TOTC launches bartender competition with Johnnie Walker
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has launched Pour of Couture, a US-based bartender competition that draws inspiration from the world of haute couture, in partnership with Johnnie Walker.
The competition celebrates the second launch from Johnnie Walker Vault and Olivier Rousteing, The Couture Blend, a limited edition luxury Scotch whisky crafted by Johnnie Walker master blender Dr Emma Walker, who selected 10 whiskies from the extensive Johnnie Walker Vault liquid library and blended them with ‘the precision of a designer assembling a collection’.
Pour of Couture is extending this philosophy to US bartenders, challenging them to create cocktails that combine exceptional flavour with thoughtful design and atmosphere.
Like couture fashion, where each element is chosen with purpose, the competition celebrates craftsmanship at its highest level.
Beginning immediately, bartenders are invited to submit entries in two categories: Johnnie Walker Vault The Couture Blend Showcase Serve, and Johnnie Walker Blue Label Couture Cocktail.
The former category asks entrants to craft a couture-inspired serve that highlights Johnnie Walker Vault The Couture Blend by engaging all the senses through multi-sensorial presentation elements.
The second category requires entrants to curate a cocktail built around Johnnie Walker Blue Label. It must feature at least one custom element and draw inspiration from various cultural realms to create a ‘layered journey’ that showcases the depth, richness, and refinement of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
Submissions must include video, photography, and menu-ready descriptions, and are due by 23 October 2025.
Selected bartenders will present their creations during in-person judging between 25 October and 19 November.
Three finalists will then be announced on 24 November, and will advance to the live finale in Miami on 4 December, where they will showcase their entries before an esteemed panel of judges.
The winner will receive an exclusive trip to Scotland in spring 2026 to join Dr Walker at the Johnnie Walker Vault in Edinburgh, where they will craft a personal blend and take home a bespoke bottle.
Participants must be aged 21 and over to enter, and finalists must be available to travel to Miami from 3-5 December 2025.
Prohibited elements include fire, tobacco, banned substances, and objectionable references.
Diageo liquids must be used when available, with non-substitutable modifiers permitted.
Split-base cocktails are discouraged, and finalists must be able to faithfully recreate their serves on-site at the finale.
For complete rules and submission details, visit www.talesofthecocktail.org/get-involved/pour-of-couture.
The 2026 Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC) festival will take place from 19 to 24 July, guided by the theme ‘spark’.
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