tatlerasia – The local distillery celebrates Sarawak and its rich culture with a captivating night of traditional music, Ngajat dancing, and premium quality tuak.
Honlynn Distillery has been bringing the best of Sarawakian spirits and wines to the peninsula since 2008. Its latest product, Kaban Tuak, is a native rice wine brewed and fermented with techniques carefully passed down through generations of the Dayak community.
In December 2021, Kaban Tuak landed in Kuala Lumpur in style with an unforgettable launch party, kickstarting its mission to shake up the capital city’s F&B scene. Held at SPG by Bijan in Bukit Ceylon, friends of the brand were welcomed with a curated menu of cocktails created by the modern Malaysian tapas bar and grill’s expert mixologists, starring Kaban Tuak, as well as other Sarawakian spirits Sangkoh Langkau and Ohha Party Langkau.
Guests were also invited to learn more about the importance of tuak in local and indigenous communities in Sarawak as a symbol of gayu, guru, and gerai nyamai, translated to mean longevity, health, and prosperity respectively. They were also given an insight on how Kaban Tuak is made, from sourcing rice from local farmers in the region to observing taboos to ensure the most authentic taste during the fermentation and ageing process.
A truly immersive experience of Sarawakian culture, there was also a display of handwoven crafts by Tanoti, a social enterprise honouring the traditions and heritage of the Penan community, as well as a traditional sape performance by model and Miss World Malaysia 2018 Larissa Ping, during which guests spontaneously joined in with lively ngajat dancing.
True to its name, derived from the word for ‘friend’ in the Iban language, the night was a true celebration of togetherness, fortifying relationships and forging friendships with good food, drink and music.
