Bartenders battle it out at Chivas Masters global final

Fifteen of the world’s most renowned mixologists have been selected to take part in this year’s Chivas Masters global final which will be held in Shanghai this month.

Shanghai will play host to this year’s Chivas Masters final 2016

China’s glitzy cocktail capital, Shanghai will play host to this year’s final which takes place between 19-22 June and marks the first time the spirit-fuelled event has come to China.

Now in its third year, the Chivas Masters challenges some of the world’s brightest bartenders to create cocktails entering on Chivas Regal and inspired by their own bars and cities.

This year’s 15 finalists are:

• Yao Lu from The Union Trading Company, China
• Renier Ernesto Rodriguez from Meliá Cohiba, Cuba
• Tomáš Melzer from Hemingway Bar, Czech Republic
• Aurélie Panhelleux from CopperBay, France
• Lukas Motejzik from Herzog, Germany
• Stefanos Draganidakis from The Trap, Greece
• Dave Lam from Quinary, Hong Kong
• Mor Koral from Mor Koral, Israel
• Naoya Mizugishi from Fujiya & Miyagi, Japan
• Alex Millan from Ponce de Leόn, Mexico
• Stanislaw Domin from Kawiarnia Literatka, Poland
• Santi Ortiz from Ohla Barcelona, Spain
• Johan Blaauw from Cape Grace Hotel, South Africa
• Chelsie Bailey from The Rummer Hotel, UK
• Ben Rojo from Angel’s Share, USA

The tough judging panel comprises Naren Young, head bartender at NYC’s Dante; Chris Lowder, head bartender at the Four Seasons in Seoul; Dre Masso, founder of Akademi in Bali and Leo Robitschek, bar director of New York’s Eleven Madison Park and the NoMad Hotel Bar.

Max Warner, global brand ambassador for Chivas Regal said:

“The announcement of the global finalists always marks a build of anticipation for the Chivas Masters Global Final – a time at which excitement for the competition hits fever pitch.

“Our national champions have impressed us so far but now have the opportunity to represent their countries alongside one of the world’s most prestigious Scotch brands and, by doing so, ensure their future as a top-class bartender.

“We can’t wait to witness the start of this incredible journey in Shanghai.”

This year, a winning collaborative team – the Chivas Masters Collective – will win a trip to the Tales of the Cocktail 2016 in New Orleans with a further prize awarded to the 2016 Global Chivas Master, who will earn a trip to a city and bar of their choice to create a further Chivas cocktail in celebration of the competition.