THE BIG CHANGE – sure, this yr marks an enormous change to the comp, with the entire occasion happening over one EPIC day – Monday, 11 September. The timetable of the rounds is under however be ready for an enormous day of actions if you happen to make it to the sharp finish of the comp!
There’s additionally an enormous prize on supply due to Monkey Shoulder Whisky & Hendrick’s Gin with a visit to Scotland in 2024 to go to the properties of those superb merchandise. Additionally, you will have the honour of being the Australian Bartender Journal Bartender of the Yr.
There’s nonetheless time to register your curiosity to compete by merely emailing amy@spantonmedia.com together with your title, electronic mail tackle and cellphone quantity.
Jono Carr is on board to assist facilitate the competitors this yr. Jono is working for Etymon Tasks and is a former runner-up on this competitors, so has a good chunk of expertise. He’s cc’d on this electronic mail and shall be obtainable to reply any of your extra technical questions as we get nearer to competitors time. We even have our different Drinks Author Cara Devine pitching in to assist with the written examination and judging on the day of the competitors.
That will help you get began in your research and prep, listed below are just a few hyperlinks to the final yr of magazines in addition to final yr’s examination paper.
#259 Bartender
#260 Bartender
#261 Bartender
#262 Bartender
#263 Bartender
#264 Bartender
#265 Bartender
#266 Bartender
#267 Bartender
#268 Bartender
#269 Bartender
So, to present you a bit extra of an thought about the way it will all work, here’s a breakdown of every spherical of the competitors, in addition to info on what you’re going to win do you have to come out on prime.
THE BIG DAY
MONDAY, 11th SEPTEMBER
Spherical 1 — The Examination
Price 30% of general mark
Location: Lil Sis at The Abercrombie (entry on Abercrombie Road)
Time: 10am for 10.15am begin
Spherical 1 entails a one-hour written examination based mostly on basic cocktail and spirit data and quite a lot of stuff that has been within the magazine.
The examination will begin at 10:15am. It’s your duty to just remember to are there on time.
You’re required to carry a pen, and having a spare doesn’t harm.
After the examination is completed, you’re invited to hang around at Lil Sis, refreshments and drinks shall be offered.
The High 8 shall be introduced following the marking at Lil Sis. They can even be introduced on our social media. All opponents want to remain for the announcement, as Spherical 2 commences straight afterwards.
Spherical 2 — The High 8 Spherical
Price 30% of general mark
Location: Lil Sis at The Abercrombie (entry on Abercrombie Road)
Time: 1pm (approx.)
Half one in all Spherical 2 is the blind-tasting spherical. You’ll be requested to establish quite a lot of spirits, with marks given for the class, its model, its geographical origin, and the product’s title.
When you’ve got any doubt about tips on how to fill out every part for the spirit, at all times present as a lot details about the spirit as you may.
There’s a time restrict of 20 minutes for the blind tasting.
Half two of Spherical 2 consists of the thriller field bartending problem. You have to to make two drinks: one, a drink on the fly based mostly on components within the field; the opposite a traditional cocktail specified by the judges on the spot.
Competing two at a time, you should have 1 minute to have a look at and style the components within the thriller field, adopted by 2 minutes with which to make each drinks. The drinks are scored purely on style and look. You’re not marked on working clear. This can be a velocity, reminiscence, and invention problem.
The High 3 shall be introduced at Lil Sis and on-line at roughly 4pm
Following the announcement, the High 3 shall be assigned occasions for the evening with the finals kicking off at 7pm
THE FINAL
Guidelines & Tips for The High 3 (Spherical 3)
Price 40% of general mark
Location: Floor Flooring of The Abercrombie, 100 Broadway
Time: 7pm to 8pm (previous to the Home of William Grant Get together)
Every of the High 3 will compete on stage at The Abercrombie
There shall be a provide of William Grant & Sons merchandise on the backbar. Please notice that opponents are required to carry all different components they want to use for his or her drinks. If you happen to desire your personal equipment, please carry it.
Common, commonplace, non-bespoke, non-Hoshizaki non-Kold-Draft ice shall be obtainable. It received’t be nice. You’re welcome to carry your personal ice, but it surely very properly might soften. There isn’t any refrigeration nor freezers obtainable. There shall be a safe house to place all of your gear.
We can have a workforce readily available to assist out the High 3 with any particular necessities to assist them prepare for the ultimate presentation.
You should make two (2) drinks. One Hendrick’s Gin drink with a minimal of 30ml Hendrick’s Gin. One Monkey Shoulder drink with a minimal of 30ml Monkey Shoulder.
You’ve a complete time of 5 minutes on stage during which to organize the 2 drinks. Timing shall be essential. There shall be no time extensions permitted. If a drink is unfinished on the finish of the 5-minute interval, it will likely be submitted to the judges as is.
The JUDGES: The judging panel is formidable and consists of:
*the legendary Ivy Combine, American bar proprietor of Leyenda and founding father of Pace Rack,
*David Spanton, Founding father of Australian Bartender journal, Sydney Bar Week and bar proprietor,
*Ross Blainey, Model Ambassador for Glenfiddich & The Balvenie,
*Priscilla Leong, Bartender of the Yr 2022 and
*Cara Devine, Drinks knowledgeable, author and acclaimed writer.
The High 3 spherical shall be judged on the next standards:
- Cocktail title
- Drink look
- Aroma
- Style (flavour, stability, end)
- Creativity & originality
- Bar presentation (chat, engagement, approach, and so forth)
The Bartender of the Yr, 2nd place, and third place shall be determined based mostly upon the cumulative factors acquired from every spherical.
The Bartender of the Yr shall be introduced on the evening and once more on the Bar Awards on Wednesday, 13 September.
THE PRIZE:
Go to Hendrick’s Gin & Monkey Shoulder in 2024
This yr’s winner shall be topped Australian Bartender Journal Bartender of the Yr, and a once-in-a-lifetime alternative to go over to Scotland in early 2024 (tbc), hosted by one of many William Grant & Sons BAs. This winner will go to each distillery websites and have the chance to current their successful cocktail to each Grasp Distiller Lesley Gracie, and Malt Grasp Brian Kinsman nose to nose.
When you’ve got any additional questions please get in contact with Jono at drinks@spantonmedia.com or Amy Spanton on amy@spantonmedia.com
