Hennessy MyWay 2026: Road to Cognac Begins

Hennessy celebrates the return of Hennessy MyWay 2026, the brand’s premier global bartending competition. Registrations are now open for this annual challenge, which invites bartenders from all over the world to redefine cocktail artistry by blending sustainable practices with expressive, ritual-inspired serves. National champions will have the chance to represent their country at the Global Finals, held this year in Cognac, France – the birthplace of Hennessy.

Hennessy MyWay 2025 Malaysian Champion and Hennessy MyWay 2026 Mentor, Oh Chong Hau and Bar None Co-founder

The Malaysian chapter officially launched at Bar None, the latest venture from Hennessy MyWay alumni Raz Ng and Arsenio “Ash” Mariano. Bringing together the local mixology community, the event offered attendees an official virtual introduction from Hennessy Brand Education Director, Julien Pepin-Lehalleur, and exclusive insights from Hennessy MyWay 2025 Malaysian Champion and Hennessy MyWay 2026 mentor, Oh Chong Hau.

Arsenio Ash mixing cocktails for the crowd

During his sharing session, Chong Hau reflected on his experience last year, emphasising Hennessy as a brand that truly cares about the craft and artistry of bartenders. “Throughout the competition, you receive constructive feedback and guidance, which really helps you to improve. The scoring focuses on your overall skills as a bartender, not just the final drink, which shows that the brand and the judges really pay attention to the effort you put in. This competition is open to everyone, so I encourage you to join regardless of your level of experience — as long as you’re willing to think outside the box and put in the practice.”

During the launch, Arsenio Ash was also revealed as a returning mentor, bringing his seasoned expertise back to the 2026 programme. He highlighted the importance of mentorship throughout the competition, highlighting how Hennessy MyWay provides rare access to industry guidance and support, helping bartenders refine their craft and advance their career.

Elevating this year’s edition, the competition will spotlight three National Champions across Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines or Vietnam. In addition to official guidance from the Maison, finalists will gain special access to mentorship and knowledge-sharing sessions led by a collective of respected Southeast Asian industry veterans and Hennessy MyWay Alumni.

[From L to R] Bar None Co-owner and Hennessy MyWay Alumni Arsenio Ash mixing cocktails Raz Ng and Oh Chong Hau for the crowd

Where Creativity Meets Conscious Craft

A core aspect throughout the competition, Hennessy MyWay challenges bartenders to push creative boundaries while honouring the environment. From locally sourced ingredients to eco-conscious techniques and reimagined service rituals, participants are encouraged to craft cocktails that reflect a more sustainable approach and tell a story with every serve.

Each year, bartenders continue to raise the bar, bringing fresh perspectives, technical skill, and personal flair to the challenge. More than just the final pour, Hennessy MyWay seeks talents who embrace storytelling, bring people together, and redefine modern cocktails through ritual, sustainability, and originality.

Hennessy MyWay is more than a competition — it reflects Hennessy’s genuine care and enduring commitment to the mixology community. By bringing bartenders together across Southeast Asia and beyond, the platform fosters connection, creativity, and collaboration, empowering the craft to grow with every edition.

Senior Brand Manager of Hennessy Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines at Moët Hennessy Diageo Malaysia,  Edmund Wong, walks the crowd through the competition process and timeline

Hennessy MyWay 2026 Competition Timeline

The journey to the global stage is divided into three phases, with each phase requiring a new cocktail recipe:

1. Phase One (Now – 30 April 2026): Registrations are open for video submissions.

2. Phase Two (June – July 2026): Masterclasses and Guestshifts held by Hennessy MyWay Southeast Asia mentors across Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam.

3. Phase Three (August 2026): Semi-Finals and Regional Finals in Malaysia.

4. Phase Four (October 2026): Global Finals in Cognac, France.

How to Enter

1. Register via the official Hennessy MyWay submission platform.

2. Post a one-minute cocktail video showcasing the complexity and versatility of Hennessy V.S.O.P. on a public social media account (Instagram preferred) using the hashtag #HennessyMyWay

3. Submit the video link and recipe details (including sustainability and ritual serve elements) via the submission platform by April 30, 2026 (12 AM local time).

Note: Video production quality is not scored; video must clearly show the ritual serve and final appearance.

Judging Criteria: Sustainability is Key

Sustainability is a key pillar of Hennessy MyWay and remains a primary judging factor. Effective sustainable techniques focus on minimising waste, reimagining overlooked ingredients, and making purposeful use of what is readily available. Contestants are encouraged to keep the principles of reduce, reuse, recycle in mind when conceptualising their creations.

Overall criteria

● Sustainability (35 points)

● Drinkability (25 points)

● Ritual Serve (25 points)

● Product Knowledge (10 points)

● Appearance (5 points)

Registrations for Hennessy MyWay 2026 are now open. Cocktails created during the competition will  highlight sustainability and feature Hennessy V.S. or Hennessy V.S.O.P. as the key ingredient

A Platform for the Future of Bartending

More than just a competition, Hennessy MyWay continues to champion the next generation of bartenders shaping the future of cocktail culture through creativity, sustainability, and storytelling.

For more information and full competition terms, please visit the official Hennessy MyWay website. #HennessyMyWay #HennessyMY #Hennessy #DrinkResponsibly