Gin Malaya Lands in East Malaysia with an Exclusive Masterclass at Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu An intimate exploration of the story, craft and flavours behind Malaysia’s award-winning gin.

Kota Kinabalu, 21 August 2026 — Gin Malaya, Malaysia’s first award-winning craft gin, made its first presentation in East Malaysia with an exclusive masterclass at the Rooftop Bar, Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu. The intimate evening brought together cocktails, conversation and discovery, introducing guests to the story and flavours behind the brand as Gin Malaya continues to build its presence across Malaysia.

Foong Eu Jin, Co-founder of Gin Malaya

Hosted by co-founder Eu Jin Foong, the evening explored the story behind Gin Malaya’s creation, from its use of Malaysian botanicals to the time-honoured distilling craft behind the spirit.

“Gin has traditionally been viewed through a very Western lens, so we started asking ourselves: what would a gin inspired by Malaysia taste like? We looked to the ingredients we grew up with and began exploring how we could translate them into a gin. Kota Kinabalu is an exciting next step for us as we continue building Gin Malaya across the country, and we’re looking forward to having more people in Sabah discover what we’ve created,” Eu Jin shared.

FAVSTYLE Media Magazine was privileged to participate in the evening, experiencing Gin Malaya’s distinctive approach to Malaysian-inspired gin alongside members of Sabah’s media and content community.

Through a guided tasting, guests experienced the distinctive character and craftsmanship behind the brand’s award-winning expression.

Guided by the philosophy of “Two Worlds. One Spirit.”, the session explored how time-honoured gin-making traditions find harmony with flavours that pay homage to Malaysia’s rich culinary landscape.

Gin Malaya Original brings together hand-foraged Highland juniper with lemongrass, pandan and Bentong ginger, creating a distinctly Malaysian expression while retaining the clarity and depth of a classic gin.

TThe evening continued with a curated selection of signature Gin Malaya cocktails, including Malaya Rock, The Torch, Cocotams, Pandan Malaya and Kantan Fizz. Together, the cocktails highlighted the versatility of Gin Malaya through a contemporary take on familiar Malaysian flavours.

During the masterclass, all attendees, including members of the media and KOL community, had the opportunity to experience the distinctive taste and flavor profiles of Gin Malaya first-hand. The tasting allowed guests to explore the character of the spirit and discover how familiar Malaysian ingredients can contribute to contemporary gin expressions.

MY KKCITY - Omar Willie

Sabah KOL Media Alliance - Belinda Willie

Favstyle Editor-in-chief Alfred Allen Ginsos and the founder of GO TAG Malaysia

Writer On-The-Go - Lorena Binisol

Foong Eu Jin, Co-founder of Gin Malaya

“At Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu, we take pride in curating experiences that inspire curiosity and a sense of discovery. This collaboration with Gin Malaya unites craftsmanship, creativity, and a contemporary perspective, offering our guests a distinctive way to enjoy an evening at Rooftop Bar. We are particularly honoured to be the first hotel in Sabah, and across Borneo, to feature Gin Malaya. Beyond the masterclass, we look forward to introducing a series of exclusive offerings centred around the brand, allowing guests the flexibility to experience Gin Malaya by the glass, through thoughtfully crafted cocktails, or via curated bottle selections,” shared Suresh Ramasamy, General Manager of Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu.

A Collection of Malaysian-Inspired Cocktails

The evening’s cocktail selection continued the Malaysian botanical theme with a collection of Gin Malaya creations built around familiar local flavors.

Gin Malaya’s signature cocktail collection will be available at the Rooftop Bar, Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu, where guests are invited to experience the collection through a curated cocktail menu showcasing Gin Malaya’s distinctive botanical character in every serve.

Venue: Rooftop Bar, Level 14, Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu

Address: Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Sinsuran, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Price: All cocktails are priced at RM46.00 nett.

Pandan Malaya

Pandan Malaya presented a beautifully colored shaken cocktail combining Gin Malaya Original, pandan syrup, smoked ginger syrup, aquafaba and butterfly pea syrup.

The creation offered a contemporary interpretation of familiar Malaysian flavors, balancing fragrance, color and texture in a polished cocktail presentation.

Malaya Rock

Malaya Rock took a more refreshing direction, bringing together Gin Malaya Original, pandan syrup and coconut water.

Its clean and thirst-quenching character made it an elegant choice for the tropical evening, allowing the pandan and coconut notes to remain distinctly expressive.

