Havana Club Gap Year

Following months of competition, the winner of the inaugural Havana Club Gap Year adventure in named.

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imageJulián Medina, the winner of the first edition of the Havana Club Gap Year, has set off on a year-long trip around the world, courtesy of Havana Club, arriving in Cuba this month for his first experience of the Havana way of life.

During his time in Cuba, Colombian chef and restaurant owner Medina had the opportunity to refine his cocktail-making skills with some of the country’s top bartenders, including Alejandro Bolívar from El Floridita. He was also given exclusive access to Havana Club’s distillery where he was taught how to craft authentic Cuban rum by the Maestros Roneros.

Over the course of his 365-day trip, Medina will visit 12 countries and live 12 unforgettable experiences – including mixing with leading Tokyo DJ’s, travelling across Canada with a jazz band, honing his photography skills in Buenos Aires, and exploring Russia, Mongolia and Chinaon aboard the Trans-Siberian Express with a travel writer.

Medina will be documenting his experience in each country with films and pictures, which will be posted on a Tumblr blog (the-havana-club-gap-year.tumblr.com/). Medina will also be posting news of his travels on Twitter (www.twitter.com/Julian_Medina).

Jérôme Cottin-Bizonne, Havana Club’s Managing Director, says: “We launched the Havana Club Gap Year competition with the aim of helping people to discover the world, experiencing each country the way it should be done, with the locals – an outlook on life that is very much at the heart of Havana Club’s brand essence.”

The Havana Club Gap Year competition has helped the brand connect with like-minded consumers around the world, attracting an impressive 350,000 new fans to its global Facebook page since the competition launched.

Don Q Mixology Challenge

‘Tis the season of cocktail competitions.  Don Q Rum and the United States Bartenders’ Guild announce the 2012 Mix It Up Ultimate Mixology Challenge.

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Serralles USA, exclusive distributors of Don Q Rum, proudly announce the launch of the “2012 Mix It Up Ultimate Mixology Challenge.” This multi-staged mixology competition in conjunction with the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) offers bartenders a chance to hone their skills in a competitive yet friendly environment.

The 2012 Mix It Up Ultimate Mixology Challenge kicked off in Connecticut on February 27th and will run through mid-May with Mix It Up challenges in 29 USBG chapters. USBG chapter markets include: Connecticut, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Cincinnati, Austin, Boston, Charleston, Dallas, Denver, Hawaii, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Mexico, New Orleans, San Francisco, Oregon, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Reno, Rhode Island, San Diego, Tampa Bay, Tucson.

The top mixologist from each chapter will win a trip to the Manhattan Cocktail Classic and a spot to compete in the 2012 Mix It Up Ultimate Mixology Finals at the Hotel Andaz in New York on May 12. Winners will ultimately be judged on taste, creativity and craftsmanship.

“Don Q Rum created the 2012 Mix It Up Ultimate Mixology Challenge as a way to support the mixology community across the country,” said John Eason, VP National Sales Manager at Serralles USA. “This year, members will mix up the Island’s Spirit by creating cocktails that capture the essence of Puerto Rico, using Serralles’ versatile portfolio. Don Q is the #1 premium rum on the island, and Don Q Anejo is a favorite among competitors.”

Five winners from the finals will be flown to Puerto Rico for a tour of the distillery and be featured in Don Q’s holiday mixology video.

Don Q is produced by Destileria Serralles Inc., in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and distributed by Serralles USA, Stamford, CT. Destileria Serralles’ portfolio includes: Don Q Cristal, Don Q Gold, Don Q Anejo, Don Q Gran Anejo, Don Q Limon, Don Q Coco, Don Q Mojito, BlackBeard Spiced Rum and Palo Viejo. Its flagship brand, Don Q Cristal, is the #1 premium rum on the island, where more than 70% of the rum consumed in the US is produced. 

The USBG is the largest network of professional bartenders in the U.S. who come together to share the craft of mixology. With over 60 years of presence in the United States and International coverage in affiliation with the International Bartender’s Association (IBA) in over 50 countries, the United States Bartenders’ Guild is setting the standard for the profession throughout the country. 

Shingo Wins Bacardi Comp

New York’s Shingo Gokan tops a field of 26 of the world’s best bartenders to win this year’s Bacardi Global Legacy Cocktail Competition.

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United States Bartender Shingo Gokan from New York City is the winner of the 2012 BACARDI Global Legacy Cocktail Competition (BGLCC) hosted by BACARDI. Gokan emerged from a field of 26 international bartenders to compete against eight finalists in a spectacular finale which took place at the BACARDI distillery near San Juan, Puerto Rico. His elegant cocktail “Speak Low” won the top prize.

Gokan, who was overwhelmed with emotion following his selection as winner said “this is the best week I’ve ever had, this is the best night I ever had, thank you so much.”

He was the final competitor of the night and he left the audience in tears as he shared his personal story of not being able to return to his friends and family at home in Japan when the earthquake struck in 2011. His drink and its presentation were inspired by his grandmother’s Japanese tea ceremony.

“It was everything about Shingo, the simplicity of the drink, his abilities behind the bar and his emotional connection with the audience, he made us all cry,” said BACARDI Global brand ambassador David Cordoba.

Gokan completed his cocktail with just 15 seconds left in the allocated ten minutes, and in a gesture symbolic of the camaraderie among bartenders in the competition, his fellow competitors leapt up to help him clear his bar so he wouldn’t be penalized for exceeding the time limit.  As part of his prize Gokan will visit the BACARDI distillery in Mexico, as well as travel to five different countries to present his drink.

The competition was judged by an international panel of industry influentials including two BACARDI master blenders, Maestro de Ron, Jose Sanchez Gavito and Maestro de Ron, Luis Planas. They were joined by BACARDI Global Brand Ambassador David Cordoba, ‘Ambassador of Aloha’ Stanislav Vdrna and 2011 BGLCC winner, Marc Bonneton of France.

“Speak Low,” Gokan’s legacy cocktail, will now sit alongside some truly iconic drinks like the Original BACARDI Cuba Libre, Original BACARDI Daiquiri and the Authentic Mojito Cocktail. Winning the BGLCC is the chance of a lifetime for the bartender.  Last year’s winner, Marc Bonneton of France, understands more than anyone the significance of being the best from thousands of entries, “It’s a big competition and it means a lot to win,” said Bonneton.

The eight finalists were whittled down from a group of 26 truly talented bartenders from around the world who spent a week in Puerto Rico learning about the history of BACARDI rum, visiting the BACARDI Rum Distillery in Catano, Puerto Rico, sharing their skills and techniques with fellow mixologists, and learning bartending philosophies and expertise from some of the industry’s most influential tastemakers.

This year’s competition is part of global celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Bacardi and its legendary BACARDI rum. Throughout 2012, the family-owned company will commemorate this historical landmark with a series of one-of-a-kind parties and special promotions.

‘Speak Low’ Cocktail
1 part BACARDI Superior Rum
1 part BACARDI Solera Rum
1/2 part Osborne Pedro Ximinez Sherry
1 tsp Matcha tea and zest of yuzu fruit

Mix the BACARDI Superior rum and Matcha tea with a Matcha whisk in a glass tumbler. Strain into a shaker and add BACARDI Solera and the sherry. Hard shake and double strain into old fashioned cocktail glass.  Spray of yuzu zest on the top. 

