HEAVEN HILL BRANDS BARTENDER OF THE YEAR CONTEST
Press Release

$15,000 UP FOR GRABS… AND IT COULD BE YOURS!

Phase 1 – Online Entries:

For the purposes of determining the Regional finalists, entries will be assigned to the closest applicable market, as determined by the Sponsor. All complete entries submitted to www.bartenderoftheyear.liquor.com within the entry timeframe will be judged against the below criteria based on the perceived qualities of the written recipes and essay entry.

Judges will not take into consideration current employer, time spent bartending or any other personal information in the selection of Regional finalists.

Criteria:

Each competitor must enter two cocktail recipes:

• One of the two cocktail recipes must include either Elijah Craig or Rittenhouse Rye as the primary ingredient, using a minimum of 1oz.
• One of the two cocktail recipes must include Domaine de Canton or PAMA
• One for the two cocktail recipes should be inspired by a classic
• One of the two cocktail recipes should show your ability to be creative and innovate
  • Note: Use of the liqueurs or the whiskeys in either the classically inspired or the innovative cocktail is permitted. There is no requirement on which is used for either type of drink.
• Recipes must be original. An original recipe is the product of one’s own mind and is not a copy or imitation
• Recipes must contain on more than 2.5oz. (at 40% alc./vol.) total combined alcoholic ingredients and the total volume of the ingredients shall not exceed 6oz.
• Recipes must not exceed 7 ingredients including drops, dashes (This does not include garnishes)
• Ingredients must be expressed in fluid ounces (.5 oz., 1 oz., 2 oz., etc.), with dashes and drops being the smallest quantities.
• Preparation and mixing instructions must be included with your recipe.
• Limit one full entry per person.
• A blind judging panel will review and score the entries. Initial scores will be based on the judge’s’ interpretation of the written description submitted. In some cases, judges may recreate the cocktails to settle closely ranked submissions.

Each competitor must answer a short written question:

• What does hospitality mean to you?
• Responses must be a maximum of 250 words.

Scoring:

Inspired by a Classic (100 points):

• Cocktail Name (10 points)
• Appearance and Presentation (perceived based on description) (10 points)
• Balance of Flavors, Aroma & Character (40 points)
• Written Inspiration & Relationship to the Classic It was Inspired By (20 points)
• Creativity (10 points)
• Product Knowledge (10 points)

Innovative Cocktail (100 points):

• Cocktail Name (10 points)
• Appearance and presentation (perceived based on description) (10 points)
• Balance of Flavors, Aroma & Character (40 points)
• Inspiration & ability to display Innovation (20 points)
• Creativity (10 points)
• Product Knowledge (10 points)

Written Question (30 points):

• What does hospitality mean to you?

Phase 2 – Regional / Semi-Final

For the purposes of selecting Semi-Finalists, regional events will be judged by local panels, as determined by the Sponsor with the assistance of Liquor.com. The regional competition rules and judging criteria will be created by Liquor.com and will be shared with all regional participants prior to the regional competitions.

Regional competitions will be held in February and March of 2016 in four markets:

• New York
• New Orleans
• Chicago
• San Francisco

Bartenders who reside outside of the participating regions and are chosen to participate are responsible for their travel expenses to the regional events (if applicable).

Bartenders will be chosen by a blind panel, based on their recipe submissions. Qualifying bartenders will be invited to compete at one of the four regional competitions. At each regional:

• 8 Bartenders will compete across 2 distinct challenges
• All participants will receive a Visa gift card
• Judges will select a 1st and 2nd place winner

Phase 3 – Final

A total of eight finalists will be selected from the regional event winners and will compete at the finale event in Puerto Rico. For the purposes of selecting the winner of the 2016 Bartender of the Year, a panel of well-respected industry experts selected by Liquor.com and will judge the competition. Rules and judging criteria will be created by Liquor.com and will be shared with all Finalists a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the Final competition.

For more info CLICK HERE!

MAKE SOME MYSCHYF
Press Release

What Is Myschyf?

After one sip it hits you. This is something new. Something you didn’t see coming. Imagine a warm build up, uniquely balanced flavors and a tingle finish. Myschyf is the hemp liqueur. This 70 proof liqueur has a flavor of hemp, pistachio with a clean mint finish. It’s made to shoot but great to mix with as well. Myschyf is great as a cordial to help modify your favorite cocktails or as a main spirit to really offer something new to your guests.

To learn more, you can  CLICK HERE!

DIAGEO TO SUE CAPTAIN AMSTERDAM OVER CAPTAIN MORGAN
by Lucy Britner

Diageo has confirmed its intention to sue California-based herbal remedy and e-cigarette refills seller Captain Amsterdam, over the US company’s alleged similarity to the former’s Captain Morgan trademark.

The lawsuit, brought by Diageo North America, claims Captain Amsterdam has imitated the Captain Morgan character in its marketing material, as well as having imitated the ‘Captain’ and ‘Captain Morgan’ words.

A spokesperson for the drinks group said: “Captain Morgan is one of the most well-known and iconic spirit brands in the US and globally. We will strongly protect our intellectual property rights.”

PLANTATION PINEAPPLE RUM
by Andy Morton

To learn more about Plantation Rum, you can start by  CLICKING HERE!

THE ROADHOUSE UK FLAIR COMPETITION

Over the years the competition has been tweaked and molded to move with the times. People change, and so does the face of Flair. Roadhouse remains the leader in this field with the innovation of multi objects and strategic judging criteria. Still working on a ranking system and part of a league, Roadhouse utilises every month to make sure that the grand final holds host to the biggest names of flair in the world.
A special recognition must go out to Brett Seychelle who identified and pursued the interest in Flair to develop the Roadhouse Flair Competition. In addition to all who have participated, competed or contributed to Roadhouse Flair, we also thank previous organisers Troy, Andy Collinson, Lord Tugworth and Jay Du Toit for their involvement and promotion of the Roadhouse Flair competition, for whose efforts have made this competition the biggest in the world!!

FLAIR CALENDAR

January

For more info you can CLICK HERE!

HEAVEN HILL BRAND BUYS DEEP EDDY VODKA
by Lucy Britner

Heaven Hill Brands has agreed to acquire Deep Eddy Vodka from Eliza Spring for an undisclosed sum.

The deal includes the Deep Eddy Vodka brand and its distillery.

Texas-based Deep Eddy, which launched in 2010, has several flavours in its portfolio including Sweet Tea, Ruby Red and Lemon, as well as Straight Vodka. The entire team at Deep Eddy will join Heaven Hill.

Max Shapira, president of Heaven Hill Brands, said: “This is a milestone day for Heaven Hill Brands as we add Deep Eddy Vodka to our dynamic and innovative family.”

Eric Dopkins, who will continue as president of Deep Eddy Vodka, said: “The Deep Eddy team and their distributor partners will remain in place and continue to build on the exceptional momentum of the brand alongside Heaven Hill.”

Earlier this month, Heaven Hill announced a tie-up between its Blackheart rum and the Playboy brand.

SPEED RACK ALL FEMALE BARTENDING COMPETITION 2015
Press Release

Playoffs run from November 2014 through June 2015.

To enter you can Click Here!