Diageo unveils World Class List

Diageo Reserve has launched television series World Class List, which follows Australian musician Carey Watkins on an international adventure to create the “ultimate drinks list”.

Watkins headed to Sydney, Taipei, Barcelona, San Francisco and Mexico to discover the “ultimate drinks list”

During the five-part series, Watkins explores the best of what to see, do, eat and drink in five cities – Sydney, Taipei, Barcelona, San Francisco and Mexico.

LA-based Watkins was selected from hundreds to become the host of the new travel series, which seeks to inspire people to “drink better and create unforgettable experiences” in the process.

Watkins is led on his journey by five renowned World Class bartenders, who share their inside knowledge of their city and the craft of bartending, presenting their cocktail inspired by their experiences on the show.

Sydney-based Tim Philips, 2012 World Class winner, appears on the show, as well as four national champions from the World Class Bartender of the Year 2016 global final: Andrew Meltzer of the USA, Nick Wu of Taiwan, Spanish bartender Adriana Chia and Nica Rousseau of Mexico.

Among the drinks that Carey experiences is a smooth digestif from Tim Philips made with Johnnie Walker and freshly brewed coffee, and a brunch-time Bloody Mary using Ketel One Vodka and carrot juice from Andrew Meltzer.

On his journey, Carey experienced an introduction to Mexican wrestling, spearfishing his own seafood to pair with Tanqueray gin and grapefruit in Sydney and celebrated New Year’s Eve drinking cocktails under fireworks on a boat in San Francisco Bay.

World Class global director Johanna Dalley said: “Carey’s journey is that of the viewer – learning more about drinking culture around the world at the same time as picking up some really simple tips on how to make great cocktails himself. We want to inspire consumers to get out into the industry and try the amazing drinks on offer in bars all over the world, or to up their game and have a go at making them at home.”

Watkins said: “The trip very quickly became unbelievable, and nine times out of 10 I was doing something I hadn’t done before – and would never have done. I do love to travel, but more than anything I love to meet people, to talk to people and form relationships. To combine that with travelling around the world – and learning how these bartenders hone their craft while tasting their unbelievable drinks – literally is the dream job. I was truly blown away by all five of those drinks – everything from the colours, to the smells, to the taste – they were unbelievably good.”

World Class List will be released on Amazon Prime in selected markets from next week and is available to watch now on MakeItWorldClass.com/List.