Angostura Cocktail Challenge

Following a series of qualifying rounds, Angostura hosted their Global Cocktail Competition in Trinidad to crown this year’s mixology grand champion.

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Mixologists from the US, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Russia, China, South Africa, Malaysia, India, South America, the Caribbean and Trinidad and Tobago gathered in Port of Spain earlier this month for the final round of the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge.

An all-star judging panel was assembled for the event including American celebrity mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, Hine Cognac Cellar Master Eric Forget, Master Mixologist Jacob Briars, Executive Director Technical Operations at Angostura, Vidia Persad-Doodnath and 2011 Angostura cocktail champion winner Andy Griffiths.  They were faced with the challenging task of scoring all 30 original cocktails to find the new mixology champion and the competition was said to have been closest they’d ever witnessed.

Each contestant was asked to create two original cocktails, one for the rum category and one for the freestyle category. The cocktails were sampled by each of the judges and awarded points for Appearance, Aroma, Taste and Presentation.

When the dust settled, American mixologist David Delaney Jr. was the winner of the freestyle category and overall 2012 contest champion.  He took home a $10,000 prize and a year-long contract as Angostura’s Global Brand Ambassador.  Second place, and winner of the rum cocktail category, went to Rikki Carter from New Zealand with Jamaal Bowen from the Caribbean (Barbados) placing third.

Vidia Persad-Doodnath commented on this year’s event: “Now in its 5th year, the competition gets tougher every year and 2012 was no exception. The creativity and technical ability from our finalists was very impressive. It was a very close final but in the end David was crowned the winner.

Alex Thomas, Senior Manger of Sales and Marketing for the Americas, also commented: “This 2012 Cocktail Challenge is by far the largest in the history of the competition. With 15 mixologists spanning the globe, we have definitely created some hype and excitement about the brand. We are certain the word will spread and the 2013 competition will be an even bigger event”.

The winner David Delaney Jr. said: “This has been such an amazing experience for me. To compete against some of the world’s best mixologists is a real honour, the competition was fierce. I’m really looking forward to the year ahead as Brand Ambassador for Angostura and teaching people about the uniqueness of this amazing brand.”

Five Island Fizz (winner of the rum cocktail category)

1 ½ oz Angostura 5 Year Gold Rum
¾ oz Velvet Falernum
½ oz Fresh squeezed lime juice
¼ oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
1 ½ oz Ginger Beer
5 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters


Team Cocktail Turns 1!

Happy 1st birthday to our friends at Team Cocktail.  Be sure to check out all of the cool contests and giveaways they have planned to celebrate this milestone.

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I would argue that Team Cocktail is more than just a booze inspired clothing line, it’s a lifestyle.  We’ve had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with the TC crew on several occasions and they definitely practice what they preach.  FUN people!!  Be sure to swing by their Facebook page and website to help celebrate their first birthday.  You could win a shopping spree, party pack or other cool prizes just for showing up.  Here’s more…

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Our 1 year anniversary is quickly approaching, 20 days to be exact! We’re really excited at Team Cocktail Headquarters and have planned lots of fun contests, discounts and more to thank all of you for your support over the past year.  

Our first announcement comes today…are you ready for this?  We’re going to be giving away a $250 shopping spree to www.teamcocktail.com!!  I know!  Think of how many t-shirts, hats, koozies, boardshorts…you could get for $250!!  So make sure you enter and tell all your friends!  To be eligible we encourage you to be a fan of our Facebook Page because that is how we are receiving entries.  Click on the link below for your chance to win.

SWEEPSTAKES

Grand Prize:

$250 Shopping Spree to www.teamcocktail.com

2nd Prize:

Ultimate Team Cocktail Party Pack – includes: Team Cocktail t-shirt, hat, slap kookie party pack, bottle opener & 2 pack of Last Round Hangover Support.

3rd Prize: 

Starter Team Cocktail Party Pack – includes: Team Cocktail t-shirt, hat and slap kookie.

ENTER TO WIN!!

This is just one of the MANY exciting things we have coming up so stay tuned to Facebook, Twitter, our blog and the VIP email club for more announcements.  Let’s just say shopping www.teamcocktail.com has never been so fun!  

**HINT: Make sure you are a member of our VIP Email Club to get even more special offers than everyone else is receiving on Facebook and Twitter.  Plus you’ll be the first to know about all our upcoming contests (yep, there’s more), discount codes and giveaways!  You can sign up on our homepage at www.teamcocktail.com.

 

And the Winner is…

Tommy Bahama has announced that Jack Terry of Key West, FL is the winner of the first-ever Rumologist search.  Well done Jack.  Congrats!!
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Jack Terry Wins Rumologist Search
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After more than three months of competition and thousands of votes cast via Facebook, Tommy Bahama is excited to announce that Jack Terry from Key West, FL is the first-ever Rumologist.  What began as a nationwide search, soon narrowed down to a Top 20 then Top 10, and finally a group of five very worthy finalists from across the country vying for the coveted new title. The finalists in the competition all submitted an additional video making their final plea for the title, and then Tommy Bahama let the voting public determine the eventual winner. 
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“This was an incredibly exciting experience for us, as well as very rewarding to see the voting public get involved and excited along the way,” explains Rob Goldberg, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Restaurants for Tommy Bahama. “We embarked on this journey with the hope that we would truly find an individual which embodied everything we wanted in our Rumologist, and with Jack Terry, we found him…and we thank all the contestants for their interest and enthusiasm.  Each of the finalists was amazing, so we knew we would come out a winner no matter who was chosen.” 
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Now that Jack Terry has become the Tommy Bahama Rumologist, he will begin to experience the unique lifestyle and adventure that can only come from the company with the motto: Make Life One Long Weekend. “We plan on having our Rumologist share his love, passion and knowledge about rum with not only our team, but the public at large,” adds Goldberg.  “We will get to work immediately creating new rum-inspired cocktails, culinary pairings and hosting events at our locations across the country with Jack as the host.”

First up on the Rumologist itinerary will be a trip to Las Vegas the end of October where the Rumologist will take part in a Tommy Bahama Las Vegas rum & cigar event. Additionally, with the holidays quickly approaching, the Rumologist will begin working with the Tommy Bahama culinary team to help create distinctive holiday cocktails and rum pairing menus to be featured at its 13 restaurant locations (New York City flagship restaurant set to open in fall 2012).  Also on tap will be the launch of the Tommy Bahama Rumologist Blog – a place where rum-lovers can follow Jack’s adventures and travels, as well as learn about rum, information on Tommy Bahama cocktails and news and information on upcoming events and rum happenings.

“Tommy Bahama says that life is one long weekend and that’s how I live my life,” says Jack Terry, the new Tommy Bahama Rumologist. “I’m just trying to promote that type of lifestyle and I’m lucky enough to live it.  This is something I’ve been training for my entire life.  Anyone can study rum, but it’s the joy of living the carefree lifestyle that makes me different; that’s my lifeline – it’s what I’ve been doing, and now I can create a whole new generation of rum drinkers.  It’s amazing to think I can influence others as the new Tommy Bahama Rumologist.”

