Julio Bermejo, T25 Bartenders, Ironbark Distillery, Icons of Whisky Australia, Scotchwhisky.com, Australian Gin Cocktail Cup, Crooked Tailor Bar, 50 Best Industry Icon Award, and more in this week’s bar/spirited news & recommended reads.
Julio Bermejo at Tio’s Cerveceria – Photo © Cocktails & Bars
Nominated in Icons of Whisky Australia 2020
We’re very excited to announce that our sister website Gourmantic was nominated in the prestigious Icons of Whisky Australia Awards for 2020. The winners will be announced at the awards dinner to be on 21st October at Rydges World Square, 115 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Last chance to vote here.
Julio Bermejo in Australia
Julio Bermejo, owner operator of Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco and creator of the famed Tommy’s Margarita presented a Patrón Tequila masterclass at Tio’s Cerverceria in Sydney. Bermejo is in Australia to judge the Australian and New Zealand 2019 Patrón Perfectionist in Melbourne on 15th October.
Ironbark Distillery Gin Rebrands
Following the news that UK-based Halewood Wines & Spirits has purchased a majority stake in Ironbark Distillery in NSW, the distillery has re-branded its gin with a new look bottle and label depicting the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Take a look at the new design here.
T25 Bartenders
The T25 Bartenders by Drinks World industry event was held on October 14 at Marble Bar in Sydney with Alex Boon awarded the number one position. T25 Bartenders is a celebration of 25 individuals who are recognised by their peers as being exceptional in their field.
Voting for the 2019 T25 Bartender Awards began in April, with 20 industry professionals, including educators, trainers, brand ambassadors and venue operators, nominating 100 bartenders into the T100 list. This was followed by further voting to bring the number down to 25. Take a look at @cocktails_bars instagram story highlights for T25 here.
Charles Schumann Returns 50 Best Industry Icon Award
The World’s 50 Best Bars has announced on social media that it has taken the decision to accept the return of Charles Schumann’s Industry Icon Award 2019 and has confirmed that there will now be no Industry Icon Award winner this year.
“The Industry Icon Award is voted by the members of the 50 Best Academy, which comprises bartenders, bar owners and drink aficionados. Voters are asked to consider a candidate’s contribution to the industry across their career. 50 best takes final responsibility for awarding the winner based on the number of votes cast. It does have a vetting process in place for its awardees, although on this occasion it was unaware of these historical comments made by Mr Schumann.” (source)
Crooked Tailor Bar Closes
Crooked Tailor bar in Castle Hill has announced on social media that it “has had to close its doors” on 8 October 2019, thanking the support of patrons over the last 5 years. Crooked Tailor was part of the House of Pocket Group which now owns Stitch Bar, Button Bar and Pocket Bar Terrigal. Earlier this year, the Group had sold Pocket Bar / Mister Pocket which is now Gorgeous George.
Scotchwhisky.com to Close
The editors of online magazine scotchwhisky.com have announced its imminent closure. “The fact is that, no matter how great the site is – and all of us are immensely proud of what we have achieved – and despite the huge efforts of the people involved in every aspect of its running, from its backers to the backroom staff and designers, to all our wonderful writers, it became clear that this model simply was not financially sustainable.”
“Another home will be found for the many thousands of pages of content from Scotchwhisky.com, and for new and updated coverage of the world of whisky.” (source)
Australian Gin Cocktail Cup
The Australian Gin Cocktail Cup final was held on October 14 2019 at the Barber Shop in Sydney. Contestants were tasked with creating a cocktail using Australian gin and Artisan tonics. Neilsen Braid of Maybe Frank in Surry Hills was declared the winner.
Recommended Reads
- Book Review: All Day Cocktails by Shaun Byrne & Nick Tesar
- Rhode Island Bars Are Replacing Plastic Straws With Pasta (source)
- The Glenlivet capsules: why the hysteria? (source)
Opening a new cocktail bar? Contact us here.
