The Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind 2012 finalists are:
Will Cox, of Monteith’s, Edinburgh
Alec Dyson, Booly Mardy’s, Glasgow
Gareth Evans, Pollen Street Social, London
Roberto Fiorillo, Mokoko,St Albans
Lee Orelowitz, London Cocktail Club (Goodge St)
Lee Potter-Cavanagh, Mark’s Bar, London
Dominic Wright, Castle Terrace, Edinburgh
Henry Yates, World Service, Nottingham.
Now in its third year with the 2012 final to be held at the Beaufort Bar at The Savoy hotel in London on November 26.
The eight finalists will be creating their twist on the classic whisky cocktail ‘Blood & Sand’ as well as their own signature serve using either Glenfiddich 12, 15 or 18 Year Old Single Malt.
This year’s competition will be peer assessed with expert guidance from a judging panel including Jamie Milne, Glenfiddich brand ambassador and 2011 finalist Ryan Chetiyawardana of Mr Lyan Bar.
Jamie Milne says: “Although Glenfiddich is not seen as a ‘cocktail brand’, whisky seems to be gaining popularity with the most creative mixologists. This is reflected in the fact that we have seen double the number of applicants in Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind 2012 compared to last year, including entries from some of the top bartenders in the most exciting venues around the UK.”
Organisers First Drinks which is a subsidiary of William Grant & Sons, owners of the Glenfiddich brand, says the Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind 2012 provides the “perfect mix of innovative cocktail-making ability with a deeper understanding of malt whisky and the Glenfiddich brand with all finalists submitting a questionnaire on application and further in-depth knowledge needed at the final.”
