Daniel Warren joins bartenders from USA, Australia, and Turkey in World Class Final
The 2018 Diageo Reserve World Class finals got under way this weekend in Berlin. 56 bartenders from around the globe were set a number of challenges, designed to reduce the running order to just four.
Friday’s Ketel One Vodka’s ‘Better Drinking Challenge saw five pre-selected competitors, including Daniel Warren, showcase a remixed classic Ketel One Vodka serve, championing sustainability and community spirit. This was followed on Saturday by the Johnnie Walker Black Label ‘Flavours of a National Challenge, in which all competitors present two cocktails inspired by one of the four key flavour pillars of Johnnie Walker Black Label, whilst incorporating flavours from their home nation.
Sunday was no day of rest. Instead, the top 20 competitors participate in Tanqueray No. Ten’s ‘Search for a Signature’ challenge. The second test of the day, Ron Zacapa’s ‘Before and After’ challenge tasked the top 20 with crafting one aperitif and one digestif using Ron Zacapa, presented to a selection of judges at a dinner table. This test further reduced the field, and awarded the final four competition spots.
Joining Daniel Warren of Great Britain in the final four are Laura Newman of USA, Orlando Marzo of Australia, and Gökhan Kuşoğlu of Turkey.
The final stage of the Diageo Reserve World Class finals will take place tonight, with ‘The Cocktail Clash’, and will see one of the four finalists emerge as the 2018 global champion.
You can follow the final in real time on the World Class Club Stream.