A Night of Heritage and Craftsmanship at Tong Ah Pengarakan Distillery
Last Tuesday, November 25th, brought 30 eager spirits (19 Explorers and 11 guests) to the Tong Ah Pengarakan Distillery for an unforgettable evening of discovery and tastings. For just RM60 per person, Explorer hosts Paul and Santhi Moine introduced the Tay cousins Chong Yoke and Jason, who helped orchestrate a masterclass in tradition—and a heartfelt thank you goes to Ming Goh and Annetta Gerard for arriving early and helped with collection.
The two-hour journey kicked off with a signature welcome cocktail that set the tone perfectly, followed by an invitation to explore tasting stations brimming with treasures: silky tuak, crisp gins, and expertly crafted cocktail mixes that tangled delightfully on the palate.
Once the group assembled, Chong Yoke and Jason—third-generation decedents of patriarchs Tay Chek Soo and Tay Chek Meng—transported us through 100 years of liquid history. Founded in the early 1900s the distillery remains a family-run sanctuary dedicated to resurrecting their grandfathers’ legendary status in the rice wine world. What sets them apart? Every, single, bottle is handcrafted—from the pouring to the labelling—by skilled distillers, many spanning two generations of expertise.
The production methods marry traditional Chinese techniques with post-WWII innovation, honouring an almost mystical approach to winemaking. Walking past equipment that looked like museum pieces reminded me that true craftsmanship transcends time; there’s something meditative about learning about work that demands patience, precision, and passion.
Tong Ah’s diverse portfolio spans three essential categories: drinking, cooking, and medicinal, a philosophy reflecting ancient wisdom.
Back at the food tasting hub, our senses were delighted by the inventive pairings of roasted pork infused with Tong Ah Loong San Sam Ching and tiramisu soaked in the enchanting spirit of Tong Ah Sam Cheng.
We also sampled the future: exciting new-generation releases including experimental gins, tuaks, langkau, and limited-edition blends that hint at Tong Ah’s evolving vision.
The Verdict – The tour was gloriously chaotic, infectiously joyful, and genuinely memorable—the kind of evening where conversations flowed as freely as the liquor, and where most of us left clutching bottles destined for festive celebrations ahead.
Review by Santhi Nair-Moine and Paul Moine
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For further details or enquiries, please contact RDA Malaysia directly.
