GinRunMe, the nation's premier annual festival dedicated to gin and rum, will soon kick off its third installation with a nine-week collaboration line-up. Lucky us, we have yet another thing to look forward to as the pandemic rages on!
The festival will adopt a new format, featuring a one brand, one outlet approach starting this coming Sept 26 (Saturday) with a Hyde at 53M x Tanqueray No. Ten alliance from 5 pm onwards.
Those keen to partake in the festival's activities this year at home can also do so with one of the Grab.Relax.Minum masterclass boxes (RM120), with eight variations each dedicated to a particular bar and their partner of choice. Each pack contains three tasters from a brand in different expressions, to be tasted neat if you so wish, along with a GinRumMe tulip glass and instructions.
Tickets to masterclasses, such as a Mexican mezcal tasting afternoon, can also be bought here.
Gin and rum brands on board for this year's festival include:
Caorunn Gin
Edinburgh Gin Liqueurs
No. 3 London Dry Gin
Poor Toms Gin
Tanqueray No.Ten
Von Halers Gin
Whitley Neill Gin
Bacardi Rum
Mount Gay Rum
As previously mentioned, there's a new spirit category (mezcal) this year, with the Koch El brand leading the charge. Fentimans, the botanically-brewed tonic and soda water maker, continues its partnership with GinRumMe for 2020 as well.
The Full Line-Up
Week 1: Hyde x Tanqueray No. Ten
Event: Gin and Jazz 26 Sep (Saturday), 5 pm onwards
Travel back to the roaring 20s and be part of the era when flappers and bootleggers gather for jazz and gin cocktails. Breathe in the exhilarating scent of grapefruit citrus from a G&T made with Tanqueray No. Ten.
Week 2: Joloko x Koch El Mezcal
Event: Mexican Afternoon 3rd Oct (Saturday), 2 pm – 6 pm
The non-gin non-rum spirit category this year is mezcal, which can only be produced in Mexico. GinRumMe will partner with Koch El, the pioneer of single agave blends, and Joloko, the Afro-Caribbean restaurant that houses the widest selection of this unique spirit.
Week 3: Pahit x Whitley Neill Gin
Event: Gin and Keralan Food 10th Oct (Saturday), 2 pm – 6 pm
Pahit is introducing a pairing of Whitley Neill gin and Keralan food by looping in Chef Prakash into the collaboration. Contemporary Keralan bites will be presented at a casual pairing with the handcrafted gin founded by the 8th generation of a distilling family.
Week 4: JungleBird KL x Mount Gay Rum
Event: Caribbean afternoon 18th Oct (Sunday), 4 pm – 6 pm
In conjunction with Mount Gay Rum’s brand relaunch, Rumah Rum JungleBird KL is hosting a masterclass and Caribbean-themed food menu with local touches. You can expect to taste the Malaysian classic Jungle Bird in all its glory here.
Week 5: Wildflowers x Edinburgh Gin
Event: Afternoon Tea 25th Oct (Sunday), 2 pm – 5 pm
Celebrate low abv cocktails that emphasise and showcase the delicate flavours from botanicals with elegant Edinburgh Gin liqueurs. Pastries and desserts by Adrian Pereira, head chef of Wildflowers, who has recently returned from several stints in numerous high-end Singaporean hotels.
Week 6: Three X Co x Bacardi 8 Rum
Cocktail Making Workshop
31st Oct (Saturday), 2 pm – 5 pm
Show off your newly acquired skill in cocktail-making for a Halloween party you may be planning to host. Learn how to shake and stir in the workshop guided by TWO award-winning bartenders with Three x Co David Hans and Bacardi Trade Ambassador Jonas Ax.
Week 7: Skullduggery x No. 3 London Dry Gin
Event: Kingsman, Welcome To The Club 7th Nov (Saturday), 6 pm – 8 pm
As a continuation to the launch of The Kingsman Edition No. 3 London Dry Gin in Malaysia, Skullduggery will play host in this GinRumMe edition for a small competition among The Kingsman Clubs that will be formed on the event day.
Week 8: Jann @ Four Points Chinatown x Caorunn Gin
Event: BBQ by the Pool & G&T workshop 15th Nov (Sunday), 2 pm – 5 pm
Chill on the deck of Four Points’ 7th floor poolside bar Jann overlooking the stunning old city of Kuala Lumpur. Cocktail maestro Kelvin Lee will be hosting a workshop on G&T with Caorunn Gin, giving tips on nailing the best combinations with any gins and tonics.
Week 9: Ipoh Two-Day Event: 20th – 21st Nov (Friday & Saturday)
Head up north for a short weekend in tin mine town, sip gins and dine with fun vibes.
Friday
Ramen set lunch for two days with gin highball at Mad Ramen and a dinner pairing at Asip
Saturday Gin bar hop around Ipoh town