Winners of the Four Pillars Australian Gin Open APAC 2025 announced

On Friday 21 March, six bartenders from Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand went head-to-head at the Four Pillars Australian Gin Open APAC 2025. Representing Malaysia and Indonesia, Justin Chong and Mang Arick were named the winners.  

Tasked with creating an original cocktail using Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, Bloody Shiraz Gin or Fresh Yuzu Gin, five bartenders from each APAC market competed in local regional finals. The winning bartenders, who were flown to Sydney to represent their countries in the Grand Final at the Four Pillars Laboratory, were:

• Abigal Romero – Bar.Flora, Philippines
• Cal Ross – Panacea, New Zealand
• Jednipat Saiprapakorn – The Fool Speakeasy, Thailand
• Justin Chong – CONTI’, Malaysia
• Lim Daw Son – Side Door, Singapore
• Mang Arick – Dome by Desa Potato Head Bali, Indonesia

The finalists each presented their Four Pillars-based cocktails to a panel of three judges including Natalie Ng (Now & Then), Sam Bygrave (Boothby) and Stuart Gregor (Four Pillars).

Taking out top gong, Justin and Mang both received a $3000 cash prize. Justin’s cocktail, Fake Beer, was created as an introduction to the world of cocktails for the everyday beer drinker, blending Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin, mango, black tea and coconut.

Mang’s cocktail, REVIVAL, balanced vibrant tropical freshness and refined sophistication, featuring a combination of Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin, guava and rosella.

Gregor, Co-Founder at Four Pillars, said: “What an incredible showcase of creativity, craftsmanship, and passion for gin. The Four Pillars Australian Gin Open is all about celebrating the best bartending talent across the Asia-Pacific, and this year’s finalists absolutely raised the bar.

“Each competitor brought something unique to the table, and the final was as tight as they come. But in the end, both Justin and Mang stood out – not only for their technical ability and understanding of flavour but also for the way they told a story through their drinks.”

Check out all the action here: