Chivas Masters final to reach ‘whole new level’

Blended Scotch whisky brand Chivas Regal has named the 21 bartenders who have been put through to the global final of its Chivas Masters cocktail competition.

The Chivas Masters will see 21 bartenders from around the world compete

Taking place from 24-28 June, the final will see 21 bartenders from around the world compete to be crowned Chivas Masters Global Champion 2018.

For the first time, the Chivas Masters global final will return to the brand’s roots with the five-day competition starting at the Strathisla distillery in Speyside before finishing in London.

Throughout the week, bartenders will take part in a series of masterclasses and individual and team challenges, each designed to test their skills, creativity and teamwork.

Three finalists will then be named and tasked with establishing their own pop-up cocktail bar and menu.

The 21 finalists will be mentored by a panel of judges, including Matt Whiley, founder of London bar Scout; Laura-May Coop, co-founder of social media agency Social Life;  JJ Goodman, founder of The London Cocktail Club bar group; and Bea Bradsells, storyteller and daughter of famed bartender Dick Bradsell.

Richard Black, global marketing director at Chivas Regal, said: “Our 21 national winners have already amazed us with their tenacity and teamwork, but this year’s competition is fiercer than ever before.

“We have 21 of the world’s best bartenders coming together and we want them to show us that success really does taste better shared – by creating their own pop-up cocktail bar with their peers and fellow competitors.

“The finalists will not only need to impress our esteemed judges; they face the ultimate critic in the form of our consumers, with their high expectations, pushing the competition to a whole new level.”

Last year, China-based bartender Atsushi Suzuki was crowned 2017 Chivas Masters Global Champion.

The Chivas Masters finalists
Argentina – Martin Suaya from JW Bradley
Australia – Louis Marcpherson from Baxter Inn
Brazil – Alex Sepulchro from Frank Bar
Bulgaria – German Gochev from The Martini: Food & Cocktails
China – Michael Chen from The Cannery
Cuba – Fabián Ramos from Restaurante Divino
Czech Republic – Filip Jančárek from the Bankers Bar
Dominican Republic – Julio Ruiz from Salitre Restaurante
France – Louis Lebaillif from Little Red Door
Hong Kong – Yuta Inagaki from Butler
Japan – Kentaro Wada from The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, The Bar
Mexico – Oscar Jesus Armenta  Garcia from Puebla
Morocco – Houssam Bennani from The Hilton
Peru – Angel Solorzano Chumpitaz from Felix Brasserie
Poland – Bartosz Konieczny from Ceviche Bar
Switzerland – Chloé Merz from Angels’ Share
Thailand – Arron Grendon from Tropic City
The Netherlands – Rick Marson from The Duchess
The United Arab Emirates – Stefano Ruocco from Flamingo Room by Tashas
United Kingdom – Alex Godfrey from The Milk Thistle
USA – Valentino Longo from Le Sirenuse Four Seasons