The Torch

For a more aromatic expression, The Torch showcased Gin Malaya Kantan with Campari, lemon juice and sugar syrup, complemented by egg white and the distinctive fragrance of kantan flower.

The cocktail offered a more layered profile, with the floral character of kantan providing its defining signature.

Cocotams

The tropical mood continued with Cocotams, a beach-inspired cocktail combining Gin Malaya Original, kaya puree, coconut cream, coconut syrup, Malibu and coconut water.

Bringing together creamy, tropical and aromatic elements, the drink presented a playful interpretation of flavors closely associated with Malaysia’s culinary landscape.

Kantan Fizz

Rounding out the selection was Kantan Fizz, a simple and refreshing combination of Gin Malaya Kantan, homemade kantan puree and soda.

Its restrained composition allowed the botanical character of kantan to remain at the center of the glass, offering a lighter expression to conclude the cocktail selection.

From Masterclass to Dinner

At 7:00 PM, the evening unfolded into an intimate dinner experience, where guests savored fine cuisine, engaging conversation and an appreciation for the artistry and distinctive character of locally inspired flavors.

The rooftop setting of Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu provided a sophisticated backdrop for the occasion, with the surrounding city atmosphere adding to the evening without overwhelming the experience.

As the masterclass gave way to dinner, the focus naturally shifted from understanding the spirit to enjoying it within a broader hospitality experience.

Representing the Media Community

The evening also brought together members of Sabah’s media and content community.

Representing the media community were:

Alfred Allen Ginsos, Editor-in-Chief, FAVSTYLE Media Magazine

Omar Willie, MY KKCity

Belinda Willie, Sabah KOL Media Alliance

Lorena Binisol, Writer On-The-Go

Their presence reflected the evening’s wider connection with Sabah’s lifestyle, food, beverage and content communities.

For FAVSTYLE Media Magazine, the occasion provided an opportunity to experience the Gin Malaya concept directly while engaging with fellow media personalities, KOLs and industry representatives.

The setting at Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu added another dimension to the occasion, providing an elegant hospitality environment in which the experience could unfold from afternoon masterclass into an intimate evening dinner.

About Gin Malaya

Gin Malaya is Malaysia’s first award-winning craft gin, founded on the belief that extraordinary spirits are born from the meeting of different worlds. Bringing together the heritage of Scottish distilling with the richness of Malaysian culture, the brand offers a distinctly Malaysian perspective on one of the world’s most celebrated spirits.

Developed over two years and launched in Malaysia in 2024, Gin Malaya was created to challenge the conventional perception of gin through flavours inspired by Malaysia’s rich culinary landscape.

The brand is available in both Malaysia and the United Kingdom, earning international recognition in 2025 with a one-star Great Taste Award, judged solely on taste through a blind-tasting process, and a Bronze Medal at the London Spirits Competition, which evaluates spirits across quality, value and packaging.

Beyond the spirit itself, Gin Malaya is guided by a commitment to ethical sourcing, ingredient traceability and authentic craftsmanship. Its distinctive bottle design draws inspiration from Malaysia’s flora, fauna and artistic heritage, celebrating the country’s vibrant identity through every detail.

Gin Malaya is founded on a simple belief: “Two Worlds. One Spirit.” It brings together different traditions, flavours and influences to create a gin that is distinctly its own.

Strictly for non-Muslims aged 21 and above only. Please drink responsibly.

Instagram: @gin_malaya

Website: ginmalaya.co.uk

Media Enquiries

De Silva Inc

Sharon Ng

Assistant Marketing Manager

Tel: +60 19-215 0113

Email: sharon@desilvainc.com

Christina Bruno

Senior Marketing Executive

Tel: +60 14-966 9579

Email: christina@desilvainc.com

FAVSTYLE MEDIA MAGAZINE LEADS KUALA LUMPUR FAM TRIP 2026 A Four-Day Media, Travel & Engagement Journey with MY KKCity, Sabah KOL Media Alliance and Kevin Claine Media & Arts

FAVSTYLE Media Magazine successfully completed its 08 to 11 August 2026 Kuala Lumpur Engagement & FAM Trip, bringing together a dynamic media entourage comprising MY KKCity, Sabah KOL Media Alliance and Kevin Claine Media & Arts.

