April 18, 2018

World Class Cocktail Week in Puerto Rico: April 23 – 27

World Class Cocktail Week in Puerto Rico: April 23 – 27

Updated Press Release: Mendez & Co. and Diageo with World Class, maximum bartending and mixology platform worldwide, will hold its World Class Cocktail Week and World Class Competition in Puerto Rico next week April 23-26

This will be a week dedicated to raising the art of mixology on the island and to celebrate local cocktail culture with a varied schedule of events for the consumer; including visits by international gurus bar, bartending events, tastings and pairings, local competition of the best bartenders and seminars for industry bars and restaurants in Puerto Rico.

World Whiskey Guru and Senior Portfolio Ambassador Diageo Reserve, Arturo Savage, will be on the island in many facets; as a judge of the local World Class competition, keynote speaker at one of the seminars for bartenders and bar managers, and as host of culinary experience Tasting Table in the Atelier, Open Kitchen Restaurant.

In addition, returning to Puerto Rico is the recognized expert and specialist in mixology bars, Rafael Reyes, who will also be part of the team of judges and will be in charge of the seminars for participants of World Class Competition. Reyes will be a guest bartender at the Serafina Restaurant and Santaella as part of the initiatives of the World Class Cocktail Week.

Lauren Mote, multi award – winning mixologist, sommelier, author and Global Cocktailian Diageo Reserve, who will for the first time the island is part of the team of judges of World Class Competition and will be presenting their cocktails in Santaella during World Class Cocktail Week.

World Class platform brings together the largest portfolio of luxury spirits, including Ketel One vodkas and Ciroc, Scottish whiskeys Buchanan’s 18 Special Reserve and Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve, Johnnie Walker Blue Label 18; Tequila Don Julio, Ron Zacapa, Tanqueray No. TEN gin and Bulleit Bourbon. Said portfolio is distributed locally by Mendez & Co. World Class celebrates the art and culture of mixology, and educates and inspires the consumer to enjoy the experience of a cocktail made carefully, with the best quality liquors.

World Class Competition in Puerto Rico

Over the past 10 years, World Class Competition has been noted for its educational seminars by international mixology talents. The educational phase of the platform gives participants tools to measure their talents in the local competition.

This year, the competition will consist of two (2) challenges measured under different criteria, the talent of the participating bartenders, and a final challenge. The first challenge will be “Witty Bartender”, where participants will have to present a cocktail that addresses the environmental challenges facing Puerto Rico. The second challenge, “Heat of the Moment” will measure skills making cocktails with local ingredients using cooking techniques taught in the seminary. Based on these two challenges the two finalists will advance to the final round in the challenge called “Pop-Up Bar”, deciding to elect the World Class Bartender Puerto Rico 2018. The challenge will be chosen “Pop-Up Bar” focuses on highlight the creativity and inventiveness of mixologist, demonstrating their skills and identity by creating your own bar, menu and how to sell their cocktails.