The G’Vine Gin Connoisseur Program is back for 2012

Win $3k, trips to Berlin Bar Convent and Tales of the Cocktail, & a year’s supply of G’Vine for your bar with the 2012 GCP.

Terry Cashman at the GCP 2011 Final

The G’Vine Gin Connoisseur Program was one of 2011’s biggest and most keenly contested competitions – possibly because it offered not only a cracking prize, but also the opportunity to learn a hell of a lot about gin.

The format remains largely the same this year, with competitors completing a combination of online modules, preliminary heats and then a week-long global final in Cognac, presided over by competitor coach, Gaz Regan and competition designer Philip Duff.

Last year, Terry Cashman of the Hoxton Pony and Jill Saunders, formerly of the Savoy’s Beaufort Bar, represented the UK at the global final, which was ultimately won by Gegham Gazarian of Spain.

Terry told us of the final:

(The Final) was an amazing week, not only spending time in a beautiful part of the country and meeting some great international bartenders, and being tested on every facet of your bartender knowledge and skill, but getting hammered with Gary Regan and Phil Duff is a experience not to be missed. If you take away anything from the experience, make sure it’s gin… I mean fun.

The prize for the ultimate winner is outstanding. It includes $3000, a trophy, a platinum vine flower pin, all expenses paid trips to Tales of the Cocktail and Berlin Bar Convent and a year’s supply of G’Vine for your bar (which is sure to put you in the owner’s good books).

Enter the 2012 GCP

BarLifeUK will be sending out regular updates on preliminary heats, and updates on the competition’s progress, so make sure you have subscribed to our eBulletins.

However, in the mean time, visit the G’Vine website, create your competitor profile and make a start on the online module parts.