(THE STAR/ANN) - Asia's largest annual celebration of gin, the East Imperial Gin Jubilee, returns on Sept 13 with its first city stop in Kuala Lumpur.

Held from Sept 13 to Dec 3 in five cities across Asia (KL, Singapore, Hong Kong, Phnom Penh, and Shanghai), the festival brings together some of the world's finest gins and the region's leading bars and bartenders.

This is the fifth year that premium beverage maker East Imperial, producers of what is known as the "Champagne of tonic water", is holding the event. The Gin Jubilee began with three national jubilees held in Singapore from 2013 to 2015, before the inaugural regional jubilee last year.

The first city on the Jubilee trail this year is KL, where events catered for all gin enthusiasts will happen across four days from Sept 13 to 16 in bars across the city. The four-day celebration culminates in the Gin Lane Street Party at Plaza Batai, Damansara Heights on Sept 16, from 6pm onwards. Entry to the events, as well as the street party, is complimentary.

The East Imperial Gin Jubilee aims to boost gin knowledge and appreciation across multiple venues where people come together to sample innovative variations of the classic Gin And Tonic drink.

A collaboration between East Imperial and Malaysian craft spirits distributor Wholly Spirits, the Kuala Lumpur Gin Jubilee will also include a city-wide 'Best Gin & Tonic' competition for local bars.

This year, there will be 21 participating bars mixing up Gin and Tonics for the competition, with using one of 10 gin brands, including Kyrö Napue, St. George, Fords Gin, Gin Mare, Bombay Sapphire, Hendrick's Gin, Death's Door, West Winds, Citadelle, and Botanist.

For more information regarding the competing gin and tonics and the events during the Gin Jubilee, visit the official KL Gin Jubilee website (ginjubilee.com/kuala-lumpur).

Here is a selected list of events to look forward to.

Masterclass with Sam Egerton from Charlie Parker's

Sept 13, 1 to 3pm at Birch (Lot G10/11, Damansara City Mall, Jalan Damanlela, KL)

Come journey with Sam Egerton, one of the visionaries behind the recently opened Charlie Parker's bar in Sydney. Sam will be sharing valuable insight into the creation of Charlie Parker's from concept to execution, and the trials and tribulations along the way. To reserve a seat call Alvin at 011-3639 0695. Egerton will also be conducting a guest bartending shift at Birch from 6pm to 11pm.

Sail The West Winds

Sept 14, 5pm onwards at Locker & Loft (40A, Jalan SS 20/10, Damansara Kim, Petaling Jaya, Selangor)

Vibrant PJ bar Locker & Loft teams up with The West Winds Sabre and East Imperial tonics to present their very own special Gin & Tonic twists.

Citadelle Gin Masterclass featuring Micaela Piccolo

Sept 14, 1 to 3pm, at HYDE at 53M (53, Jalan SS 21/1A, Damansara Utama, PJ, Selangor)

Maison Ferrand's Asia Pacific Brand Ambassador, Micaela Piccolo leads a masterclass starring Citadelle, a true French gin made in the heart of Cognac by Master Distiller Alexandre Gabriel. Interested trade and consumers can register via lini.pong@twe.my. Piccolo will also be guest bartending at Hyde on Sept 15, 9pm onwards.

Kyro Guest Shift with Mauricio Allende

Sept 14, 8 to 11pm at Pahit (3, Jalan Sin Chew Kee, Bukit Bintang, KL) and Sept 15, 8 to 11pm at Skullduggery (2M Plaza Damansara, Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, KL)

Mauricio Allende, Brand Ambassador of Napue Gin hailing from Kyrö Distillery Company will be behind the bar to share his knowledge on Napue Gin and shake up a gin storm.

Syrups with Shelley's

Sept 14, 7.30pm onwards at Shelley Yu's (49, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, KL)

Spend an evening with the Shelley Yu's team and Callan C Green of Wholly Spirits discussing the wonderful world of The West Winds gin. Learn about how to amp up your home bar through the application of the limitless possibilities of syrups and cordials. Entry is RM30 for the masterclass, and attendees will receive a complimentary jubilee Gin & Tonic and a bottle of homemade cordial. Send reservations to reservations@shelleyyus.com.