The Wonderful Race 2025: Meet Singapore’s Top 10 All-Star Bartenders

Singapore’s cocktail scene is heating up once again as Woodford Reserve announces the Top 10 finalists for The Wonderful Race 2025. Now in its third edition, this annual showdown celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and that perfect Old Fashioned.

Themed “All-Star Old Fashioned”, this year’s competition drew some of Singapore’s finest bartenders, each putting a bold new twist on the classic. The grand finale happens 16 November, where one bartender will claim the national title and an exclusive trip to the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Kentucky.

The All-Star Lineup

The finalists represent some of the city’s most celebrated bars, from Nutmeg & Clove and Origin Bar to The Singapore Edition’s Lobby Bar. Expect concoctions as inventive as their names—think Oat Krunch Old Fashioned, Maqaw Symphony, and Shrimp & Sausage. "Each finalist has reimagined an iconic cocktail in their own special way," said Colton Payne, APAC Marketing Director at Brown-Forman. "We can’t wait to see their creativity come to life."

Image credit: Wee Siong Wong, Lobby Bar at The Singapore Edition | Supplied

Here’s the full lineup of Singapore’s top 10 bartenders and their All-Star Old Fashioned creations

• Guanhui Lee, Dempsey Cookhouse – Oat Krunch Old Fashioned: a smooth, comforting spin inspired by nostalgic breakfast flavours, combining bourbon warmth with oat and biscuit notes.
• Dongje Kim, The Backdrop – The Bridge: a modern reimagining that connects East and West through delicate balance and bold storytelling in the glass.
• April Yeo, Dimple – Shrimp & Sausage: a daring, umami-driven cocktail that fuses Southern heartiness with Singaporean flair (proof that savoury cocktails can absolutely steal the show).
• Minh Le, OFFTRACK – Low and Slow: a smokey, soulful creation that nods to slow cooking and even slower sipping, all about patience and precision.
• Kazuhiro Chii, The Bar Kakure – Ichigeki: translating to “one strike,” this minimalist yet powerful mix captures Japanese discipline and finesse.
• Wee Siong Wong, Lobby Bar at The Singapore Edition – Simmera: a refined, aromatic creation built around soft warmth and gentle spice (like a meditative moment in cocktail form).
• Yu Heng Chai, Nutmeg & Clove – Sip of Gratitude: inspired by reflection and appreciation, this Old Fashioned celebrates connection, community, and craftsmanship.
• Jia Ding Leng, Tess Bar & Kitchen – Maqaw Symphony: a symphony of spice and citrus, infused with the unique notes of maqaw pepper for a lively Southeast Asian kick.
• Geng Huang, Origin Bar – The Bitter Sweet Reserve: elegant and balanced, this drink plays on contrasts (bold yet smooth, classic yet forward-thinking).
• Mel John Chavez, Bar Somma – Barrels & Barrels: a layered, barrel-aged beauty that celebrates time, wood, and the evolving art of the Old Fashioned.

A Toast To Old Fashioned Month

As part of Old Fashioned Month, Woodford Reserve is also hosting a special guest shift at Origin Bar on 12 November, featuring Penang’s award-winning Backdoor Bodega. Bar talents Koh Yung Shen and Janice Lok will bring their signature Malaysian flair to the night—expect inventive takes, great vibes, and plenty of bourbon-fuelled storytelling.

Until then, you can catch the finalists in action at their home bars across Singapore, where their exclusive All-Star Old Fashioned creations will be served throughout November. For cocktail lovers, it’s the perfect excuse to sip your way through the city’s best and toast to the bartenders who make Singapore’s bar scene one of the most exciting in the world.

Looking for more? Check out:

• Singapore’s Best Bars For A Boozy Good Time
• World’s 50 Best Bars 2025: Singapore’s Native Shines On The World Stage
• Singapore’s Best Rooftop Bars For Sky-High Sips

Main image credit: April Yeo, Dimple | Supplied