Rebel Yell crowns inaugural London winner

Thom Solberg of Black Rock bar in Shoreditch has won Bourbon brand Rebel Yell’s first London cocktail competition.

Thom Solberg, winner of the Rebel Yell Bourbon Cocktail Competition Final

Rebel Yell and its UK distributor Cellar Trends hosted the Rebel Your Cocktail contest, the final of which took place at Mash Soho on 22 August.

Hailing from all corners of London, the five finalists – Harry Knox, Boulogne bar, Kentish Town; Lükas Gotze, Three Six Six, Battersea; Milan Kresan, The Churchill Bar, W1; Tertius Wharton, Opium, Chinatown; and Thom Solberg, Black Rock, Shoreditch – were charged with creating a premium serve with a “rebel spirit that dares to take a fresh look away from typical mainstream bourbon and dark spirits cocktails”.

The judges included Greg Mefford, international sales director at Luxco, Rebel Yell’s parent firm; John Rempe, Rebel Yell master blender; and world whisky writer, Dominic Roskrow.

Solberg’s winning cocktail, Bakken – inspired by the name of one of the largest oil fields in the US – won him a VIP trip to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival (13-18 September) hosted by the Rebel Yell US brand owners and Cellar Trends.

“We were all very impressed by the diversity, creativity and attention to detail of all five finalists, and thought the organisation of the event was first class,” commented Roskrow.

Caroline Pihoue, marketing manager for Rebel Yell at Cellar Trends, added: “The competition brought some really confident serves.

“At times, one would think that the ingredients lined-up by the competitor would clash, but then came the magic. Incredible aromas and taste sensations were matched with ultra-creative presentations.

“We enjoyed discovering such creative mixes in this inspiring collection of bourbon cocktails, and thank all the bartenders for taking so much time to dream up and perfect their serves. We especially thank the bars hosting the heats: MASH, Shaka Zulu, Milroy’s & The Vault, Whistling Shop and Three Six Six.”

The Rebel Yell campaign will continue with diary coverage of highlights at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and a UK Twitter tasting of four Rebel Yell styles will take place on 7 November, the eve of the United States Presidential election.

Thom Solberg’s Bakken

50ml Rebel Yell bourbon

15ml Amaro Angostura

10ml Velvet Falernum

5ml walnut oil,

zest of half a lime

Shake hard over ice and double strain. Garnish with a side of flamed baby sweetcorn, and fresh plum halves and cherries. Add a torched ear of corn.

Earlier this year, Kentucky-based Luxco broke ground on its US$35 million distillery in the heart of the Bourbon Trail, which is set to create 34 new full-time jobs.