Cori O’Connor from House of Q (Denver, CO), Tom Dufek from Merchant (Milwaukee, WI), and Noah Roberts from Chicago Distilling Company (Chicago, IL) all won bragging rights and a golden pineapple trophy in their respective cities during the first three heats of the Ultimate Bartender Championship.
Monkey Shoulder Whisky, notorious for its cheeky bartender engagement and playful cocktail creations, has partnered with the United States Bartender Guild to search for the best of the best bartenders with a set of challenges designed to prove proficiency in all aspects of what it takes to be a top bartender. The seven challenges include multiple-choice questions, the mixiodic table, pouring, nosing, stock take, tray service, and round building.
The USBG’s participation in the Ultimate Bartender Challenge underscores its mission to unite the hospitality community to advance professional bartending and empower bartenders to take charge of their careers. Monkey Shoulder Whisky is known for its unique blend of three single-malt Scotches making it both a premium and exceptionally versatile spirit for libations. A true favorite of the cocktail community, Monkey Shoulder Whisky celebrates the bartenders that made it a back bar staple by encouraging them to hone their craft and above all else – play with their whisky.
The search for the Ultimate Bartender kicked off in Denver, CO on Monday, November 16th. Sixteen participants gathered at Punch Bowl Social in Denver to face-up in 7 challenges that tested their knowledge, experience, and skills behind the bar. The competition moved onto Milwaukee’s Whiskey Bar and Chicago’s Brass Monkey where an additional 30 bar managers, mixologists, and bar managers competed for the UBC title.
The winners have claimed bragging rights and in true Monkey Shoulder form- a golden pineapple trophy to display in their respective bars. The overall scores from each heat are entered into the UBC National Leaderboard Board, from which the strongest bartenders will advance to the Grand Finals. In the Finals, the bartenders will hone the next level skills needed to run your own bar. The Ultimate Bartender Championship winner will claim a once-in-a-lifetime prize.
The next stops on the UBC tour will be in Charleston, SC on December 7th and Philadelphia, PA on December 8th. For more information, please visit www.ultimatebartenderchampionship.com.