Since launching the Rumologist search, over 13,000 new people are now following Tommy Bahama on Facebook.  “We are so excited to have so many new people following us on Facebook,” notes Goldberg.  “It is critical to keep growing our audience and engaging our guests with exciting news, events and lifestyle options.  This search for the Rumologist has shown us how important it is to engage our fans. We hope to use this experience as a spring-board for many exciting new distinctive and unique social media initiatives.”

Rumologist Top 5

From a nationwide search to a Top 20 then Top 10 – now the Final 5 Tommy Bahama Rumologist hopefuls have been announced and voting is in full swing!

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After reviewing the Top 10 applicants’ new videos and essays, the judging panel had a difficult choice based on the amazing array of talent, personality and creativity to choose from.  However, a decision has been made, and the Top 5 who hail from Osprey, FL to Orange, CA to Seattle, WA to Key West, FL to Los Angeles, CA., will now vie for the $50,000 and the title of Tommy Bahama Rumologist.  

The Finalists are posted on the Tab within the Tommy Bahama Facebook Page for public voting which began yesterday and continues through October 10th. There will be a limit of one vote per person per day. The Finalist who receives the highest number of votes in the Final Round will be determined as the Grand Prize Winner.

The Top 5 Tommy Bahama Rumologist Contestants are as follows (in no particular order).

Carlton Grooms-Osprey, FL

Matthew Robold-Orange, CA

Kathy Casey-Seattle, WA

Jack Terry-Key West, FL

Phil Thompson-Los Angeles, CA

Since launching the Rumologist search, over 12,000 new people are now following Tommy Bahama on Facebook.  “The search has been a great way for Tommy Bahama to connect to our fans and friends and we have been amazed at the response,” notesRob Goldberg, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Restaurants for Tommy Bahama.  “We believe that any one of these five remaining applicants would make a terrific Tommy Bahama Rumologist winner, and we are excited to see who the public chooses. Once selected, the Rumologist winner will not only receive $50,000, they will become an important part of our team.  We look forward to continuing our quest of being the foremost experts on rum, as well as the purveyors of amazing rum cocktails.” 

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We’re pleased to report that two very good friends of Rum Connection have made the Rumologist Top 5.  Stay tuned for more about Matt Robold and Carl Grooms.

Tommy’s Top 10

After receiving hundreds of applications from across the country, Tommy Bahama announces ten finalists in the search for their first-ever Rumologist.
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Tommy Bahama Rumologist Search Continues with Ten Finalists
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When the Top 20 finalists were announced for the first-ever Tommy Bahama Rumologist Search on August 30th, the online public voting began and the Tommy Bahama Facebook page was instantly flooded with friends/family and rum lovers voting for their favorite applicant.  Today, Tommy Bahama proudly announces the Top 10 finalists who are now one-step closer to being awarded the title of Rumologist and the $50,000 Grand Prize.
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The Top 10 Tommy Bahama Rumologist Contestants are as follows (in no particular order).
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1.    Matthew Robold 
Orange, CA 
2.    Carlton Grooms 
Osprey, FL 
3.    Brice Ginardi 
Kailua Kona, HI 
4.    Phil Thompson 
Los Angeles, CA 
5.    Robert Rimavicus 
Pompano Beach, FL 
6.    Kathy Casey 
Seattle, WA 
7.    Jack Terry 
Key West, FL 
8.    Jeremy Votava 
Chico, CA 
9.    Adam Kanter 
Sicklerville, NJ 
10.  David Phillips 
Tampa Bay, FL 
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“We are thrilled with the Top 10, and it has been exciting to watch the social media interaction take place in real time,” notes Rob Goldberg, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Restaurants for Tommy Bahama.  “There is no doubt in my mind that one of these 10 finalists will make a great first-ever Tommy Bahama Rumologist.” 
 
Each of the contestants has now been invited to participate in the next round, which will involve submitting both a new video and a new personal statement.  The judging panel will narrow the field to the Top 5 and the public will once again vote for their favorite Rumologist with the winner being announced on or around October 6, 2011.
 
Stay tuned!
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Vote for Adam!!

Rum Bar owner and well-known cane spirits aficionado, Adam Kanter, is in the Tommy Bahama Rumoligist finals!!  Read our interview, then go vote!!

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How and when did you become interested in rum?

I suppose my first trip to the Caribbean had to be the start. On a family cruise, my mom booked me an excursion to the Bacardi tour in San Juan and the Malibu tour in Barbados. I was so excited to learn how it was made! I was just a 20 year old bartender at this point. When I got home, I immediately bought a water distillation unit, some molasses and yeast. After all, thats all I needed, according to the Malibu tour. Despite its epic failure, I was hooked!

How many rums are in your collection? (your personal collection and at the bar)

At Rum Bar, we have just surpassed 200 rums, with about 20-25 new rums expected in the next month. Personally I own 60 bottles give-or-take. I make sure to stock different rums at home than the bar. About 30 of these I will touch very rarely, as I’ve got an impossible-to-replace collection of Japanese rums. (Impossible because my brother broke up with my mule; his Japanese girlfriend, last year)

What is your favorite rum (or rums) in each category and why?

-Like asking Stan Lee his favorite comic book hero… I love rums from Trinidad, Guyana, and Venezuela. Their rums always have so much depth and personality. Like the Angostura for instance– so delicious! Any time I pour it for a guest, I need to pour myself one too. Diplomatico, Santa Teresa, El Dorado are great, so is Zacapa, Dos Maderas, and all of the Plantation Barbados offerings… My favorite light-bodied rum would probably be DonQ Gran Anejo. Despite a preference for heavier, sweeter rums, there is something about a rum with so much maturity and so much lightness and purity. It’s a unique rum!

Do you have a favorite rum bar? (silly question, I know)

I’ve only been to a handful of other real rum bars. Owning Rum Bar, you learn to differentiate between a rum bar and a bar with a good rum selection. Some places may have 50-60 rums, but if you see dust on the bottles or notice bottle labels or designs that haven’t existed in 8 years, perhaps they are not a rum bar. With this criteria, I have only been to one real rum bar, and that would be Cotton’s in the UK. They have so many rums and nowhere to put ’em. You might see a bottle of El Dorado 25 next to the Wray and Nephew. Places I’d like to check out include Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco and the Rum Bar at the Speakeasy Inn in Key West.

What is your regular cocktail?

-Not gonna lie, its a rum and diet coke. If I want to guzzle large amounts of rum, this is what I drink. Long nights at the bar lead me to this quite often! Now if I am at a bar with a good rum selection, bring on a daiquiri!

Where is the best place to buy rum in your area?

Definitely not in Pennsylvania. Being a controlled liquor state, the best they’ve got on their shelves is Zaya, Zacapa, Pyrat, Oronoco, and MGXO. Lucky for me, in my hometown of Sicklerville, NJ, I shop at King’s Liquors. The owner there will order me anything in his order book. Ive been able to add some odd rums to my collection this way.

Which rum would you travel to buy?

Tanduay is a tasty light rum I enjoy. My wife’s family is Philipino and travel there often. I try to have a bottle at home at all times (though I’m out now). I understand they finally got an importer for the US. Once this happens, then my answer becomes St. Nicholas Abbey. Worth the price!

