Whisky Focus - Chivas Masters 2016 Shanghai Finalists Named

Chivas Masters 2016 global finalists prepare for 4 day Shanghai final.

Chivas Regal has announced the 15 international bartenders that will compete in the Chivas Masters Global Final in Shanghai on 19th-22nd June – the first time a major bartending competition has held its finals in the city. The Asian cocktail capital will play host to this year’s finalists who each impressed in regional heats with their bartending skills and demonstration of their knowledge of Chivas.

The Chivas Masters which is now in its third year challenged bartenders to recreate Chivas Regal’s journey across the globe. The 15 global finalists created serves inspired by the classic cocktails of New York to the booming bars of Shanghai, via their local cocktail scene, all designed to enhance Chivas Regal's smooth and generous house style – a feat which they will have to replicate in the Chivas Masters Global Shanghai Final.

The 15 Chivas Master's 2016 finalists are:

• Yao Lu - The Union Trading Company, China
   
• Renier Ernesto Rodriguez - Meliá Cohiba, Cuba
   
• Tomáš Melzer - Hemingway Bar, Czech Republic
   
• Aurélie Panhelleux - CopperBay, France
   
• Lukas Motejzik - Herzog, Germany
   
• Stefanos Draganidakis - The Trap, Greece
   
• Dave Lam - Quinary, Hong Kong
   
• Mor Koral - Mor Koral, Israel
   
• Naoya Mizugishi - Fujiya & Miyagi, Japan
   
• Alex Millan - Ponce de Leόn, Mexico
   
• Stanislaw Domin - Kawiarnia Literatka, Poland
   
• Santi Ortiz - Ohla Barcelona, Spain
   
• Johan Blaauw - Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa
   
• Chelsie Bailey - The Rummer Hotel, UK
   
• Ben Rojo - Angel’s Share, USA

All 15 finalists are now preparing to jet off to Shanghai for a four-day experience that will incorporate key challenges and workshops with the industry’s best, including Naren Young, Head Bartender at Dante in New York City and Chris Lowder, Head Bartender at the Four Seasons in Seoul. Naren and Chris will be joined on the judging panel by industry legend Dre Masso, Founder of Akademi in Bali, and Leo Robitschek, Bar Director of New York’s Eleven Madison Park and the NoMad Hotel Bar, where they will judge competitors on their bartending talent and ability to lead, mentor and inspire a team.

Max Warner, Global Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal comments: "The announcement of the global finalists always marks a build of anticipation for the Chivas Masters Global Final – a time at which excitement for the competition hits fever pitch. Our national champions have impressed us so far but now have the opportunity to represent their countries alongside one of the world’s most prestigious Scotch brands and, by doing so, ensure their future as a top-class bartender. We can’t wait to witness the start of this incredible journey in Shanghai."

Collaboration at the Global Final will be rewarded this year by granting a winning team, formed at the competition – the Chivas Masters Collective – a once in a lifetime trip to the Tales of the Cocktail 2016 in New Orleans. A further prize will be awarded to the 2016 Global Chivas Master, who will earn a bespoke trip to one of the world’s most iconic bars in a city of their choice to create a signature Chivas cocktail as their lasting contribution to the global competition.

If you fancy trying your hand at creating a Chivas Regal cocktail yourself you will find the current Chivas Regal whisky range available from these specialist Whisky Shops
 

• UK Shops
   
• USA Shops
   
• European Shops
  

Whisky Focus