Kuala Lumpur, August – Hennessy MyWay 2026 concluded its Regional Finals with Ong Qin Yen of The Nest Cocktail Bar, Penang, and Hengie Arboleda of The Spirits Library, the Philippines, emerging as champions. Both mixologists will now head to France to represent their respective countries at the Global Finals.
Held at Astor Bar, The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, the competition brought together six of the region’s rising bartenders to craft unique serves that reflected their personal stories, cultural influences and creative perspectives, while demonstrating a thoughtful approach to sustainability.
Their creations were evaluated by an expert panel of judges comprising Jason Cheah, General Manager of Moët Hennessy Diageo Malaysia; Fabien Levieux, Global Brand Ambassador of Hennessy; Shawn Chong, Owner of Bar Mizukami; and Katelyn Tan, Dining and Travel Editor for Tatler Malaysia and Indonesia.
Malaysia champion, Ong Qin Yen, secured her victory with Tang in Silk. Driven by a zerowaste philosophy, she transformed underused parts of the salmon into an umami-rich syrup, harmonising its depth with Hennessy V.S.O.P, passion fruit, Sichuan pepper, and a velvety peanut cheese foam. Demonstrating her holistic approach, she paired the serve with a homemade salmon jerky canapé.
“Tang in Silk was inspired by one of my favourite dishes, Salmon Fish Soup, and the idea of looking at ingredients differently. Parts of the fish that are usually overlooked can become an unexpected source of flavour and texture when we take the time to explore them,” said Ong.
Representing the Philippines, Hengie Arboleda impressed the judges with Another Side, a cocktail crafted to encourage discovery beyond first impressions. At its centre is pinipig, a distinctly Filipino ingredient made from pounded, toasted glutinous rice. Blending it with Hennessy V.S.O.P, pear and Pineau des Charentes, he finished the drink with a pear and pinipig meringue, balancing bright acidity with natural sweetness.
“Another Side is about curiosity and seeing things from a different perspective. I wanted to bring an element of my culture into the drink while encouraging people to discover something new,” shared Arboleda.
Both champions will now join an international cohort of mixologists united by a shared passion for creativity, craftsmanship and innovation at the Global Finals in France, marking the next chapter of their Hennessy MyWay 2026 journey. More than a competition, Hennessy MyWay reflects Hennessy’s longstanding commitment to the global mixology community, creating a platform for bartenders to exchange ideas, celebrate their unique perspectives and inspire one another. As they take their place on the global stage, the champions will have the opportunity to connect with fellow bartenders from around the world, further develop their craft and continue pushing the boundaries of mixology.
