THE WONDERFUL RACE 2023
Meet the champions
Woodford Reserve proudly draws the curtain on its inaugural year-long 2023 celebration, dedicated to honouring bartenders and the timeless elegance of the iconic Old-Fashioned cocktail with The Wonderful Race, culminating in the coronation of Ellen Xu, winner of The Wonderful Race China as the Grand Champion.
With an aura of eloquence and refined expertise garnered over years of mixological artistry, the grand final champion Ellen unveiled her ingenuity and masterful command of flavours, throughout the grand finals.
Alongside Xu, Raz Ng (Singapore), Yung Shen Koh (Malaysia), Kornnaran Mingsamdang (Thailand), and In Kyu Hwang (South Korea) have have exhibited their exquisite mastery and creativity, bringing to the table their stories through a spectacular array of Old Fashioned creations as Wonderful Race champions representing their countries.
All finalists went beyond boundaries as they presented their winning cocktails in the “Taste The Extraordinary” mission, showcased a unique cocktail statement blending bourbon traditions with their own heritage in the “World’s Best Show In Bourbon” mission, and concluded with an exceptional cocktail and food pairing in the “Flavour Wheel Gastronomy” mission.
Assessing the contenders’ creations with discerning eyes was a trio of esteemed judges: Holly Graham – lead mixologist and co-owner of Tokyo Confidential, journalist, and author of Cocktails of Asia, Christian Suzuki-Orellana – renowned American bartender and star of Netflix’s Drink Masters, and Colton Payne – Marketing Director of Brown-Forman Asia.
Join us in raising a glass to these extraordinary mixologists, whose dedication and passion continue to push the boundaries of flavor and innovation. Their creations exemplify Woodford Reserve’s unrivaled versatility and artistry, leaving an indelible mark on the world of mixology. Get ready for more excitement – stay tuned for the next Wonderful Race!
