To coincide with the Australian launch of the new addition to the award-winning Russell’s Reserve small batch bourbon collection, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel, Wild Turkey Bourbon Master Distillers – father and son team, Jimmy and Eddie Russell – will visit Australia in late July.

To celebrate, the Wild Turkey bourbon team has also announced a competition for the nation’s most influential cocktail bars and bartenders, with the prize being a money- can’t-buy experience: meeting the father-son duo.

“Jimmy Russell is bourbon’s elder statesman. He is the very last of the old guard still working as a master distiller, having worked with Wild Turkey for more than 60 years.

“Together with co- master distiller, his son, Eddie Russell, this competition is an extraordinary opportunity for bartenders to meet these two international legends of bourbon,” Campari Australia’s National Brand Ambassador, Oliver Stuart, explained.

To enter, venues must stock Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old and contact their Campari Australia representative to confirm participation.

For the chance to win, bartenders must create a signature cocktail based on the theme of ‘Modern American Classic’, using Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old or Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel.

The cocktail challenge judging period will be 14 June-12 July 2015 inclusive, during which time Campari Australia Brand Ambassadors will visit participating venues and cocktails will be judged on: flavour and taste, presentation and creativity, story and representation of a Modern American Classic cocktail and additionally, how the cocktail has been promoted in their venue.

Two finalists from NSW, VIC, QLD and WA respectively, and one finalist from SA, will be selected and all finalists will receive return flights to Sydney to meet master distillers, Jimmy and Eddie Russell.

The finalist’s prize will also include accommodation and meals whilst in Sydney. The finalists will also have the rare opportunity to showcase their winning cocktail to Jimmy and Eddie Russell, who will subsequently judge the overall winner.

The overall winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and a signed bottle of Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old from the first ever batch produced in 1998.

Created with Bourbon connoisseurs in mind, Russell’s Reserve was co-created by Jimmy and Eddie Russell to honour Jimmy’s 45 years with the globally recognised Wild Turkey brand.