Led by FAVSTYLE Media Magazine Editor-in-Chief Mr Alfred Allen Ginsos, the four-day journey brought together media coverage, destination exploration, content creation, networking, business engagement and magazine distribution across Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands.

Joining the journey were Mr Omar Dylan Willie of MY KKCity, Ms Belinda Willie of Sabah KOL Media Alliance, and Mr Kevin Claine Conrad of Kevin Claine Media & Arts.

DAY ONE: THE JOURNEY BEGINS

The journey officially began on 08 August 2026, as the team travelled from Sabah to Kuala Lumpur via AirAsia. The flight journey was smooth, setting the tone for an exciting four days ahead.

Upon arrival at KLIA2, the team immediately shifted into media mode, beginning content coverage from the airport before making their way towards the city.

For the journey from KLIA2 to Kuala Lumpur, the team opted for the KL Express, purchasing their tickets conveniently through the app. Thanks to the promotional fare, each ticket cost just RM45 per person, compared with the normal purchase price of RM55.

That meant an immediate saving of RM10 per person, a small but worthwhile win for a travelling media team managing time and expenses on the road.

The KL Express provided a direct and efficient connection to KL Sentral, from where the team continued their journey on foot towards NU Hotel @ KL Sentral.

CHECK-IN, THEN SPLIT INTO TWO DIRECTIONS

After arriving at the hotel, the team checked in at approximately 1.00 p.m. With limited time and plenty of ground to cover, the entourage divided into separate directions, allowing each media team to maximise its coverage.

Editor-in-Chief Alfred Allen Ginsos headed towards Chinatown, better known as Petaling Street, to explore and document one of Kuala Lumpur's most recognisable cultural and commercial districts.

His coverage focused on the atmosphere and character of Petaling Street, from its bustling market and extensive selection of gifts and merchandise to its food offerings, colourful streetscape and beautiful cultural and historical architecture.

For FAVSTYLE, the experience was more than simply visiting a tourist attraction. Petaling Street offered a rich visual and editorial canvas where heritage, commerce, food and contemporary city life came together in one energetic destination.

Meanwhile, MY KKCity's Omar Dylan Willie and Sabah KOL Media Alliance's Belinda Willie took their own route through Kuala Lumpur, visiting NU Sentral Mall, followed by major city destinations including KLCC and TRX.

Their journey provided a contrasting perspective of Kuala Lumpur, moving from the central transportation and retail hub into the city's modern commercial and lifestyle districts.

AN EVENING OF INSPIRATION

As evening arrived, the entire entourage reunited for an important event coverage assignment at Wanita Inspirasi National 2026, held at the Manhattan II Ballroom, Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

The event provided another valuable opportunity for the team to work collectively, capturing the atmosphere, personalities and highlights of the programme while connecting with fellow guests and participants.

For the FAVSTYLE team, event coverage forms an important part of its broader media mission, bringing together lifestyle, people, events and inspiring stories that resonate with its readers and audience.

The evening added another dimension to the FAM Trip, transforming the day from destination exploration into a full-scale media engagement experience.

Group Photo with the Wanita Inspirasi National 2026 - East Malaysia recipients

Favstyle team with Ms Teoh See See

Favstyle Team with Bella

From exploring Kuala Lumpur's cultural landmarks and modern city attractions during the day to covering a major inspirational event at night, the team continued to make every moment count.

DAY TWO: THE JOURNEY CONTINUES TO GENTING HIGHLANDS

On 09 August 2026, the FAVSTYLE Media Magazine FAM Trip continued beyond Kuala Lumpur as the team headed towards Genting Highlands, Pahang, for another day of travel, exploration and media engagement.

The team departed from KL Sentral at approximately 12.00 noon, taking an Aerobus coach towards the Genting Premium Outlet / Awana SkyWay bus station.

Genting Premium Outlet

The journey took approximately 45 minutes, providing the team with a comfortable and smooth ride towards the highlands.

Upon arrival, the team had some time before the scheduled 3.00 p.m. check-in at Genting SkyWorlds Hotel. Taking advantage of the available time, the entourage spent more than two hours exploring Genting Premium Outlets.

Ticket Station for Skyway Cable car

Being a weekend, the outlet was bustling with visitors, creating an energetic atmosphere throughout the shopping destination. The team explored the retail environment while capturing photographs and video content for the FAVSTYLE media journey.

A SKY-HIGH JOURNEY

From Genting Premium Outlets, the team continued upwards via the Awana SkyWay cable car, travelling towards First World Plaza.

