With the pandemic in full swing in mid-2020, we had to cancel the initially scheduled June 27, 2020 event, but we were hoping to have a modified version at the end of November. However, a fresh surge of Covid-19 cases and various government-enacted closures and new SOPs in October made it clear that no large-scale events would be possible for the remainder of the year, so we turned to 2021, and held an SOP-compliant event on December 11, 2021, at Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur Managed by Banyan Tree. The event was a huge success, and shortly after the calendar turned to 2022, we began looking at possible dates and venues for a big 2022 KL event.

WhiskyPLUS is Malaysia’s premier whisky and spirits show. Following two successful years in Kuala Lumpur, there was enough interest to take the event to Penang, too! And after a long Covid delay, the biggest whisky show in Malaysia returned at the very end of 2021, and we’ll be holding the fifth overall edition in November 2022.

Our aim is to spread the love and appreciation for quality whisky and other spirits by allowing guests to learn about and taste a wide range at a single, special event. WhiskyPLUS is held in a premium venue, and we limit the number of passes sold to ensure guests have a great experience without feeling jam-packed at every turn!

The PLUS refers to a few non-whisky offerings, specially chosen to allow boutique bottlers and craft distillers of other spirits to showcase their handiwork to enthusiasts like you! There will also be an outstanding range of Cuban and non-Cuban cigars on offer, plus the chance to talk with industry pros and insiders, too. Guests will also have a selection of cocktails and mocktails to sample between their whisky drams.

In order to allow more people to enjoy WhiskyPLUS, we chose to split a full day into two different sessions with fewer passes available for each session, rather than just having one long session with more passes. Not only does this help ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable experience, it also lets guests choose the time that best suits them.

For those who perhaps want to be introduced to whiskies or enjoy a casual yet comprehensive tasting session by day, our afternoon session is ideal. The afternoon sessions tend to be attended by more connoisseurs and enthusiasts, perhaps to ensure they get a chance to try some of the more coveted drams before they run out. (Spoiler alert: very few whiskies actually run out during the event!) The next session, on the other hand, will run in the evening and may offer a slightly different selection, but apart from that – and darker skies outside –  the sessions will be much the same.

That’s fine by us, though we can’t say we really recommend it! But if you wish to buy passes to each session, you are of course welcome to do so. Kindly note, however, that the venue itself will be cleared and closed between the two sessions for cleaning, restocking, and general tidying up.

If there is any capacity remaining, we will likely sell some “Whisky Explorer” passes at the door. These lower-priced passes allow a shorter experience (two hours), and do not include a meal box. Only a tasting glass will be included with entry, which may be taken home. These passes, if made available, will be very limited in number, and will only be announced a week before the event. With that in mind, entry passes are best purchased in advance.

Kindly note that if any passes remain, ONLINE SALES WILL BE DISCONTINUED THREE TO FIVE DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT. We will note this prominently at the top of the website in the days immediately prior to sales being stopped. If the event sells out prior to this, online sales will be discontinued at that time.

Much like the 2021 event, we have made the decision that WhiskyPLUS 2022 will be open to fully vaccinated individuals only. This will ensure not only maximum safety, but will help everyone have a more relaxed and enjoyable time, as well.

Though we will follow government-set guidelines and mandates in place at the time of the event, we assume that even if face masks are required for entry to the venue, their continued use during the tasting event will not be mandatory. This is subject to change based on government rules and the best medical advice at the time.

We also encourage guests who have any doubts to take a simple rapid antigen test immediately prior to coming to WhiskyPLUS. It’s fast, inexpensive, and will give you peace of mind. For anyone testing positive, obviously do not come to the event, but let us know, and we’ll ensure your pass will be valid for the next WhiskyPLUS, with no top-up required if prices increase.

Strictly speaking, nope. Come casual, come smart, we don’t really care. We would probably suggest not showing up in a singlet and flip-flops, but we don’t have a specific dress code. We want you to be comfortable and have a good time!

