Tong Ah Pengarakan's 1st Distillery Tour: Reintroducing our heritage to a new generation of Malaysians one visit at a time
This 2024 was an exciting year for us, we not only launched our website for ecommerce sales for the first time in Tong Ah history but we also organised our first (of many) distillery tour, right here in the heart of Petaling Jaya. It was an exciting day as Tong Ah Pengarakan collaborated with local boozy influencer, Mickey from Yam Zau Kaki (@/yamzau.kaki on Instagram) to host such a remarkable event. Here's a look back at this unforgettable day.
An afternoon delight: A boozy kick off with entrepreneurs, alcohol connoisseurs and influencers
Date: 23rd August 2024
Time: 2:30pm
Location: Tong Ah Pengarakan in Petaling Jaya
We kicked off the afternoon by having a short introductory session between entrepreneurs and influencers from all different walks of life with a main common ground: the curiosity towards a locally distilled rice wine company and its origins. Our distillery was transformed completely, the loading bay welcomes its guests with an array of local roast meats and the Tong Ah products proudly displayed accompanied by the chatter of excited attendees while you hear a low hum of the distillery going on about its day in the background.
A word from the third Tay generation
To begin the tour, Jason and Chong Yoke, third generation members of the Tay family gives us a brief introduction of Tong Ah Pengarakan and how they strive to maintain their heritage. Proudly donned in the company's colour (bright red), they share the history and their stories of this iconic distillery.
Rice-ing to the occasion: Our first tour officially starts!
Guided past the large red doors, the attendees are now on bonded premises, where magic is distilled into bottles. Leading the tour, Jason shares every aspect of the distillery, including stories of his childhood following his father during school holidays, leaving all of us in awe.
A thirst for history: Curious attendees learning about Tong Ah Pengarakan
As Jason shares more about the ins and outs of this historical distillery, our attendees listen attentively while the distillery team continues their production, demonstrating their efforts in preserving the culture and tradition of Tong Ah Pengarakan
Getting Boozy with Mickey: a Tong Ah rice wine tasting session
After the insightful tour by Jason, we are guided back to the loading bay where cocktail ingredients are now presented next to our Tong Ah products with pride. Mickey from YamZau Kaki takes the attendees on a boozy journey, where rice wine is poured and cocktails with rice wine is made inspired by our local flavours.
A high spirited ending
As the tour ends, attendees are invited to go for seconds on the sampling or have an intimate chat with the Tay cousins to find out more about this iconic brand, ending the eventful tour with some high spirits!
We would like to take this time to thank everyone involved in making this distillery tour come true, especially the amazing Mickey from Yamzau Kaki. With his creative thinking and "alcoholic" influences, we are able to share the flavours of Tong Ah in a different light.
More to come!
Thanks to this first distillery tour, we are able to open up the distillery to public for more tours! Subscribe to our newsletter to get priority access to our next tour.
We can't wait to drink with you. Cheers! 🥂