The cable car journey took less than 13 minutes and became one of the memorable highlights of Day Two. As the team ascended through the mountain landscape, the journey offered spectacular views and an exciting perspective of Genting Highlands.

inside cable car from Genting Premium Outlet to Genting Highland

Group photo at Genting Premium Outlet

For the FAVSTYLE team, the ride became more than transportation. It was another opportunity to capture the scenery, atmosphere and experience of the destination through photographs and video.

CHECK-IN AND A WALK THROUGH GENTING

Upon reaching the top, the team proceeded to Genting SkyWorlds Hotel for check-in.

With the self-check-in facilities available, the process was convenient and allowed the team to settle in before beginning the evening's exploration.

Once everyone was ready, FAVSTYLE Media Magazine Editor-in-Chief Mr Alfred Allen Ginsos led the team on a walking exploration around the resort.

One of the first activities was registering the entire entourage for their complimentary Genting Rewards membership cards. The membership allows members to collect points through eligible spending and activities within the resort, giving the team another opportunity to experience Genting as both travellers and media guests.

Welcome to Skyworld Plaza

With the registration completed, the group continued exploring the resort on foot, taking in the sights, entertainment and vibrant atmosphere of Genting Highlands.

DINNER, NIGHTLIFE AND A DIFFERENT SIDE OF GENTING

As evening arrived, the team enjoyed a wonderful dinner together before continuing their exploration into the night.

The entourage also visited the SkyWorld Casino, experiencing a different side of Genting Highlands and documenting the atmosphere as part of the FAM Trip's travel content.

Genting Skyworld Indoor Theme Park - close at 9pm

Genting Skyworld Bar Street

The evening continued with a visit to Genting Street Bar and its rooftop, where the team captured more memorable moments through photographs and video.

From the mountain journey and cable car experience to shopping, resort exploration, dinner and nightlife, Day Two delivered another packed schedule for the FAVSTYLE media entourage.

Skyworld plaza rooftop

The day demonstrated the true spirit of the FAM Trip: travel became content, exploration became storytelling, and every destination became part of the FAVSTYLE media journey.

DAY THREE: BACK TO KUALA LUMPUR

On 10 August 2026, the FAVSTYLE Media Magazine FAM Trip entered its third day as the team checked out from Genting SkyWorlds Hotel and began the journey back down to Kuala Lumpur.

At Genting Skyworld Hotel Lobby

After completing the morning check-out, the team boarded a bus from Genting Highlands towards KL Sentral. The journey was smooth and comfortable, with the entourage arriving at approximately 2.30 p.m.

From KL Sentral, the team returned to NU Hotel @ KL Sentral, completing their check-in at approximately 3.00 p.m.

With the team settled back in Kuala Lumpur, there was little time to rest. Day Three quickly transformed into another packed exploration and media-content session.

EXPLORING KUALA LUMPUR'S RETAIL AND LIFESTYLE HUBS

The team travelled across several of Kuala Lumpur's prominent shopping, lifestyle and entertainment destinations, continuing the FAM Trip's mission of experiencing different sides of the capital city

One of the destinations was Mid Valley Megamall, one of Kuala Lumpur's major shopping and lifestyle destinations. The team explored the mall and surrounding areas, capturing the energy and atmosphere of the city while experiencing its vibrant retail culture.

Having lunch at Madam Kwan KLCC

The journey continued to The Gardens Mall, located within the same integrated lifestyle precinct. With its upscale retail environment, dining options and contemporary surroundings, The Gardens offered another perspective on Kuala Lumpur's modern lifestyle scene.

FROM TRX TO KLCC

The FAM Trip then continued towards Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), Kuala Lumpur's rapidly developing financial and lifestyle district.

The team explored the area and captured its modern architecture and urban environment, providing another strong visual element for FAVSTYLE's travel and lifestyle coverage.

TRX at nighttime

From TRX, the entourage continued to Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), one of the city's most recognisable destinations.

The iconic cityscape surrounding KLCC provided another opportunity for the media teams to create visual content while experiencing one of Kuala Lumpur's most prominent urban landmarks.

A BOOKSTORE STOP AT KINOKUNIYA

Among the day's highlights was a visit to Kinokuniya, one of the largest and most recognised bookstore chains in Kuala Lumpur.

For the FAVSTYLE team, this stop offered something different from the usual shopping and tourism itinerary. Surrounded by books, magazines, publications and international titles, the visit carried a special connection to the team's own publishing world.