No. WhiskyPLUS is all about whisky and distilled spirits only. You will find a handful of special offerings of gin, rum, or vodka, for example, but there won’t be any wines or beers!

Check the pricing page for all the packages and passes which are currently available. Prices will be posted when passes are made available for sale, typically six to seven weeks before the event. As specific packages or passes sell out, we will remove them as options. For large groups (11 or more), please contact us directly for additional discounts.

Yes, for guests with a Standard or VIP pass, a voucher for a set meal box is included in your entry fee. For guests choosing the shorter-session Whisky Explorer pass, food is not included, but is made available for purchase.

This year, there will be multiple VIP Lounges, and these are only for guests holding the Black VIP pass. The actual premium whiskies will be poured for sampling at the exhibitor’s booths in the main tasting room (the VIP-only bottles will be on a special mat at each exhibitor’s booth for easy identification), but VIP pass holders can access the lounge areas at any time for greater comfort and relaxation.

Kindly note that the number of VIP passes for each session is very limited and there are no multi-pass packages available for this tier.

Those who purchase a VIP pass will receive 12 punches on a card which can be redeemed for pours from the special VIP-only range of whiskies at exhibitor booths. Each pour will require either one or two punches, so you’ll enjoy up to 12 pours of premium-range whisky (in addition to the unlimited tastings from the rest of the range). These top-shelf whiskies would carry a hefty price tag in any bar serving them, so even though it’s not free-flow, the VIP pass offers you enough premium drams to be a superb value.

Absolutely! Though not every whisky offered for sampling can be purchased, a wide range of them will be made available for take-home purchase at the event at very attractive promotional prices. In fact, some bottles are only available for purchase. We do ask that guests not open their purchased bottles at the event, however.

In order to discourage driving after drinking, we have chosen a venue easily accessible via public transportation and one which offers easy access by Grab or taxi, too. If you do choose to drive, parking at the venue is offered at an inexpensive, flat rate of RM7 (with validation).

We definitely recommend not self-driving, though, so take Grab, have a friend pick you up, or even stay overnight at the hotel following the event!

We are working with many brand owners, importers, and distributors from Malaysia and across the region to once again bring in a significant number of whisky brands (and various expressions of those brands). As more and more exhibitors are confirmed, these will be updated and noted on our website, so be sure to check back as we get closer to the event. Though we have not yet finalised the full list of brands on offer, you may rest assured there will be dozens to choose from, and as always, our hope is that you’ll be introduced to some new labels and expressions of whisky that you’ve never tried before.

Generally speaking, no. We expect a strong response to this event, and ticket sales will be limited, so in order to be fair and to ensure a quality experience, we have to plan based on the number of passes available for each session. So once the passes are sold, they’re not refundable. We’re also not keen for transfers since we don’t want anyone buying blocks of passes and then reselling them. Measures will be implemented to ensure passes are used only by those who purchase them and strict limits will apply for each purchase.

Transfers for urgent circumstances can be considered on a case-by-case basis, as we have done in the past. Just contact us, we’re always happy to help.

If the event has to be rescheduled due to any reasons beyond control, your purchase is guaranteed to be fully applied to the rescheduled date.

Well, it depends. We’re all human, and we understand that things change, so if you buy a pass for one session and later decide you want to come to the other one, just let us know – our info is on the contact page – and we’ll certainly see what we can do for you. If there are spaces available, we’ll help transfer your pass from one session to another. The transfer must be in the same tier (i.e., either Standard or VIP), and you must pay the difference if going from Session One to Session Two. If you’re moving from Session Two to Session One, however, you will not be eligible for a refund of the difference.

Basically, the same conditions apply. Just contact us ASAP, and if there are still passes available for the VIP tier in the session you wish to attend, we’ll be happy to let you upgrade for the difference in price.

