Auchentoshan single malt whisky has launched a competition that is offering the prize of a lifetime for any bartender who loves their trade – not just presenting them with the chance to travel to a different continent, but also to work there in one of two of the world’s best bars.
The Auchentoshan Switch competition is a bartender talent search presented by Auchentoshan Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky aimed at finding two outstanding mixologists that will literally “switch” continents for two weeks to work in the top bars in the world – one bar in London and one in New York City.
The London host bar is confirmed as highly acclaimed ‘The Nightjar’ in Old Street, London which was recently voted one of the best bars in the world by Drinks International. Over in the States, the host bar has been confirmed as The Dead Rabbit in New York City which was named as one of the Top American Nightspots 2013 by Forbes Magazine and the Best Everyman’s Bar 2013 by New York Magazine.
Open to all licensed bartenders in the UK, Germany and Sweden in Europe and on the other side of the pond, the US and Canada, Auchentoshan Switch spans the globe to create the opportunity of a lifetime for two talented bartenders.
Initial Entry.To enter, bartenders are asked to create their best Auchentoshan Three Wood cocktail and upload the recipe and an image of their creation at www.auchentoshan.com/switch. Online entries will be accepted from March 2013 until 12 July, 2013. New for this Auchentoshan Switch is the chance for the general public to go to vote for their favorite bartender/Auchentoshan Three Wood cocktail on the Auchentoshan Switch site.
Regional Heats. Once the official entry period ends on July 12, 2013, a panel of judges will vote to name the semi-finalists. These successful candidates will then be invited to attend regional heats in July and August2013, within their respective countries, where multiple finalists will be named.
Grand Finals. The finalists from each of the regional heats will then battle it out in the European and North American Grand Finals to be held in October 2013 – one final held in London and one held in the US.
When the winners have been decided the actual switch will take place in 2014, when the winning North American bartender will spend two weeks at the London bar Nightjar, while the winning European winner will get to spend his or her two weeks at The Dead Rabbit in New York City. The winners will undertake shiftwork, learning the bars’ signature drinks and house techniques and much more.
Speaking about the Auchentoshan Switch competition, Jennifer Meenan, brand manager for Auchentoshan, said: “Our initial Auchentoshan Switch was very well-received and drew a huge number of entries – and fabulously creative cocktails – from bartenders on both sides of the pond.
“We decided to bring Auchentoshan Switch back bigger and better this year, opening it up to bartenders in more countries and hosting regional heats. We’re excited to see this year’s entries and proud to bring this once in a lifetime experience to our supportive bartending community once again.”
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