Kinokuniya Bookstore KLCC

As a media and magazine team, exploring one of Kuala Lumpur's major bookstores created an interesting editorial moment, bringing together publishing, reading culture, lifestyle and media under one roof.

The team took the opportunity to explore the extensive selection while capturing memorable photographs and video footage.

ANOTHER FULL DAY OF DISCOVERY

Day Three demonstrated the versatility of the FAVSTYLE FAM Trip.

From the cool highlands of Genting Highlands in the morning to the bustling urban environment of Kuala Lumpur by afternoon and evening, the team experienced a significant change of scenery within a single day.

The journey through Mid Valley Megamall, The Gardens, TRX, KLCC and Kinokuniya added another layer to the team's understanding of Kuala Lumpur as a destination where retail, lifestyle, architecture, publishing and entertainment intersect.

Newest Favstyle Magazine Distribution Point - MDP at First World Hotel Starbucks outlet

With cameras rolling and content continuously being captured, the FAVSTYLE Media Magazine team continued transforming every stop into part of its broader travel and media storytelling journey.

Day Three was another reminder that the FAM Trip was not simply about travelling from one destination to another. It was about experiencing the city, discovering opportunities, creating content and building connections along the way.

EXPANDING FAVSTYLE'S KUALA LUMPUR DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

Beyond destination exploration, media coverage and event assignments, the FAVSTYLE Media Magazine team also used the FAM Trip as an important business and distribution development mission.

Throughout the four-day journey, the team took every opportunity to distribute printed copies of FAVSTYLE Magazine and engage potential new Magazine Distribution Points (MDPs) across the Kuala Lumpur market.

Oriental Kopi - TRX

The objective was clear: to strengthen FAVSTYLE's physical presence beyond Sabah and establish Kuala Lumpur as an important new distribution hub for the magazine.

During the FAM Trip and event coverage, FAVSTYLE Magazine copies were distributed and introduced at several strategic locations, including:Starbucks, Berjaya Times Square

Starbucks, First World Hotel, Genting Highlands

Starbucks, TRX

Oriental Kopi, TRX

Mid Valley

NU Sentral Mall

KLCC

NU Hotel @ KL Sentral

These visits allowed the FAVSTYLE team to present the magazine directly to potential partners and explore opportunities for establishing new Magazine Distribution Points (MDPs) within high-traffic commercial, hospitality, lifestyle and travel locations.

Favstyle Magazine newest Magazine Distribution Point - MDP. Nu Hotel@Sentral

For FAVSTYLE, distribution is more than simply placing a magazine on a shelf. Each MDP represents a new touchpoint between the publication and its readers, creating greater accessibility while strengthening the magazine's visibility within Malaysia's travel and lifestyle ecosystem.

The Kuala Lumpur FAM Trip therefore served a dual purpose: to experience and document the destination while simultaneously building FAVSTYLE's business and distribution network.

With every magazine distributed and every potential MDP engaged, the team returned from Kuala Lumpur with more than photographs, videos and memories. The journey also opened doors for new partnerships, new distribution opportunities and a stronger FAVSTYLE presence in the Kuala Lumpur market.

Favstyle Magazine Distribution

FROM SABAH TO KUALA LUMPUR

The 08 to 11 August 2026 journey ultimately became an important milestone for FAVSTYLE Media Magazine.

What began as a four-day FAM Trip evolved into a comprehensive media, travel, networking, content creation and business development mission.

Taking KL Express to KLIA2 - 28 min journey

Together with MY KKCity, Sabah KOL Media Alliance and Kevin Claine Media & Arts, FAVSTYLE demonstrated how a media journey can extend beyond conventional destination coverage.

From Petaling Street and Kuala Lumpur's urban landmarks to Genting Highlands, major shopping destinations, lifestyle hubs, events and hospitality venues, every stop became an opportunity to create stories, build relationships and introduce FAVSTYLE to new audiences.

KUL-BKI - Kota Kinabalu International Airport arrival hall

Most importantly, the trip marked another step towards FAVSTYLE's ambition to establish a stronger East Malaysia-to-Peninsular Malaysia media connection, with Kuala Lumpur positioned as an emerging distribution and engagement hub for the magazine.

The journey may have ended on 11 August, but the FAVSTYLE Kuala Lumpur chapter is only beginning.