You can’t, so please, please don’t try! With dozens of brands being exhibited, many of which offer numerous expressions, trying to sample even a small amount of every one of them would be a big mistake! Take your time, talk to the exhibitors, learn about their products, and enjoy the whiskies you find most interesting. Remember that this is a tasting event rather than a drinking event!

For guests who have attended WhiskyPLUS before, you know how the show runs. But if you’ve never been to a big whisky event like this, you’re in for a real treat. However, to make things run smoothly, there are things guests need to know, and of course a few rules and guidelines that need to be followed to ensure it’s a good time for everyone. So here’s the deal:

We encourage and expect responsible drinking! This is an event designed to let you taste a wide range of whiskies and other spirits, quite a few of which will hopefully be new to you. Tasting pours will vary, but most will be around 12-15mL. The number of pours you may enjoy during the session is not fixed, so if you like a particular label, you can return for more, but please don’t ask the exhibitors to top up your glass or “Make it a double!” or anything like that.

Booths and tables will be staffed by people who know about the products they’re pouring, so please ask questions and let them share their knowledge!

Stay hydrated! This is the most important aspect of any whisky event – and often the most overlooked. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the session. We will have water dispensers placed all around the venue for you to drink from. This also allows you to rinse your glass! Each table or booth will also be stocked with quality mineral water for you to add to your whisky if desired. For most whiskies, a few drops of water really helps to ‘open up’ the spirit, tame the alcohol burn somewhat, and release more of the whisky’s character.

A selection of food boxes (choose from Western or Asian sets) will be made available during each session and we encourage you to enjoy what’s on offer at your leisure. Every guest will receive a meal voucher, which can be redeemed for a set meal at various times during the session. In the interest of smart drinking, we also encourage you to eat something prior to arrival at the event so that you’re not adding whisky to an empty stomach!

Upon entry, you’ll be given a special Glencairn-style whisky glass, clean and ready to use for your tasting session, and the glass is yours to keep after the event. We’ll also even throw in a handy whisky glass holder lanyard so you can “wear” your glass around your neck when not tasting, and keep your hands free! If you’d like a second glass to complete a paired set, we will have a limited number of those available for only RM15 each (or a set of four for RM50).

Finally, be sure to know your limit (and observe it) and behave yourself! This is a whisky appreciation event, not a frat party, so while we want everyone to have a great time and enjoy the fine spirits on offer, anyone causing problems, creating a spectacle, or generally not minding their manners will be subject to a proper scolding from security, up to and including removal from the venue without refund or compensation. Violators may also be blacklisted from future WhiskyPLUS events.

You’ll also need to be mindful of any possible Covid-related SOPs which will be well-communicated before and at the event. Security, event, and venue staff will be on hand to remind anyone of these measures as necessary. Anyone repeatedly flouting required safety measures will be removed from the event.

Don’t bring in any booze of your own. We’ll have plenty for you, trust us! Also, if you buy a bottle (or two) while at WhiskyPLUS, these must not be opened at the event. Guests are also not permitted to remove alcoholic beverages from the event venue, except for any sealed bottles which have been purchased.

Smoking is not permitted at WhiskyPLUS, except in specific areas which have been designated by the venue’s management.

The last pour for Session One will be at 4:20pm, 10 minutes before the session ends. The venue will be cleared and closed following the end of Session One (which is at 4:30pm) to prepare for Session Two. The last pour for Session Two will be at 9:50pm, 10 minutes before the session ends. The event will conclude and the venue cleared by 10:30pm. Last pour times are strict, and no ‘last call’ announcements will be made.

VIP passes will entitle the holder to unlimited tastings of all the standard-range whiskies offered, plus a 12-punch card to redeem for premium whiskies, which will be offered by most exhibitors. Depending on the level of these special whiskies, each pour will require either one or two punches. Most will be only one punch, so this gives VIP guests plenty of premium labels to try. VIP pass holders will also enjoy early entry to the main tasting hall, access to the exclusive VIP Lounges, and a special goodie bag filled with cash vouchers and other treats to take home, as well.