Woodford Reserve Cocktail Competition

GET THE LOWDOWN ON THE 2017 WOODFORD RESERVE AUSTRALIA COCKTAIL COMPETITION GRAND FINAL

For the third year running, November saw Marble Bar in Sydney host the grand final of the annual 2017 Woodford Reserve Australia Cocktail Competition.

The competition was particularly fierce this year, with 155 bartenders from across the country putting their skills to the test to create both their ideal version of the classic Old Fashioned using Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select and a bespoke cocktail that highlighted the distinct flavour profile of Woodford Reserve Rye. Each bartender had to serve their creations in their venues throughout September before taking them to the competition.

After rounds of state heats and finals, five of the best bartenders Australia wide were selected to compete for the prestigious title of Woodford Reserve Australia Champion. From Melbourne’s Black Pearl there was Matt Linklater, from Sydney’s Surly’s American BBQ, Simon Hopkins, Vini Wang from Adelaide’s Hains & Co, Joshua O’Brien from The Bowery in Queensland and James Connolly from Long Chim, Western Australia.

The expert judging panel, which inlcuded Brown-Forman Master Taster, Elizabeth McCall, Brown-Forman Brand Ambassador, Grant Shearon and 2016 competition winner, Alex Boon then had the difficult task of deciding which bartender deserved the grand prize of an all expenses paid trip to New York for next year’s Woodford Reserve, Manhattan Experience U.S. Final and a tour of the Woodford Reserve distillery in Kentucky County.

After careful deliberation, Matt Linklater was awarded top honours for his Natural Order cocktail.

Ben Davidson, judge of the Woodford Reserve NSW State Final and Drinks World’s Drinks Curator, was present at the grand final and said he was thoroughly impressed by the standard of this year’s competitors.

“I had the pleasure of being involved with the Woodford Reserve Cocktail Challenge as one of the judges this year. At the final I was so impressed by the quality and uniqueness of the cocktails created by the finalist bartenders. Great to see some new young guns staking their claim on T25 honours next year! It was one of the best competitions I’ve seen in a while. Well done to Thalita, Grant and the Brown-Forman team.”

Keep an eye out for next year’s competition dates, with entries opening in August. State finals will be held in October before the big event, the national finals, in November.

Drinks World caught up with grand final winner Matt Linklater to discuss his winning entry, his career inspiration and what he’s most excited to see in the Big Apple.

DRINKS WORLD: Tell us a little about yourself and how you got started in the industry?

MATT LINKLATER: My family ran pubs in country NSW as I was growing up, so it was in the blood. After a couple of years of university and working in a nightclub to pay the bills, next thing I knew I was hooked on the fast paced and creative nature of the industry.

DW: What made you enter this year’s Woodford Reserve Competition?

ML: Woodford has always been a brand close to my heart. Growing up in country NSW I’m a bourbon drinker through and through, so the competition was very much a way to bring my past and present together.

DW: What drives you to enter cocktail competitions?

ML: Pushing myself creatively is the biggest payoff! Also, being surrounded by like-minded, passionate individuals is always both stimulating and humbling.

DW: Out of the Woodford Reserve expressions, do you have a particular favourite?

ML: I hate playing favourites, but the Distiller’s Select Rye is really fun to play with in cocktails. It has a huge presence without being overpowering, and is delicious and juicy.

DW: What was the inspiration for your winning cocktail the Natural Order?

ML: Woodford Rye was definitely the inspiration. Much like Woodford Rye is unlike any other rye whiskey I have experienced in the past, I wanted the Natural Order to be unlike any other cocktail. I wanted to step away from our reliance on produce, without sacrificing taste.

DW: Who has been influential in your growth and career development to get to where you are today?

ML: So many people to name! But I’ll be brief - my Dad, first and foremost, who continues to push me to excel every day, whether he knows it or not, Pierre Fajloun for introducing me to the passion of cocktails, Mike T for teaching me how to dress, Tim Philips for giving me the confidence to do pretty much everything, Adi Ruiz for keeping me humble, and the entire Black Pearl team for being an inspiration every single day.

DW: What bars are you most looking forward to checking out when you’re in New York?

ML: Dante is first on the list! Attaboy, PDT, Dead Rabbit… The list goes on! Check out Matt’s winning cocktail recipe!

NATURAL ORDER

Created by Matt Linklater

INGREDIENTS:

• 45ml Woodford Reserve Kentucky

Straight Rye • 20ml Umeshu Kiuchi (White ale base) • 10ml House grenadine • 5ml Pok Pok Pomegranate vinegar • 4 x Drops soap bark extract • 60ml Limonata

METHOD: Quick hard shake, reverse dry shake, add limonata and fine strain into a chilled glass

GARNISH: Green tea spray