Gin Library, Courtyard by Marriott Penang, Georgetown

Gin Library Penang

Monica Tindall

Penang has a gin bar! Located on the 23rd floor of Courtyard by Marriott Penang, it offers expansive views of the city, hill and sea. It’s a polished setting with marble, dark wood and a shiny bar. Jazz tunes add to the ambience, and a fantastic gin collection is a goal to conquer.

Gin First

So, gin first! We take a tame start with a couple of cocktails and then move on to some tastings neat. The Sloe Gin & Elderflower Collins (RM 40) is a sweet beginning with sloe gin, lemon juice and elderflower syrup. Garnished with lemon and rosemary, and pink in the glass, it’s a pretty drink. The Rosemary Gin Fizz (RM 40) is lighter with a balance of herbal sweetness and fresh acidity. It’s made with gin, lemon juice, house-made rosemary syrup and topped up with soda water.

Besides cocktails, there are a whole bunch of boutique gins here that I haven’t seen before. I could spend days tasting. One of the highlights is the aged Elephant Gin Release 2019. Aged in Diplomatico (one of our favourite rums) barrels, its complexity is increased, but its freshness remains. Additionally, 15% of earnings are contributed to elephant conservation. Now that’s guilt-free drinking.  

Gin Library Food Menu

Often bar snacks are not of consequence, but at Gin Library, the house-roasted nuts are worth a nibble. Cashews, peanuts and almonds are coated in salt, paprika and a sprinkle of sugar. They’re addictive. But, besides bar bites, Gin Library has a decent food menu too. Divided into small bites, big bites and sweets, it’s an easy to read one page of mostly western recipes.

Small Bites

Lining your tummy with carbs is a sensible idea when you have lots of gin tasting to do. Both the Tomato Bruschetta (RM 18) with cherry tomatoes, basil and Parmesan, and the Grilled Cheese Chilli Toasts (RM 18) are easy finger food and great to share.

Big Bites

For something more substantial, Gin Library has hand-made fresh pasta. The two recipes we try today are just-right sized – enough to satiate our hunger but not too much to leave us with a carb slump. The Fettuccine with Wild Mushrooms (RM 42) is augmented with grilled marinated beef, onion jam and tomato confit. The delicate pasta ribbons hold the sauce without going soggy. Another tasty pick is the Prawn Ricotta Ravioli (RM 38). The namesake ingredients are further padded with mushroom ragout and grated pecorino cheese, filling each bundle to the brim. Sides of eggplant and bok choy add a splash of colour and texture and fulfil our must-eats of daily veg.

Gin Library Penang – Sweets

Lastly, nostalgia is sure to be triggered with the Flaming Crepe Alaska (RM 25). A twist the original recipe, cake is replaced with a crepe, which wraps house-made hazelnut and tutti fruity ice cream. It’s topped with meringue and set alight with brandy just before serving.

Reasons to visit Gin Library Penang: Fab views, an extensive gin collection, a compact menu encouraging you to stay on.

Gin Library
Courtyard by Marriott Penang
218D Jalan Macalister
George Town, 10400 Penang, Malaysia
+60175305543 +604 297 2300
www.courtyardpenang.com

Find more on travel to Penang here and stay up to date with the latest gourmet happenings around Malaysia here and here.