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IBA World Cocktail Championships 2017 in pictures

This year’s IBA WCC took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, hosted by the Danish Bartenders Association. The 66th WCC marks the first year that the competition was held in an exhibition venue rather than in a hotel, with competitors and delegates staying in the nearby Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel and the DGI-byens Hotel.

After a lavish welcome dinner and cocktail on Sunday evening, the following day saw competitors and delegates arrive at one of the world’s biggest amusement parks, Tivoli Gardens, for the traditional Danish Night where guests were treated to an array of Danish delicacies.

The competition kicked off in the city’s largest exhibition hall, Øksnehallen, on Tuesday with bartenders going head-to-head in the flamboyant and captivating Flairtending Competition. Six competitors from the round were chosen to go through to the Flairtending Finals on the following day. Around 45 bartenders had five minutes to complete their routines, assessed by one panel of technical judges on stage and a separate panel of judges backstage who focused on the quality of the drink itself.

Running alongside the competition was the Nordic Beverage Fair, where the competition’s sponsors, as well as Nordic producers of beer, spirits and mixers all showcased their products under one roof, as well as demonstrated the latest trends for the year ahead.

This year marked the first time that the competition had a live stream, allowing every single round to be broadcasted online on Facebook and Youtube, along with a total of 41 mini masterclasses from brands such as Havana Club, Suntory and Ladoga Group.

The following day saw the start of the Classic Mixing Competitions with the winners from Before Dinner Cocktail; Sparkling Cocktail; Short Drink; Long Drink; Bartender’s Choice; and After Dinner Cocktail going through to the Super Final, as well as the champion from the separate Flairtending Competition.

Alongside the IBA WCC, the Danish Bartenders Association also held separate heats within the venue for the local bartending competition.

Taiwan’s Chun-Shen Chen impressed the crowds in the Flairtending Finals, and secured a place in the Super Final. He wowed the judges with his cocktail, Hygge Inspiration – a combination of Jim Beam White, De Kuyper Sour Rhubarb, Monin Cucumber and Monin Pineapple.

Also going through to the final was Denmark’s Damiano Pezzi, who was named winner in the Long Drink Competition. He won praise for his cocktail, Salty Samurai, a blend of Hibiki Japanese Harmony, Giffard Banane du Bresil, Monin Salted Caramel, Ponthier Fruit Puree Coconut, Ponthier Fruit Puree Sudachi and fresh egg white.

Sweden’s Tommi Komlejenovic also grabbed a place in the Super Final from the After Dinner Competition. His cocktail, Golden Lemon Pie, mixes Sipsmith VJOP, De Kuyper Butterscotch, Giffard Lemoncello, Teisseire Jucci Citron, lemon juice and lemon curd.

Austria’s Mario Hofferer, who succeeded in the Before Dinner Competition, was also put through to the Super Final with his drink, Rose Sissy.

Hofferer’s Rosé Sissy, combined Finlandia vodka, Giffard Sangria, Schlumberger Sparkling Brut, Angostura aromatic bitters and a dash of edible gold.

Mario Hofferer was crowned winner of the Super Final and subsequently IBA Bartender of the Year 2017. Here he accepts his prize from Jannick Gram, the president of the Danish Bartender’s Association, and the newly-elected president Pepe Dioni during the Gala Dinner.

The final announcement of the competition saw Jannick Gram hand the official flag of the IBA to Estonia, who will host the competition next year.

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