It is not often one comes across a Finnish person in Singapore. Growing up in the little city of Porvoo, along the south coast of Finland and spending the majority of his life in Helsinki, Jyri Pylkkänen finds himself exchanging his Scandinavian home country’s climate and way of life with Singapore’s (where he is based) sweltering heat and humidity, and Southeast Asia’s melting pot of culture. The move comes after he was appointed as the new Regional Malts brand ambassador for Southeast Asia, focusing on Glenfiddich and The Balvenie. Men’s Folio spoke to Jyri Pylkkänen about his early days in the alcohol scene, his plans for the region and his favourite whiskies to enjoy.
JYRI, WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST EXPOSURE TO ALCOHOL? WHAT DID YOU DRINK?
I remember we had this thing called Salmiakki in Finland; it’s a kind of liquorice but heavier. You’d infuse that with alcohol and down it as a shot. That was my first experience with alcohol.
SO, WHAT DREW YOU INTO THE WORLD OF ALCOHOL AND SPIRITS?
As I was quite young and looking for opportunities in life, I found myself working in a nightclub to earn some money. After two weeks, I got promoted to make drinks behind the bar, and I love the interactivity of it. I was the side guy when I was younger. I met new people, the bar community; everybody supported each other. It was a small, big world for a young boy back then.
I realised this was my passion and something I wanted to pursue. I worked at various pubs with various concepts and eventually found my place in cocktails. This turned out to be the biggest decision of my life, as I am still working in the industry. After that, I met my best friend and former colleague, and decided to open a cocktail consultancy. It worked out pretty well and after saving some money, we opened a few bars with different concepts — one of which included a New York-style cocktail joint.
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