Held during Old Fashioned month, the third edition of Woodford Reserve's The Wonderful Race crowned its latest star for its Singapore leg: Mel John Chavez of Bar Somma. In a competition that's built around the Old Fashioned—one of the Six Basics and the world’s most deceptively simple drink (bourbon, sugar, bitters)—Chavez won the judges over with... muskmelon?
Before we get into it, we need to start with the competition format. As mentioned, the competition revolves around reimagining the timeless Old Fashioned (under the theme of "All-Star") and 10 finalists from our local drinking holes were chosen to embark on this quest.
A panel of judges—Colton Payne of Brown-Forman, Spirited Asia’s Daniel Goh, and last year’s Asia Champion Kelvin Saquilayan—weighed each reinterpreted Old Fashioned across taste, balance, creativity, and being able to express the “true essence of Woodford Reserve” (I don't know what that is, I just drink 'em.) That's round one. Round two... now that's where it got even more exciting.
Five finalists advanced to the second round, where Chef Joel Tan of HighHouse, introduced five mystery ingredients (God, I hope Chef Tan introduced it like the Chairman from Iron Chef) to be paired with another Woodford Reserve cocktail created within an hour. And what are these ingredients? Try 1924 Blue Cheese; Wakaba Muskmelon; Jamón Ibérico de Bellota; Spanish Canned Baby Sardines and Tom Yum Spice Padron Peppers. Finalists were given a random ingredient, with Chavez saddled with muskmelon from Wakaba.
Layered in lemon juice, elderflower, apple tonic and a Hojicha-infused Woodford Reserve's bourbon whiskey and topped with a "crown-shaped" melon garnish. Called "King's Melon", the cocktail has a lowered sweetness that allows for the Woodford Reserve to shine.
As the winner of this year's The Wonderful Race, Chavez will take a trip to the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky and bear the responsibility (and pressure) of repping Singapore in the 2026 Asia Final of The Wonderful Race. No presh. Good luck to Chavez and congratulations to the rest of the finalists.