Tell us about Rum Bar?

Rum Bar is a small little bar nestled in the swank Rittenhouse area of Philadelphia. Our drink menu (Rum Anthology as we call it) is 16 pages, chock full of 200+ rums, 40+ cocktails, recipes, and a glossary for rum and cocktail terms. While we are most known for our killer mojitos, it’s our Daiquiri menu I am most proud of. Nine different takes on the original. We just introduced our Tiki Cocktail menu, 10 Tiki drinks… some original, some re-makes, and some traditional cocktails.

Words of wisdom….

Don’t come into Rum Bar and order a well vodka & water. We respect your drinking beliefs, whether it be tequila, scotch, or beer… but c’mon… Vodka? Well Vodka? Well Vodka with Water? You know who you are…

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NOW GO MAKE ADAM THE NEXT TOMMY BAHAMA RUMOLOGIST!!!  CLICK HERE TO VOTE.

Rumologist Finals

A few of our personal friends and drinking buddies have been chosen as finalists in the Tommy Bahama Rumologist search.  Be sure to show them your support.
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When Tommy Bahama speaks, people listen.  The well known casual clothing line and restaurant chain put out a call for applications for a staff rum expert position and received hundreds of video resumes.  The list has been narrowed to 20 finalists and 4 very good friends of Rum Connection made the cut.  Be sure to vote for our friends Adam Kanter, Matt Robold, Luis Ayala and Carl Grooms.  
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Here’s more from the peeps at Tommy B…..
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Since Tommy Bahama’s announcement of the first-ever Tommy Bahama Rumologist Search, the Tommy Bahama Rumologist application page has been flooded with thousands of fans and would-be Rumologists seeking to learn more about the contest, with many hoping to someday hold this coveted title! Today, Tommy Bahama is excited to announce the Top 20 contestants from across the country, each of whom is now one step closer to becoming the First Ever Tommy Bahama Rumologist!

The Top 20 Tommy Bahama Rumologist Contestants are as follows (in no particular order).
1.    Matthew Robold
Orange, CA
2.    Carlton Grooms
Osprey, FL
3.    Luis Ayala
Round Rock, TX
4.    Adam Kanter
Sicklerville, NJ
5.    Phil Thompson
Los Angeles, CA
6.    Robert Rimavicus
Pompano Beach, FL
7.    Scott Siegel
Ormond Beach, FL
8.    Kathy Casey
Seattle, WA
9.    J.R. Starkus
Las Vegas, NV
10.  Jack Terry
Key West, FL
11.  Gene Thompson
Albuquerque, NM
12.  Jeremy Votava
Chico, CA
13.  David Johnson
Tempe, AZ
14.  Nicholas Pilavakis
Colonia, NJ
15.  Brice Ginardi
Kailua Kona, HI
16.  Adam Stone
Sparks, NV
17.  David Phillips
Tempe, AZ
18.  Doug Smith
Chuluota, FL
19.  Joshua Hein
Corona Del Mar, CA
20.  Jessica Fesler
Las Vegas, NV
 
Links to the submission videos can be found at the Tommy Bahama Facebook page.

Although the contestants’ styles range from island cool to professorial to master mixologist, every contestant has proven that they deserve a spot on this prestigious Top 20 list!   From August 30, 2011 through September 8, 2011, the public will have an opportunity to help in choosing the first Tommy Bahama Rumologist by voting for their favorite Rumologist contestant online. After tabulating the votes and the combined scores from the judging panel, the Top 10Finalists will be announced on or around September 12, 2011.  Each of the contestants will then be invited to participate in the next round, which will involve submitting both a new video and a new personal statement.  The judging panel will narrow the field to the Top 5 and the public will once again vote for their favorite Rumologist with the winner being announced on or around October 6, 2011.

“We are so excited by all of the applications and enthusiasm …they are original and distinctive, and the applicants are all extremely talented,” explains Rob Goldberg, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Restaurants for Tommy Bahama.  “This search has proved that there are many people who share our passion for rum and the island lifestyle.  We are excited now to share these submissions with the public and engage in the social media component of the search.”


Rumologist Search

Do you know the difference between a swizzle and a shrubb?  Do you dream of Mojitos?  If so, Tommy Bahama has an opportunity for you!

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Tommy Bahama Seeks Rum Expert

Tommy Bahama has announced the search for the first-ever Tommy Bahama Rumologist™.   They are scouring the country via a distinctive social media campaign seeking to find the person most worthy of this new title. “A Rumologist is a person with a vast knowledge of all things related to rum – one that can pour, educate, mix and create island-inspired cocktails for Tommy Bahama,” explains Rob Goldberg, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Restaurants for Tommy Bahama.  “The person we are looking for must embody everything that a Tommy Bahama Rumologist should be about,” adds Goldberg.  “They must not only love to create cocktails and put new twists on old recipes, but he or she must be so passionate about rum, that this person alone could claim this new title.”

As with most titles, this one comes with some great perks: A $50,000 Grand Prize, life-long bragging rights for being the first Rumologist, a Tommy Bahama wardrobe and become the brand’s chief rum consultant and rum ambassador for the next year.  Additionally, the Rumologist will help to create tantalizing new cocktails and rum-inspired menus for the world to enjoy at each Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar location.

When chosen, the Rumologist may travel to locations in Southern California, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Florida, New York and beyond. He or she will work closely with the Tommy Bahama culinary team to develop the most distinctive, handcrafted rum drinks to pair with Tommy Bahama’s island-inspired culinary creations.  The Rumologist will help to launch new rum programs in each of the Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar locations (currently at 13, including the Las Vegas location, which boasts the largest rum collection in Las Vegas with over 185 different varieties). Additionally, the newly anointed Rumologist will make media appearances, host events and share his or her adventures and knowledge with the world via an informative and compelling Rumologist blog.  In essence, the new Rumologist for Tommy Bahama will get $50,000 for being the world’s top authority on rum (and get to travel to some amazing locations in the process).

To enter the search, Tommy Bahama is looking for established bartenders, mixologists and anyone that believes they have what it takes to hold and honor the title.  All participants will be asked to create a short video (45-60 seconds max) declaring their candidacy and explain why they should be chosen to be the Rumologist. The expert team on-hand at Tommy Bahama will view all applications and announce a winner on/or around October 6, 2011.  The search will take place on the Tommy Bahama Facebook page.  Here are a few of the details.

•July 28, 2011:  Search launches – applications available on the Tommy Bahama Facebook page.  Deadline for submissions:  August 22, 2011.

•August 29, 2011:  Judges select Top 20 based on their scoring.

•August 30, 2011:  Top 20 announced.

•August 30 – September 8, 2011:  Top 20 will be posted for public voting based on first video submission.

•September 12, 2011:  The Top 10 who received the most votes will be asked to submit a new video.

oVideo can be up to two minutes in length and must be posted no later than September 22, 2011 at 11:59 PM.ET.

oApplicants will be encouraged to be as creative as they would like to showcase why they should be the Rumologist.

•September 26, 2011:  Top 5 is announced and voting commences.

•October 3, 2011:  Voting period for Top 5 ends.

