Woodford Reserve Cocktail Competition

NATIONAL COCKTAIL COMPETITION

Woodford Reserve isn’t manufactured, it’s crafted in small batches. This artisanal process allows us to craft using all five sources of bourbon flavour giving it its distinct taste and crisp, clean finish. The art of making fine bourbon first took place on the site of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, a National Historic Landmark, in 1812.

Now in it’s second installment, the Woodford Reserve National Cocktail Competition challenges bartenders across the country to make an original cocktail that showcases the flavour profile of Woodford Reserve along with their own interpretation of the all time classic Old Fashioned cocktail, including how it would be served.

The grand prize is a once in a lifetime trip to the USA to attend the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience, valued up to $11,500, this includes return airfares to New York City, three nights accommodation in Manhattan and attendance to the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience. During the trip the winner will also have the opportunity to visit the Woodford Reserve distillery in Kentucky.

State winners from Victoria and New South Wales, Alex Archibald of Melbourne’s Seamstress Restaurant and Bar, and Jonothan Carr of Sydney’s Kittyhawk shared some of their insights.

Woodford Reserve National Cocktail Competition State Winner for Victoria, Alex Archibald of Seamstress, Melbourne

DRINKS WORLD: Why did you decide to enter the Woodford Reserve Cocktail Competition?

ALEX ARCHIBALD: I have a lot of respect and a strong connection to the brand. I also like to enter as many comps as can because it’s a good way to test and improve yourself as a bartender as well as boosting your profile in the industry.

DW: Which expressions of Woodford Reserve did you decide to work with and why? [i.e. Distiller’s Select, Double Oaked, Rye]

AA: I used the Distiller’s Select for my original cocktail because it’s the one I was first introduced to early in my career. I used the Sonoma-Cutrer cask expression for my old fashioned because it’s a really interesting product.

DW: What was the inspiration behind your original Woodford Reserve cocktail entry? Can you tell us a little about your creation?

AA: Early in my career, Woodford mint juleps were one of my drinks of choice so I wanted to put my own spin on it with unique flavours inspired by the coffee juleps being made in cafes across America

DW: Why should a bartender enter the Woodford Reserve Cocktail Competition next year?

AA: Entering comps is a great way to for any bartenders to push themselves to improve. And Woodford Reserve offers great prizes and incentives for those that put the work in.

DW: What was your first experience of Woodford Reserve?

AA: My first experience with Woodford Reserve was when I first discovered the world of classic cocktails. I used to drink old fashioneds and mint juleps all the time and when I asked my favourite bartenders which bourbon I should have them on it would usually be Woodford Reserve. And naturally they were delicious!

NSW State Winner Jonothan Carr

Woodford Reserve National Cocktail Competition State Winner for NSW, Jonothan Carr of Kittyhawk, Sydney

DW: Why did you decide to enter the Woodford Reserve Cocktail Competition?

JONO CARR: Cocktail competitions are great experiences in general, however, the allure to this particular comp was working with a great brand and fantastic liquid. Of course the epic prize at the end helps also.

DW: Which expressions of Woodford Reserve did you decide to work with and why? [i.e. Distiller’s Select, Double Oaked, Rye]

JC: I chose to use Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select for both drinks to showcase its versatility in both an old fashioned style cocktail as well as a light, aperitif style cocktail.

DW: What was the inspiration behind your original Woodford Reserve cocktail entry? Can you tell us a little about your creation?

NSW State Finalists Jono Carr, Dan Molnar, Ben Burch, Ryan Gavin, Daniel Novikov and Evan Brown

JC: My original cocktail is inspired by my time in Kentucky last year travelling through bourbon country and its vast green spaces. It was an inspiring and refreshing time after cities and long flights.

DW: Why should a bartender enter the Woodford Reserve Cocktail Competition next year?

JC: Competitions are great ways to improve on your public speaking and it gives you a chance to be as creative as you like, within certain parameters. Woodford is a great brand to be working with and Brown-Forman do know how to throw a party.

DW: What was your first experience of Woodford Reserve?

JC: I cant remember a bar that I have worked in that hasn’t had the iconic Woodford bottle on the back bar. It’s always been a staple in mixed drinks, cocktails and to sip on.