DIAGEO RESERVE- WORLD CLASS- Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia National Finals

WORLD CLASS seeks to identify the finest and most creative bartenders currently practising their craft. Conducted through a six month series of competitions and challenges in 39 countries, and culminating in theDIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year global final, to be held during July in New Dehli . Previous global finals have been held in London in 2009 and Athens in 2010.

WORLD CLASS Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia national finals were held in Singapore on Monday, June 13th. The three winners from each country (four from Singapore due to a tie in the final challenge series) competed in front of a panel of six industry judges and a large audience at the ballroom of the CONRAD Hotel. Each contestant was give a set time (two minutes) for bar set up, and then six minutes to complete their cocktail preparation. During the allotted time, the contestants also had to field some probing questions from the judges, ranging from details on the ingredients being used- and why, through to the history of specific liquors. Each cocktail was then tasted and the presentation assessed.

Following the completion of the judging and announcement of the three country winners to go to New Dehli for the Global Finals in July, the final event for the evening was a speed and taste challenge where the three country winners had to prepare correctly six “classic” cocktails, against the clock.

The winning bartenders were:

SINGAPORE: Akihiro Eguchi- the bar manager from Orgo Bar & Lab

MALAYSIA: Chong Yi Shawn the manager from Hoofed

INDONESIA: Kiki Moka- Mixologist from Loewy Bar & Restaurant

The three winning cocktails from the National Finals-

SINGAPORE- “Crown Jewel”

Bartender – Akihiro Eguchi from Orgo Bar & Lab in Singapore

Judges Notes-

A two-time WORLD CLASS (Singapore) finalist, Akihiro Eguchi (Aki) impressed the judges with his cool demeanor and polished mixing skills. Demonstrating a deep understanding of Tanqueray No. TEN gin, his winning drink ‘Crown Jewel’ is a perfect play on flavours and aromas and earned him a place at the Global Finals in New Delhi next month (July).

For ‘Crown Jewel’, Aki combined freshly distilled rosewater, fresh pomegranate juice, simple sugar syrup and Tanqueray No. TEN gin. Stirred and presented in an antique Japanese glass, this winning drink infuses the sweet fragrance of rose and exudes undeniable royalty.

MALAYSIA- “IGNITED PASSION”

Bartender– Chong Yi Shawn from Hoofed Restaurant

Judges Notes– Chong Yi Shawn translated his love for bartending into this aptly titled serve, ‘Ignited Passion’. Working with Ron Zacapa rum, Yi Shawn used cranberry juice, lime juice, Grand Marnier and his own Old Fashioned mix. Complementing this creation was a side serving of delectable chocolate truffles and fresh blackberries.

INDONESIA- “MOJAN BLANCA”

Bartender– Kiki Moka from Loewy Bar & Restaurant

Judges Notes– Kiki’s ‘Mojan Blanca’ is a Ron Zacapa-based serve laced with dashes of Angostura bitters and a bespoke ‘Loewy’ bitter made with an infusion of Ron Zacapa rum and various herbs and spices.

The ingredients were stirred with honey in an old-fashioned glass, and in true theatrical form, finished with a cloud of Cohiba Siglo No. 4 smoke.