DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS- presents the Indonesia National Final in the global search for the Bartender of the Year

The WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year is a global undertaking by Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks company and owner of an impressive assemblage of brands including Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, Tanqueray, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Cuervo, and many others. At the pinnacle of the brand collection are the premium DIAGEO RESERVE brands- Johnnie Walker Gold Label Blended Scotch Whisky, Ketel One vodka, Zacapa rum, Don Julio tequila, Cîroc vodka and Tanqueray No. Ten gin.

The DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year concept has been operating globally for the past four years and encompasses a program of both training and national competitions, with over 10,000 bartenders from 40 countries participating this year. The national champions from each country will compete at the Global Finals event to be held in Rio De Janerio, Brazil in July. In 2012, for the first time, Indonesia were holding their own national challenge featuring bartenders from both Jakarta and Bali.

The WORLD CLASS Indonesia National Finals 2012 were conducted recently at the Pullman Hotel in central Jakarta. Seven finalists from Jakarta and Bali had been selected from a series of earlier challenges held in the preceding six months. The participating finalists were- Bayu Wiseso Pandu Resi (KU DE TA, Bali), Ari Jaya Laksana (KU DE TA, Bali), Nurul Aldina Mustakim (Union, Jakarta), Zulkifli Moka (Loewy Bar & Restaurant, Jakarta), Harli Gunawan (Loewy Bar & Restaurant, Jakarta), Erickson Marolop Batubara (Union, Jakarta), and I Gusti Salit Made Ari Naryana (W Retreat & Spa, Bali).

The format from the finals competition comprised two challenges- the “Cocktail Mastery Challenge”- where each bartender was tasked with creating an original bespoke serve for a cocktail based on one of the Reserve brands. The second challenge- the “Speed & Taste Challenge” required the finalists to complete five “standard” cocktails ( Scotch Mint Julep, Zacapa Old Fashioned, Cosmopolitan, Margarita and Tanqueray® No. TEN™ tonic) in a race against the clock- whilst maintaining the correct quality of taste for the finished cocktails.

The judging panel comprised a blend of international industry experts and local media identities- Siobhan Hamilton, Managing Director of DIAGEO Singapore Malaysia Indonesia; Hidetsugu Ueno, DIAGEO WORLD CLASS Global Guru Judge; Edwin Lau, Celebrity Chef; Prabu Revolusi, Metro TV Anchor; Lam Chi Mun, DIAGEO Bar Academy Director, Asia Pacific; Jed Doble, Dreams Magazine Managing Director.

At the end of the two challenges, results were tabulated and the winners announced. In a close result, coming out on top was Harli Gunawan (Loewy Bar & Restaurant, Jakarta); 1st Runner Up was Ari Jaya Laksana (KU DE TA, Bali); and the 2nd Runner Up- Nurul Aldina Mustakim (Union, Jakarta). WORLD CLASS Indonesia “Bartender of the Year 2012” Harli Gunawan will now represent Indonesia at the Global Finals event to be held in Rio de Janeiro in July.

Cocktail Mastery Challenge

The Cocktail Mastery Challenge- creating an original bespoke service featuring a Diageo Reserve brand

Answering the judges questions following the cocktail presentation

The Speed and Taste Challenge

The finalists had to prepare five classic cocktails in the fastest time – a Scotch Mint Julep, a Margarita, a Cosmopolitan, an Zacapa Old Fashioned, and a Tanqueray No. Ten Tonic.

Judges watching as the five cocktails are prepared against the clock

Judges sampling the finished cocktails to confirm taste

The Finalists celebrate after the presentations

The Indonesian Champion & Runners Up cocktail creations

Indonesia Champion- Harli Gunawan (Loewy Bar & Restaurant, Jakarta)– name of cocktail “Uisge Beatha” featuring The Singleton of Glen Ord 12 YO.

The Singleton of Glen Ord 12 YO, spice water, angostura bitters. Served in picnic basket with side serve of cocoa chocolate, dry figs, orange marmalade & toasted bread. Peat smoke added for atmosphere of Scotland.