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Our round up of cocktail-related articles, local and international booze and bar news, new spirits and recommended reads.
In the News
- The 2018 Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition was held in Sydney on Monday 15 October with Abby Wegener from Hades Hula House in South Australia announced as the National Winner. Her cocktail, ‘The Muldejewangk’ (pictured) drew inspiration from the mythological creature that used to snatch kids that stray too close to the Murray River banks. She will be representing Australia in the Global Finals in Mexico in January 2019.
- Orlando Marzo from Lûmé restaurant in Melbourne has won World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2018 after a four-day final where 56 of the best bartenders battled it out in Berlin.
- Hendrick’s Gin has unveiled Hendrick’s Gin Palace, a new distillery to double capacity and develop new expressions.
- Melbourne’s Boilermaker House has released a new app designed to enhance guest experience at the venue.
- We interviewed Dré Masso, co-creator of Altos Tequila during his visit to Sydney to launch a new sustainability initiative in bars.
- Diego Loret de Mola, founder of BarSol Pisco presented masterclasses in Sydney. Pisco varietals on taste featured the popular Quebranta as well as Italia, Torontel, Acholado and Mosto Verde Italia.
Spirit News
- Cocktail Porter, a new online cocktail subscription service is ready to deliver bartender-designed cocktail kits directly to consumers across metro Australia. A different cocktail is delivered each month and each kit contains easy-to-follow recipes, pre-measured premium spirits, tailored mixers and quality ingredients to create tipples at home. Cocktail Porter monthly members boxes are priced at $135 per month with each kit making a minimum of 14 cocktails. Take a look at the Martini kit here.
- Grant’s whisky has released Grant’s Triple Wood, matured in Virgin Oak, American Oak and Refill Bourbon casks, an approachable whisky blend that’s versatile in cocktails.
- Kavalan Whisky Distillery releases the first Taiwan-inspired craft gin (via Forbes)
Bar News
- Employees Only Sydney is gearing up for the launch of its first Australian concept this November with co-founder Dushan Zaric and Anna Fang as venue manager.
- J&M whisky and cocktail bar has released a new cocktail list for spring.
- After a brief closure, Pocket Bar in Darlinghurst has re-opened as Mister Pocket with Dewar’s Scotch Egg Club taking over residency for one month.
- Word is out that Grasshopper Bar, one of the original small Sydney bars has now closed.
Recommended Reads
- The wax-washed cocktail: adding beeswax to bourbon (via Atlanta Magazine)
- Can the gin market keep on growing? (via The Spirits Business)
- Ride a tequila train to celebrate Dia de los Muertos (via Vinepair)
- Brad Thomas Parsons writes a guide to smuggling rare amaro from Italy (via PUNCH)
- How Bartenders in Pre-Prohibition New York Changed the Way We Drink (via Bevvy)
Opening a new cocktail bar soon? Contact us here, and don’t forget to check our Bars Directory and updated Australian Distillery Directory.
Photo Credit: Supplied
