make arrangements) or at the WhiskyPLUS Registration Counter at the event.

In addition to the free-flow cocktails and whiskies, which are included in the afterparty entry price, a selection of food and fine hand-rolled cigars will also be available for purchase.

For guests who’d like to bundle the afterparty with an indulgent stay at Pavilion Hotel, the offer is extended at just RM450 nett. Contact WhiskyPLUS for booking information, or to inquire about booking the package for two.

All guests will be able to enter a lucky draw at each event session, with the winner receiving a brand-new Apple iPad, generously sponsored by Bluestar AMG, one of the WhiskyPLUS partners.

And that’s not all! In addition to a terrific range of whiskies to taste and enjoy, there are more giveaways, prizes, samplings, lucky draws, and lots of good times to be had. After all, it’s right there in the name: It’s Whisky… PLUS!

Tickets for WhiskyPLUS are almost sold out, so get yours at www.whiskyplus.my before it’s too late. Online ticket sales will be discontinued at 8:00pm on Monday, December 6, 2021, or when all available passes have been sold out, whichever comes first.

Always favouring quality over quantity, WhiskyPLUS encourages and promotes responsible drinking and moderation for all guests. Don’t drink and drive.

WhiskyPLUS is open to non-Muslims age 21 and above. For full terms and conditions of the event, CLICK HERE.