•October 6, 2011:  Winner Announced (on or around October 6, 2011).

“This is an amazing opportunity for someone to not only take their career to the next level, but to experience the Tommy Bahama way-of-life,” explains Goldberg.  “Our goal with this search is to not only find the world’s first Tommy Bahama Rumologist; it is to also introduce thousands of people to the Tommy Bahama island-inspired lifestyle.  Career-building opportunities are tough to come by these days, and we believe we’ve created the most exciting consultant position in the world.  We can’t wait to discover our first Rumologist.”

The Winning Pina Colada

USBG announces the winners of the Bacardi sponsored Pina Colada Competition held last week at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans.

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Debbi Peek Wins With “No Passport Required”

Tales of the Cocktail hosted the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) Pina Colada Competition on July 22, 2011, in New Orleans, challenging 17 of the world’s best bartenders from across the country to create an original version of a Pina Colada recipe. Sponsored by BACARDI Rums and In the Mix Magazine, the event urged participants to take their bar tools and shake up new takes on this classic drink.

This storied cocktail was turned over to finalists representing their respective USBG chapters from the following locations: Austin; Chicago; Cincinnati; Connecticut; Denver; Hawaii; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Miami; Milwaukee; New Orleans; New York; North Texas; Northern California; Philadelphia; Phoenix; and St. Louis.

Pina Colada Champion Winners:

1st Place Judges’ Choice — Debbi Peek from Chicago created the “No Passport Required”  

1st Place People’s Choice — Matt Myers from Las Vegas created the “Thai Pina Colada”  

As the first place Judges’ Choice champion, Debbi Peek of Chicago received a one-of-a-kind trophy, along with a check for $1,500 and a spot at the World Cocktail Competition in Warsaw, Poland (compliments of USBG). Debbi’s cocktail, “No Passport Required” was praised for its technical precision and complimentary flavors.  

The People’s Choice winner, Matt Myers, Las Vegas received the majority vote of the 550 attendees at the competition and a one-of-a-kind trophy to commemorate the win. Matt’s cocktail, “Thai Pina Colada,” was applauded for its unique presentation — the Thai-inspired cocktail was perfectly paired with spicy cashews to create an ultimate flavor experience.

“The goal of the USBG Pina Colada competition at Tales of the Cocktail was to inspire today’s generation of bartenders to re-imagine this classic cocktail and take it forward into the second golden age of cocktails,” said Ann Tuennerman, founder of Tales of the Cocktail.  “The winning cocktails had true balance and complexity of flavor and deserve their place in history along side the Original Pina Colada.”

“As the largest network of professional bartenders and mixologists, the USBG was honored to work with BACARDI and In the Mix Magazine on an event that brings together the trade community and celebrates the craft of mixology,” said David Nepove, president, United States Bartenders’ Guild. “The bartenders invited to compete set the standard for the profession across the country and we were thrilled with enthusiasm this group showed using BACARDI rum to reinvent the Piña Colada.”

“In 1862, in the city of Santiago de Cuba, Don Facundo Bacardi revolutionized the spirits industry when he created BACARDI Superior Rum,” said Toby Whitmoyer, vice president and brand managing director of rums at Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.  “Since then, BACARDI has become recognized as the world’s most mixable and sociable spirit, bringing people together around the best cocktails and best experiences.  The Pina Colada is a key part of that legacy and it’s amazing to see these talented bartenders carry that legacy forward with their new takes of this legendary drink.”

Dan Dunn, a.k.a. “The Imbiber,” served as the evening’s host.  The panel of judges featured some of the foremost authorities on cocktails.  Technical judges included: USBG National President David Nepove, USBG National Past President Livio Lauro, and Best Technical Performance at the National 2009 USBG Cocktail Contest winner Ronaldo Colli. Tasting judges included: USBG Vice President Aaron Gregory Smith, BACARDI Brand Master Juan Coronado, BACARDI Brand Master David Cid, BACARDI Global Brand Ambassador David Cordoba and Managing Editor of In the Mix Magazine Mike Maven.

Bartenders were judged according to the following criteria: technical skills and presentation; appearance; aroma; balance of flavors; taste; creativity; and the overall appeal of character. All participants were required to use rum as the base spirit and BACARDI Superior Rum, the original, mixable light-bodied clear rum was preferred. A preliminary group of judges, consisting of members from USBG National and Tales of the Cocktail, voted on the best qualifying round recipes for each chapter.

Appleton Remixology

Appleton Estate prepares for the 2011 edition of their Remixology Cocktail Competition.  Here are the details with a look back at some of the 2010 action.

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Calling All Bartenders…

There are ‘cocktail competitions’ and then there are COCKTAIL COMPETITIONS!!!  Appleton Estate Remixology has quickly become one of the biggest and best contests in the country drawing competitors from coast to coast.  Some of the nation’s top bartenders mix up their most original drinks for a chance at a pretty amazing grand prize, an expense paid trip to Jamaica….and serious bragging rights, of course.

In its second year, the Appleton Estate Remixology competition is being met with serious anticipation as the competition is sure to be fierce.  If you’re not familiar with Remixology, here’s the deal, Appleton Estate Rum has challenged mixologists to create a new and original Appleton Rum-based cocktail that is inspired by their favorite song.  Simple, right?  Wrong.  As it turns out, mixologists from a number of the finest cocktail bars in the country participate and create some mind-blowing drinks.  The stakes are high and this is sure to be a battle to the finish, to say the least.  Here’s a quick look at some of the action from the 2010 finals in New York.

John Mayer from Craigie on Main in Boston won a spot to the Remixology Finals with his drink – Opportunity to Live High.  The use of Miller High Life as an ingredient in a rum drink definitely gets our vote for most creative.  Well done, John.

[youtube width=”650″ height=”400″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EAKGU_iyVE[/youtube]

An interesting drink called All That and a Bag of Chips was the creation of Florida Roon bartender, Adam Delgiudice.  Looks like a wonderful drink and his choice for glassware surely makes a statement.

[youtube width=”650″ height=”400″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thsV38U_Fpg[/youtube]

In the end, Brian Miller won the whole thing with the Diver’s Delight, a beautiful combination of Appleton Estate Reserve Rum, Evan Williams Single Barrel, Don’s Gardenia Mix, Orange Juice, Lime Juice and a dash of Angostura Bitters…..his showmanship didn’t hurt either.

[youtube width=”650″ height=”400″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw-Haczj7Z0[/youtube]

So, if you think you’ve got what it takes, get on over to Appleton and register for the 2011 Remixology.  But hurry, you must submit your drink by July 27th.

Pina Colada Comp @ Tales

Tales of the Cocktail is set to host the US Bartenders Guild-BACARDI Pina Colada Competition next month in New Orleans.  Here’s the scoop.

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If you like Pina Coladas, you’re going to dig this.  The United States Bartenders Guild, BACARDI Rum and In the Mix Magazine are organizing a drinks competition to be held next month at Tales of the Cocktail to see which mixologist can whip up the best Piña Colada.

