Glenfiddich’s World’s Most Experimental Bartender competition is now on its second year in the Philippines. The competition started in 2016, and since then it has been running annually in various countries like the US, UK, India, Dubai, and Spain, and now the Philippines.
The global search aims to inspire bartenders to unlock their experimental spirit and collaborate with specialists from different fields to create brand new ways to experience Glenfiddich whisky. Bartenders worldwide collaborated with scientists, culinary experts, jewelers, carpenters, musicians, architects, and even engineers to develop a new way of serving Glenfiddich whisky.
Last year, bartender Shinichi Ito and The Coffee Experience’ Kevin Fortu were the first Philippine champions. They presented three kinds of whisky concoctions which highlighted coffee from Central South America, Africa, and a local coffee from Bukidnon (Philippines). But due to an unforeseen visa problems the team were not able to represent the country in the global stage.
2018 global winners were Taiwan’s Johnny Tsai and Yu Lee. Their winning entry is the innovative Xiao Long Fiddich, Taiwanese bao buns with Glenfiddich-infused raisins, wax gourd candy, cashew nuts filling, and homemade maple syrup bacon.
This year’s local entry saw unique collaborations and innovative creations from tattoo ink drinks, kombucha and tea creations, freeze-dried highballs, whisky-infused pomade, and many more.
The Glenfiddich World’s Most Experimental Bartender Fair showcased these competitors last July 15 at Whitespace Makati and announced the three-team finalists. Finalists Enzo Luna (Bartender, Run Rabbit Run) and Don Carpio (Freelance Baker/Pastry Chef); Kate Osmillo (Head Bartender, Oto) and Fonso Sotero (Owner & Pastry Chef, Lampara); Faye Fernando (Bartender, Cove Manila) and James Llamera (R&D, EDSA Beverage Design) will be competing for the national finals on the August 27. Whoever will champion the last leg will be the one to represent the country in the global stage in Glasgow, Scotland this November.
According to newly-appointed Brand Ambassador of Glenfiddich for Southeast Asia, Brett Bayly, the Philippines has a great chance in the global competition. “Last year, versus this year, there has been an absolute level up. Every single one of the finalists has eclipsed what we did last year,” Brett explains. “We have a great selection of finalists. It’s a tough to choose when you have all these finalists all producing really good drinks.”
Check out these interesting serves from this year’s collaborations:
Galeh Anis (Photographer and Designer, Galetratoz Productions)
Kayo Cosio (Master Designer, #HoneyCombArts)
UPDATE: Finalists Kathrin Osmillo (Head Bartender, Oto) and Fonso Sotero (Owner & Pastry Chef, Lampara) crowned as Philippines’ Glenfiddich World’s Most Experimental Bartender for 2019 during the final competition on August 27 held at The Spirits Library, Poblacion. They will be representing the country in the global stage in Glasgow, Scotland this November
Follow #GFexperiments #FollowtheExperiment #GlenfiddichPH on Facebook and Instagram to get updates from the competition.
