Cocktail Hour is Upon Us
Cocktail Hour is Upon Us
The Search for the World Class Bartender of the Year Begins
The World Class Bartender of the Year competition is back for its third exhilarating year in Australia. Celebrating cocktail culture and the art of bartending across almost 40 countries, the competition this year is challenging Australia's finest mixologists to push the boundaries of their imagination to create incredible drinking experiences inspired through two new exciting heats.
The search commences with a round that represents the summer season. Bartenders will be tasked to create beverages that embody one of three categories - Summer Cocktail, Punch and Gentleman's Cocktail. Inspired by the three key cocktail trends, the best entries must use the finest ingredients mixed with luxury spirits including either Ketel One vodka, Tanqueray No. Ten gin or The Singleton of Glen Ord Single Malt Scotch Whisky to produce amazing cocktail creations.
The second round of the competition is dedicated to winter, asking bartenders to create rich and warming drinks inspired by three categories - Gentleman's Cocktail, Hot Drink and Dessert Serve. Each cocktail will need to incorporate Ron Zacapa 23 rum, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky or Don Julio Reposado tequila.
Two semi final carnivals will follow each round where consumers will be invited to experience the best three cocktail creations in each category and vote for their favourite cocktail or bartender to make it to the national final. The summer round semi final will take place in Sydney on Sunday 22nd January 2012. The winter round semi final will take place in Melbourne on Sunday 20th May 2012.
Each cocktail creation entered will be available through the bartender's venue and in an exciting new twist, this year the competition asks consumers to get involved and vote for their favourite cocktail and bartender by visiting the World Class facebook page. By doing so, they also have the chance of winning a $500 bar tab in the venue they voted for!
The finalists announced will then compete in a grueling national final to take place in 2012 for the chance to be crowned Australia's best bartender so be sure to head along to one of the city's top World Class bars to experience what the masters of mixology are serving up as they go head to head for the coveted title.
10 bartenders will make it to the national final:
· 4 finalists from the Summer round:
- Winner of Best Punch
- Winner of Best Summer Cocktail
- Winner of Best Gentleman's Cocktail
- The entry with the most Facebook votes
· 4 finalists from the Winter round:
- Winner of Best Hot Cocktail
- Winner of Best Dessert Cocktail
- Winner of Best Gentleman's Cocktail
- The entry with the most Facebook votes
· 1 winner from the Bartender Magazine bartender of the year
· 1 overall World Class performer from both rounds
About World Class
The World Class competition is hosted and organised by Diageo RESERVE Brands. Diageo RESERVE Brands is the luxury division of Diageo and its portfolio of spirits include brands such as Tanqueray No. Ten®, Johnnie Walker® Blue Label™ Blended Scotch whisky, Zacapa™ rum, Ketel One® vodka, Jose Cuervo Platino™ tequila, Don Julio® tequila and Ciroc® vodka.
As part of a global celebration of cocktail culture, World Class is celebrating the art of bartending through an international search for the finest bartender in the world. The winning prize is a career changing opportunity with global PR attention and a global publishing deal for the winner to create their own cocktail book.
The search for the world's best bartender commences with a national competition in each participating country. RESERVE will hold the Australian national final in 2012, where 10 bartenders will compete for the chance to represent the country on the world stage against the cream of the bartending elite from across the globe.
About Diageo
Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.
Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 markets around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere
Drink Responsibily