From humble beginnings at a hotel bar in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1954, the Piña Colada has become the flavor of the islands whether you’re on one or just wish you were. Now, this storied drink will be turned over to the world’s best bartenders at the USBG BACARDI Piña Colada Cocktail Competition. They’ll take to their bar tools to shake up new takes on this classic cocktail with one thing remaining the same – BACARDI – the rum this legendary cocktail was originally created with. The prize: title as champion of the Piña Colada and a spot at the World Cocktail Competition in Warsaw, Poland, compliments of USBG.

“The Piña Colada, as we know it, is about to get a makeover. Given the depth of talent in the Competition this year, I am certain we will be both entertained and amazed at the submissions,” said Paul G. Tuennerman, co-founder, Tales of the Cocktail.

The USBG BACARDI Piña Colada Competition at Tales of the Cocktail will be held in New Orleans on Friday, July 22 starting at 7:30 p.m. This year’s cocktail competition will have USBG chapter members from across the country shaking their way to victory as 18 chapter members compete against each other with their original Piña Coladas.

A preliminary group of judges, consisting of members from USBG National and Tales of the Cocktail, have voted on the best qualifying round recipes for each chapter.  One representative from each chapter will be flown to New Orleans, courtesy of USBG, to compete in the final competition.

In New Orleans, the 18 participating USBG chapter winners will compete at the USBG BACARDI Piña Colada Competition.  Each competitor will be evaluated on appearance, aroma, taste, creativity and the overall appeal of their cocktail.  An esteemed group of judges will select the overall competition winner and all cocktail enthusiasts attending the main event will have the chance to cast their ballot for the “People’s Choice” winner.

Both champions will be announced and awarded on Friday, July 22, 2011. Each champion will receive a one-of-a-kind trophy, and the judge’s choice champion will receive a check for $1,500.00 and earn a spot at the World Cocktail Competition in Warsaw, Poland, compliments of USBG.

For more information on Tales of the Cocktail 2011 and tickets, visit www.TalesoftheCocktail.com.

Malibu Wants You

Hot on the heels of having their fan base select its next flavor, Malibu Rum is now allowing them to potentially create its advertising.

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If you’ve ever wanted to be in the director’s seat, now is your chance. Malibu Cranberry-Cherry, chosen by fans to be Malibu’s newest flavor addition, is searching for an inspired individual to play art director and create advertising that will introduce the product to the world.

The Malibu “Make a Splash” challenge asks creative thinkers across the nation to break out their cameras, video gear or smart phones to create an original and inspiring advertisement that reflects their take on their newest flavor A grand prize of $20,000 is at stake for the advertisement that wins over the Malibu judges and $5,000 for the one that wins over the fans.

Six months ago, Malibu held the “Malibu U Choose” sweepstakes, in which Malibu fans across the country were asked to visit the brand’s Facebook page to select between Citrus, Cranberry-Cherry and Mint as the newest Malibu flavor. An immediate favorite, Cranberry-Cherry received thousands of votes from the public, making it a permanent addition to the Malibu portfolio. With the “Make a Splash” contest, the company will once again allow the creative decisions to be shaped by the people who matter most: the fans.

“Our fans know what kind of advertising captures their attention and interest, so this time we’re challenging them to use their creativity and artistic abilities to inspire us,” said Sheila Senhouse, Brand Manager for Malibu at Pernod Ricard USA. “We’re excited to see how Malibu lovers plan to speak to fellow fans through these creations.”

Through July 18, participants aged 21 and over can submit a video and/or print advertisement by visiting MalibuCranberryCherry.com and uploading their work. The winning advertisement and the fan favorite will be announced by Malibu the week of August 1. The fan favorite will win $5,000 and will be determined by Facebook users who visit the website during the submission period to vote for their favorite advertisement. Malibu will select the contest winner and award them with $20,000, along with the chance to use their work as an official Malibu advertisement.

Bermuda Getaway Winners

Following two months of contest entries, Barritt’s Ginger Beer announces the winners of their Bermuda Getaway contest.  Check out these great cocktails.

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Every year, Barritt’s Ginger Beer hosts a cocktail competition called the Barritt’s Bermuda Getaway.  The rules are simple – create the next great cocktail using Barritt’s Ginger Beer as one of the main ingredients.  The prize is sweet – an expense paid trip for two to Bermuda for a week of relaxing in the tropical sun.

Contest entries started rolling in months ago and there were some impressive recipes among them.  A group of five judges narrowed that list down to 3 finalists in both the consumer and retailer categories.  Representatives from Barritt’s, the judges, a bartender and the recipes all met last week in Miami for the final round of judging.  In the end, two fabulous new drinks won top prize and their creators won a trip to Bermuda.  Here are the winners.

Here Comes the Boom

Ingredients:

2.5 oz of Barritt’s Ginger Beer
.75 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz orange curacao
.75 oz falernum
1 oz navy rum
1 oz gold rum
1.5 oz grapefruit juice

Instructions: Shake all ingredients except ginger beer in a shaker with ice. Pour unstrained into a highball or double old-fashioned glass. Top with Barritt’s Ginger Beer.

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Bella Dona

Ingredients:

1 oz of Barritt’s Ginger Beer
1.5 oz dark rum
.5 oz amaretto
.5 oz orange juice
1 orange twist

Instructions: Add dark rum, amaretto and orange juice to an ice filled shaker.  Cover and shake until well chilled.  Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Top with Barritt’s Ginger Beer.  Garnish with an orange twist.

Malibu Correspondent

Calling All Sun Worshippers: Malibu Rum creates the ultimate summer gig for flip flop aficionados.  They announce their Radio Maliboom Correspondent search.

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Rum Correspondent to Host 10-City Station Invasion Concert Tour

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Do you dream of living the beach bum lifestyle?  Do you worship at the altar of sun, sand and surf?  Courtesy of Malibu, the best gig this summer isn’t in an office – it’s on the beach with a cocktail in hand and flip flops on your feet.  The perfect summer will be a reality for one outgoing guy or gal, when the iconic spirit launches a nationwide search for the Radio Maliboom Boom Correspondent. In this role, one fortunate individual will travel across the country attending concerts, reporting from the road, interviewing celebrities and celebrating the season of sun.

Get Your ‘Bu On As the Radio Maliboom Boom Correspondent

If you want to ditch your cubicle and hit the best beaches, bars or pools, then load up on sunscreen and get your Malibu game face on.  The Correspondent position was developed to find the emcee for the Station Invasion Concert Tour presented by Radio Maliboom Boom, a 10-city musical series which will bring the spirit of the Caribbean from coast to coast.  The Radio Maliboom Boom Correspondent will emcee the tour, introduce the musical acts and rally the nation to get their island on—Malibu style.

“We’re liberating one person from their dull routine to enjoy the summer of a lifetime,” said Anna Battiloro, Senior Brand Manager of Malibu. “This role requires someone who is outgoing, creative and passionate—someone who is capable of keeping our fans up to speed on the concert happenings, and who really knows how to engage a crowd.”

In addition to leading the party and rallying the nation, the Correspondent will be creating videos, blog posts, Facebook® updates and tweets. The selected applicant will also represent Malibu by conducting and participating in video, radio and media interviews across the nation, making for a most excellent summer stint.

