Flor de Caña crowns 2019 Rum Frontiers winner

Rum brand Flor de Caña has named bartender Manacháin Monaghan as the 2019 winner of its UK cocktail competition Rum Frontiers.

Leeds-based Manacháin Monaghan was crowned winner of the 2019 Rum Frontiers competition

Held last week (19 June) at the Impossible Bar in Manchester, the competition saw 10 bartenders tested on their speed, mixing and presentation.

The competition, which launched in 2015, is centred around Flor de Caña’s dedication to sustainability and Fairtrade products.

The judging panel comprised: Mateo Ortiz Lima, Flor de Caña’s UK brand ambassador; last year’s Rum Frontiers winner, Lachlan Rooney; and guest judge Johnathan Grey, Co-op’s spirits buyer.

Monaghan, owner of the Below Stairs bar in Leeds, won with his creation Youth and Young Manhood. This year was the second time that Monaghan had entered the competition.

The winning serve was inspired by flavours from the porridge that Monaghan’s mum used to make. The cocktail is made with Flor de Caña seven-year-old infused with oats and Flor de Caña four-year-old infused with banana.

“It was a really tough job picking a winner this year – everyone had really unique approaches with cocktails created that really broadened my thinking about great pairings for Flor de Caña,” said Lima.

“Mannie [Manacháin] won not only because his creation tasted magical, but because he understood Flor de Caña and what makes us special – our story, our brand heritage and our family values.”

In May last year, Flor de Caña rum became one of the first spirit brands in the world to receive Fairtrade certification.