Emma Following the inaugural launch of Glenfiddich’s search to find the World’s Most Experimental Bartender, Glenfiddich is looking for the next maverick to take the crown.
The global search aims to recognise and reward individuals who collaborate with artists outside of the traditional drinks world in order to create a more surprising, inventive drinking experience. The winner will earn a reputation as The World’s Most Experimental Bartender, with their creativity being showcased globally.
Last year, Nathan O’Neill of New York’s NoMad Hotel took the title for his collaboration with Chef John Taube. The pair co-created a new generation of cooked Glenfiddich cocktails, inspired by the sous-vide cooking technique. Sous-vide is a method of cooking under vacuum, locking in moisture and flavour while ensuring an even result. Other collaboration finalists included; ceramics, videography, edible art, cheese making, sound engineering, game creation, cuisine and furniture design.
Following on from the success of last year, the competition requires bartenders to collaborate with a master of another field to co-create something unique, inspired by Glenfiddich. Finalists from countries around the globe, including the UK, will then be invited on an all-expenses-paid trip to the Glenfiddich Experimental Bartender Academy in Scotland, where they will compete to win the priceless opportunity of bringing their idea to life, supported by Glenfiddich.
The academy is an intense and immersive three-day experience where the UK’s favourite co-creators will learn how to make whisky from scratch. They will have the exclusive opportunity to absorb knowledge from Glenfiddich’s distillery experts; from the mash man to the cooper, the still man to the malt master; and these extraordinary craftsmen will share the techniques that have made Glenfiddich the most awarded single malt Scotch whisky today; including an opportunity to meet with our malt master, Brian Kinsman.
Armed with fresh knowledge and tools, the collaborative pairs will then refine their innovation ideas in order to pitch to a panel of judges which will include; Director of Prestige UK – Kirsten Grant Meikle, Glenfiddich Global Brand Ambassador – Struan Grant Ralph, Glenfiddich Malt Master – Brian Kinsman and High Snobiety.
2016’s World’s Most Experimental Bartender winner, Nathan O’Neill, comments, “Collaboration has always been my greatest source of inspiration; particularly watching, learning, and developing skills from other crafts – so this competition was an ideal opportunity for me. We re-imagined the food pairings of the Glenfiddich ancestors and created a dish that transported guests back to the Scottish Highlands of previous generations. This is a hugely exciting opportunity!”
Glenfiddich Global Brand Ambassador, Struan Grant Ralph, comments, “Our award-winning whiskies are sold in the world’s finest bars, existing in a space where the demand for co-creation has never been higher. This competition is an opportunity for maverick bartenders to extend the boundaries of the whisky industry – collaborating with masters outside of their trade to create an entry that meets both of their passions while meeting the hunger for a serve that challenges the industry norm.”
The search for the next World’s Most Experimental bartender starts now, with the closing date for entries in the UK being the 12th June 2017. The UK finalists will be announced on 19th June 2017 and will be selected by the Glenfiddich UK Brand Team and UK Ambassador Mark Thomson, before competing in the UK Final on the 12th July.
Global Finalists will be announced in September 2017 and will take part in the Glenfiddich Experimental Bartender Academy in Scotland in November.
For more details on how to enter and for the full terms and conditions of the competition, please visit http://www.glenfiddich.com/uk/explore/experimental-whisky. All entrants must be over 25 years old and have the flexibility to attend a week-long trip to Scotland in November 2017. There is no cash exchange and the place on the Glenfiddich Experimental Bartender Academy is not transferable.