Starting April 1, applications for the Radio Maliboom Boom Correspondent are being accepted online through May 15, 2011; those interested must be 25 and over, fill out an application and submit a video “reel” that creatively showcases why they should be chosen, incorporating three key messages about Malibu. Three finalists will attend training in Malibu’s homeland ofBarbados from June 20-23, 2011. The summer stipend for the Correspondent will be $15,000—and all the dancing they can handle.

More details on Malibu’s summer of fun, including the Correspondent search and summer cocktails, can be found at the Radio Maliboom Boom Correspondent website.  You can also receive more details by following Malibu on Twitter @Malibu_Rum.

Barritt’s Cocktail Contest

Barritt’s Ginger Beer invites you to try your hand at creating the next great Barritt’s cocktail.  The winning mixologist will win an expense paid trip to Bermuda.

North American Beverage Co., the importer and manufacturer of Barritt’s Ginger Beer in the United States, is sponsoring the second-annual Barritt’s Bermuda Getaway.

Barritt’s Bermuda Getaway is a contest that awards a free trip for two to Bermuda to the person who comes up with the best cocktail recipe that features Barritt’s Ginger Beer. There are two separate trips available: one for a retailer and one for a consumer. An independent panel of cocktail experts will decide Barritt’s Bermuda Getaway’s two winners.

Each winner will receive two airline tickets and hotel accommodations. The contest ends April 20. Contestants must be 21 years or older and currently living in the United States. The winners will be picked in early May 2011.

Entrants must submit their cocktail recipes (alcoholic and nonalcoholic) online at: http://www.barrittsgingerbeer.bm/recipe_contest/ . There is no limit to entries, so please come up with as many quality cocktails as you can. However, cocktails are judged individually, not on the quantity submitted by one participant.

They are looking for quality, creative cocktails from fans and friends that enjoy the taste of Barritt’s. Cocktail enthusiasts who submit recipes with hard-to-find products may not have the best chance of winning. We suggest contestants enter recipes using high-quality ingredients that can be found at well-respected grocery stores and liquor stores.

Barritt’s Ginger Beer is originally from Bermuda. The soft drink has been in existence since 1874 and is owned by the fifth generation of Barritt’s. For more information, please visit: http://www.barrittsgingerbeer.bm/.

North American Beverage Co. was founded in 1995 in Ocean City, NJ. The company also produces 3 other products: Havana Cappuccino, Flathead Lake Gourmet Soda, and Chocolate Moose.

For more information, please visit North American Beverage.

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Also check out the Barritt’s Blog for fun and frequent cocktail ramblings.

Barritt’s Bermuda Getaway

Barritt’s Ginger Beer invites you to try your hand at creating the next great Barritt’s cocktail.  The winning mixologist will win an expense paid trip to Bermuda.

Barritt’s Ginger Beer’s ‘Bermuda Getaway’
Contest Offers Free Trip To Bermuda For Best
Cocktails Featuring Barritt’s Ginger Beer

North American Beverage Co., the importer and manufacturer of Barritt’s Ginger Beer in the United States, is sponsoring the second-annual Barritt’s Bermuda Getaway.

Barritt’s Bermuda Getaway is a contest that awards a free trip for two to Bermuda to the person who comes up with the best cocktail recipe that features Barritt’s Ginger Beer. There are two separate trips available: one for a retailer and one for a consumer. An independent panel of cocktail experts will decide Barritt’s Bermuda Getaway’s two winners.

Each winner will receive two airline tickets and hotel accommodations. The contest ends April 20. Contestants must be 21 years or older and currently living in the United States. The winners will be picked in early May 2011.

Entrants must submit their cocktail recipes (alcoholic and nonalcoholic) online at: http://www.barrittsgingerbeer.bm/recipe_contest/ . There is no limit to entries, so please come up with as many quality cocktails as you can. However, cocktails are judged individually, not on the quantity submitted by one participant.

They are looking for quality, creative cocktails from fans and friends that enjoy the taste of Barritt’s. Cocktail enthusiasts who submit recipes with hard-to-find products may not have the best chance of winning. We suggest contestants enter recipes using high-quality ingredients that can be found at well-respected grocery stores and liquor stores.

Barritt’s Ginger Beer is originally from Bermuda. The soft drink has been in existence since 1874 and is owned by the fifth generation of Barritt’s. For more information, please visit: http://www.barrittsgingerbeer.bm/.

North American Beverage Co. was founded in 1995 in Ocean City, NJ. The company also produces 3 other products: Havana Cappuccino, Flathead Lake Gourmet Soda, and Chocolate Moose.

For more information, please visit: http://www.northamericanbeverage.com/index_home.html

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Also check out the Barritt’s Blog for fun and frequent cocktail ramblings.

Bartender Comp 2011

The final round of WORLD CLASS 2011, an international bartending competition recognized as the Oscars of the industry, will be taking place in Delhi, India.

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Delhi Announced as Host City for Global Final

The highly anticipated final of WORLD CLASS 2011, an international bartending competition recognized as the Oscars of the industry, will be taking place in Delhi, India.

World Class is a global programme in its third year that celebrates the craft and skill of the bartender. An estimated 10,000 entrants across 39 markets from the most established and prestigious bars around the world will be shaking, pouring and stirring their way through their regional heats. Only the truly exceptional will win a coveted place to the prestigious final.

Some of the most renowned and respected names in the industry, including Salvatore Calabrese, Dale de Groff and Peter Dorelli, will be judging the global finalists who will be supported and advised by the 2010 winner, Erik Lorincz, Head Bartender at The Savoy, London.

Andrew Fell, Commercial Director, Diageo RESERVE, explains, “India is the perfect choice for the 2011 Global final. The Asia Pacific market is currently driving global wealth and India is spearheading growth in the luxury goods industry. We have a fantastic portfolio of luxury brands positioned to meet the demands of the growing cocktail culture evident in the increasing number of great bars found in this vibrant, international city.”

“We are truly privileged that WORLD CLASS is coming to India at a most opportune time. Diageo RESERVE is best placed to cater to the growing appetite for luxury brands in India, and we are excited about bringing to our customers the opportunity to witness the latest international trends and experiences,” says Roland Abella, Managing Director, Diageo India.

Over the course of the final, contestants will be creating cocktails with some of the finest spirits in the world from the Diageo Reserve portfolio – Ketel One(R) vodka, Ciroc(R) vodka, Tanqueray(R) No.TEN(TM) gin, Don Julio(R) tequila, Zacapa(R) rum, Johnnie Walker(R) Gold Label(TM) and Blue Label(TM) Blended Scotch Whisky. The winner will be propelled into the public spotlight overnight and become a recognized name among the industry and consumer for being the best bartender in the world.Erik Lorincz, World Class winner 2010, explains what winning the title means to him. “World Class gives the bartender a stage where it is possible to truly showcase their knowledge, skills and creative flair. The 2010 final in Athens was a once in a lifetime experience. I met some of the greatest names in the business, discovered new techniques and ingredients and also made many new friends. Since winning I have travelled the world as a WORLD CLASS ambassador and am honoured to have published my own cocktail book.”

Now in its third year, WORLD CLASS is not only about finding the best of the best, it is an international celebration of the craft of bartending. The industry looks towards WORLD CLASS as a leader in setting global trends alight, where bartenders are educated and inspired to create exceptional cocktails, service and experiences for consumers, engendering loyalty for their bars.

