Last week the Wild Rover, Surry Hills, played host to the last heat of the Australian state finals for the Glenfiddich Pioneers Cocktail Competition. Decked out with a fine selection of 2015’s most awarded single malt in the world, mixed in with some of Sydney’s finest bar-tending talent, and topped with a healthy dose of good times!

The term pioneer refers to an explorer or early settler of a new country; originator or developer of something new, and this theme has certainly been seen throughout the competition. Entries were judged by three main criteria: taste, creativity and the story behind the family member, or pioneer, who inspired them.

Creating two original drinks using Glenfiddch 12yr old and Glenfiddich 14yr or 15yr old, each entrant’s drinks were blind tasted and chosen by well-known mentors; they then paired for the day with their future pioneers to evolve their creation before returning to the bar and presenting to the panel of judges.

NSW teams included:
Neilsen Braid & Cristiano Beretta
Elliott William Fairbairn & Max Greco
Tom Egerton & Simon McGoram
Chrissy Poulos & Jonothan Carr
Steve Davis & Daniel Noble

Congratulations to Tom Egerton (Eau de Vie) & Simon McGoram; who will join the following teams at the national finals, in October, to be hosted in Sydney:

Luke Sanderson (Black Pearl) & Orlando Marzo (Eau de Vie Melbs) – VIC
Marcus Motteram (Hains & Co.) & Chazz Michael Michaels (Maybe Mae) – SA
Tom Kearney (The Dominion League) & Scotty Kneipp (The Aviary) – WA
Hugh Taylor (Cobbler) & Martin Lange (Cobbler) - QLD

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