Emporia Brands have teamed up with 4 distilleries from across Europe for one of the most unique and exciting competitions we have seen for some time.
The phrase ‘Trip of a lifetime’ is not one we band around too readily over here at BarLifeUK HQ. In this industry there are trips to extraordinary places often up for grabs, and we have been lucky enough of be on several of them. However when the Emporia team told us about this one we couldn’t help but get excited on behalf of those who will be going.
The 4 distilleries who are involved in making this trip happen are:
- Grappa producer Nardini
- Calvados producer Pere Magloire
- Spanish Brandy producer Osborne Brandy De Jerez
- Armagnac producer Marquis de Montesquiou
It is these distilleries that form the backbone of the prize. Not one but four finalists will spend a week in early 2018 travelling across Europe and visiting each of the distilleries. Just to reiterate, 1 week, 4 distilleries, a bunch of mates, road trip. As we said, truly a trip of a lifetime.
Getting Involved
To kick things off the Grand Tour starts with a roadshow around the UK. Each session will see each of the producers getting a 20 minute educational slot (with a sample cocktail of course), there will then be handing out of gift boxes so you can get experimenting back at your bar. The sessions also include welcome drinks, lunch and if you don’t have to run back to work, brandy cocktails afterwards.
- 18th April – Scotland, The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, 1 – 4pm
- 19th April – London, Magic Roundabout, Old Street, 1 – 4pm
- 25th April – North, Alma De Cuba, Liverpool, 1 – 4pm
- 2nd May – Midlands, The Edgbaston, Birmingham, 1 – 4pm
If you don’t live in one of those cities fear not as Emporia are putting on transportation from surrounding areas, simply speak to your local Emporia Rep for details or email info@emporiabrands.com
The competition itself is split into two stages running through June and then September. For each stage you will be invited to pick two of the brands and two drink categories from the list below. You will need to have used all four brands and drink styles by the end of the second stage.
Brands
Grappa – Nardini Bianca 40 or Rabarbaro
Calvados – Pere Magloire VSOP
Spanish Brandy – Carlos I Solera Gran Reserva
Armagnac – Marquis Fine or Reserve
Drinks Categories
Aperitif
Digestive
Punch
Sour
At the end of this process the top 5 bartenders from each region (The South, Midlands, North & Scotland) will compete in a regional final in January 2018 and the winner from each will be off on the Grand Tour in March.
During the Grand Tour itself there will be a series of challenges at each distillery and at the end of the week a Grand Champion will be crowned.
This competition is truly unique, not just in terms if the prize, but also with the opportunity to play around and get creative with a series of product categories that can often be overlooked and under utilised.
For more details and to register for the competition visit the Emporia website here