These breaking new trends are shared and discussed by the WORLD CLASS gurus on the WORLD CLASS facebook page, Global World Class Finals, where members are kept up to date on competition news and events. Inspirational cocktails and exciting trends from Erik and the WORLD CLASS contestants have also been captured in a new cocktail book, edited by Simon Difford and launched in early 2011.

“World Class aims each year to inspire, educate and recognize the craftsmanship of the bartender. This culminates annually at the global final which is becoming one of the industry’s most anticipated events. New Delhi will provide the backdrop this year for our biggest final yet and an outstanding showcase of the very best in cocktail culture,” confirms Global Commercial Marketing Manager, Louise Mc Guane.

Follow the competition on Facebook at the “Global World Class Finals” page.

The Rum Connection Cocktail

Our three-way Signature Drink Competition has come to an end and after judging a month’s worth of terrific cocktail entries, we have a winner.

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Last month we held a Signature Drink Competition along with our friends at The Floating Rum Shack and Rum Dood.com.  We challenged our readers to create an original cocktail recipe that captured the mojo of each of our sites.  The only rule was that the drinks had to be rum based.

We received plenty of interesting recipes.  Some were new twists on classic cocktails and others were innovative concoctions made with cutting edge ingredients.

In the end, one drink stood out among the rest.   I’m happy to announce that the winner of our first ever drinks competition is Adam Kanter, owner of Rum Bar in Philadelphia.  His version of the Rum Connection Cocktail was deemed the top entry by our low-brow panel of judges, but don’t take our word for it, mix one up and let us know what you think.

The Rum Connection Cocktail
1 oz Cruzan Single Barrel Rum
1 oz Rothman &  Winter Orchard Cherry Liqueur
.5 oz Fresh keylime juice
.25 oz simple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 oz club soda

Shake all ingredients (except club soda) with ice.  Strain into a collins glass, add 3 oz. of club soda and garnish with a cherry and lime twist.

Picture 87Picture 80Picture 86

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Adam wins a bottle of Castries Peanut Rum Creme, Chairman’s Reserve Rum and a selection from Apppleton. A special thanks to our friends at Team Spirits Imports Company and Appleton Estate for hooking us up with the great prizes.

Thanks to everyone who entered and keep an eye out for our next contest.

Signature Drink Bonanza

Our three-way Signature Drink Competition is going strong with loads of great entries so far.  There’s still time to get in on it, but you better hurry!!

So, if you’ve been offline or hiding under a rock for the last two weeks, here’s the deal; we’re hosting a three-way drink recipe competition to see who can create the signature drinks of Rum Connection, Rum Dood and The Floating Rum Shack.com.  To make this really fun we want YOU, our valued readers, to help us out.

Your mission is to come up with an original cocktail recipe that captures the spirit of each of our sites.  The drinks must be rum-based, but everything else is up to you. You can submit just one drink, but to make it interesting we hope that you will submit one for each site.  Entries will be accepted until the end of June 2010 and will be judged by a representative from Rum Connection, Rum Dood and The Floating Rum Shack.  The winners will be announced in early July and receive loads of good press and some choice rum-related goodies.

To enter, send an email with your original recipe for the Rum Connection cocktail to Contest@RumConnection.com.  Your Rum Dood cocktail entry can be sent to Contests@RumDood.com and your Floating Rum Shack entry to Competition@Thefloatingrumshack.com.

Signature Drink Competition Terms and Conditions

  • Contestants must be residents of the United States of America (US) or United Kingdom (UK).
  • Contestants should submit drink recipes for a ‘Rum Connection’, ‘Floating Rum Shack’, and/or a ‘Rum Dood’ drink(s).  You can submit for just one or two or preferably go for broke and submit drinks for all three, but please specify which drink is for which site.
  • The winner(s) will be chosen by the writers/editors/grand poohbahs of the three sites.  The winning drinks and their creators will get their names (figuratively speaking) in lights on all three sites and get to be the person responsible for creating the sites’ official signature drink.  We reserve the right to introduce additional celebrity judges during the completion.
  • Rum Connection, Rum Dood and The Floating Rum Shack have final say on the winning entries.
  • In addition to the fame befitting the winner(s), you will also receive booze-related schwagg which will be confirmed before the competition ends.
  • All submissions must be received before midnight on June 30th.
  • Winner(s) will be announced on or before the 5th July (depending upon how well the across-time zone conversations go).
  • All cocktails must FEATURE rum as the dominant spirit.  No “cleverness” of having a rum drink with no rum.  Duh!
  • You MUST be of legal drinking age in your country of residence to enter this competition.
  • Rum Connection, The Floating Rum Shack and Rum Dood will be using your submission in future posts and articles for which you will be identified as the creator.  No royalties or monetary payments will be made now or in the future.  By entering you have transferred the use of and all associated rights of the submitted drink to the owners of the respective website(s).  You will be acknowledged as the creator of the drink on the respective website(s).  If you want to trademark your drink and then levy a charge upon us (‘us’ being the three afore mentioned websites) for future use do not submit it as an entry in this competition!
  • ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Of course if you are in doubt: ask – we will do our best to answer your questions!  And remember – rum is fun…  Enjoy!

Barritt’s Announces Winner

After two months and more than 2oo entries, the Barritt’s Bermuda Getaway Drinks Competition came to a close at Rum Renaissance.  The winners are….

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Barritt’s Bermuda Getaway Recipe Contest

This year, Barritt’s Ginger Beer held an international competition to see who could create the “next great Barritt’s cocktail.”  The grand prize was an all expense paid trip for two to Bermuda.  Over a two month period, 200 experts and novices entered their original creations in the contest.  A panel of four judges narrowed the list down to 20 finalists and the winner was announced at Rum Renaissance in Miami.

There were some interesting entries.  Bizarre ingredients and techniques were used by some and more ordinary combinations by others.  After a live judging session in Miami, there were two drinks that stood out and took the prize.  Here they are:

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Consumer Winner:  “Storm Warning” by Lawrence Spies from Texas.

The drink is 3-4 oz Barritt’s Ginger Beer, 2 oz. Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, 2 oz. Domaine du Canton with a garnish of a lime or lemon wedge.

Instructions: fill tall glass with ice and add 2 oz. Golsing’s, 2 oz. Domaine du Canton, and top with Barritt’s Ginger Beer. Serve in highball glass.

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Retailer Winner:  “Sake Blossom” by Sam McDaniel from Illinois.

It calls for 2 oz. of Barritt’s Ginger Beer, 1 oz Clement Creole Shrubb Clementine Orange Liqueur, 1 oz sparkling cava, 1 oz. junmai gingo sake, .5 oz lemongrass simple syrup, 1 strawberry diced, 1 orange blossom (garnish).

Instructions: muddle diced strawberry, lemongrass simple syrup and sake in a shaker. Strain into champagne flute. Add Barritt’s, Cava and Clement Creole Shrubb Clementine Orange Liqueur slowly to the champagne flute. Serve in champagne flute.

MC Bruce Barritt
MC Bruce Barritt
The Judges
The judges
Paul Imbesi-our server
Paul Imbesi-our server
The First Sample
The first sample
...and another.
...and another.
Serious deliberation
Serious deliberation