Monkey Shoulder, a blended malt owned by William Grant & Sons, did organise the 6th season 'Ultimate Bartender Championship'. This year, the brand has "Unmask the next champion," or the most enthusiastic and talented bartender in the country. They hosted the finale for UBC between 14-16th as different city rounds have been going on since 8th May. Series of city rounds hosted and judged by Monkey Shoulder India’s Brand Ambassador and Chief Monkey Officer, Gaurav Sareen, witnessed an incredible surge of energy from an enthusiastic group of bartenders who showcased their skills through five exciting mixology challenges. After a string of thrilling state-wise competitions, with over 1100+ registrations across 8 cities, the stage is now set for the ultimate showdown as 20 finalists from eight cities gear up to compete for the title.
The Grand Finale was scheduled from 14th to 16th of June in Delhi NCR where Joe Petch (Global Brand Ambassador Monkey Shoulder), Brendon Khoo (Brand Ambassador - Monkey Shoulder Singapore), and Christyne Lee (Head Bartender - Tess Bar & Kitchen Singapore) will be the eminent jury to unmask the next champion, adding to the prestige of the event. The state finalists for the Grand Finale were GOA - Sangam Asnotikar from Jamming Goat and Pritish Dakhode from Alila Diwa , HYDERABAD - Ayush Pundir & Gaurav Pandey from Cock & Bull, KOLKATA - Swastik from Sobasassy, Manoj from Sorano and Shubhobrata from Olterra, MUMBAI - Vishal Tawde from PCO, Rudra Kumar from Blah, Jay Mhamunkar from Eve, PUNE - Tapan from Quora & Aniket from Malaka Spice, BANGALORE - Minam Dark from Big Brewski, Rohil Kolita from Far & East and Dharambir Chhetri from Copitas, DELHI - Amit Kumar from Lair, Sandesh from Sidecar and Rajat from Saz and GURGAON - Sushil Pant from Home, Mandy from Whisky Samba.
This 3-day event was one of a kind extravaganza, that saw participants and guests from across the country happily cheering to a plethora of engaging activities. The adrenaline-pumping adventures included paintball, t-shirt painting, spray painting, and skill sessions on ice, coffee, palate tasting & social media. These activities not only entertained the audience but also provided opportunities for bartenders to showcase their creativity and expertise beyond the bar counter. On the final day, all attendees had the chance to explore a local distillery, enriching their knowledge of the craft. Having said that the format of the competition is designed to assess "the skills that pay the bills." The competition's five unique tiers place an emphasis on fundamental abilities such industry knowledge, pouring, nosing, table service, and serving with the perfect technique.
Gaurav Sareen, Brand Ambassador, Monkey Shoulder India said, “I feel honored to have had the privilege of hosting the exciting edition of the Ultimate Bartender Championship (UBC), and I must say, the turnout this time surpassed all expectations. It not only celebrated the talent of these bartenders but also created a collaborative and supportive environment to build skills that pay bills. Witnessing the passion and enthusiasm of these talented bartenders was truly inspiring. All finalists have made me really proud, and while everyone is a champion who made it to the top 20, I would like to congratulate Dharambir Chhetri from Copitas, Bengaluru for bagging the title of Ultimate Bartender 2023."
With an eye-catching bottle, intriguing name, and a playful attitude, Monkey Shoulder has created a stir as the Scotch that leaps out from the whisky crowd. A 100 percent blended malt whisky, this top-notch quality Scotch is made from a selection of Speyside single malts married to create an exceptional flavor. Refreshingly approachable and tailor-made for mixing, Monkey Shoulder’s commitment to the unconventional is bringing great Scotch to a new generation.
The judges for the Ultimate Bartender Championship were a distinguished group. Joe Petch, the global brand ambassador for Monkey Shoulder, Brendon Khoo, the brand ambassador for Monkey Shoulder SEA, and Christyne Lee, the head bartender at Tess Bar & Kitchen in Singapore were among the jury members. Only the most deserved bartender won because of their vast expertise and sophisticated tastes.
Speaking on the occasion, Joe Petch, Global Brand Ambassador and Judge said "The Ultimate Bartender Championship continues to impress me year after year. The level of talent and innovation in the Indian bartending community is truly exceptional. It was an honor to be a part of the judging panel and witness the passion and creativity firsthand."
This championship is all about hunting the untap and unleash the hidden industry talents and giving the creative minds of the platform to thrive and succeed in their area.
Commenting on the success of the event, Sachin Mehta, Country Director, William Grant & Sons said “By promoting and recognizing exceptional talent, Ultimate Bartender Championship 2023 aimed to inspire the next generation of bartenders, cultivating a culture of excellence, professionalism, and innovation. Bartenders have the potential to advocate for responsible drinking, sustainability, and community engagement, while working towards the advancement of their profession. They are integral contributors to the spirits and hospitality industry, and we truly value their prowess, passion and dedication.”
An unforgettable after-party followed the finale round of the Ultimate Bartender Championship. International artist DJ Santero took the stage, providing an electrifying atmosphere for the guests to celebrate the successful conclusion of the event.