Winner of U.S. Finals Will Compete Amongst International Top Storytellers at Bramble Bar in Scotland
Leslie Ross of Beaver’s Ice House in Houston, Texas, has earned the chance to represent the United States in the 2012 Caorunn Gin Storytellers Global Cocktail Challenge to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland September 3rd. Leslie beat out three other U.S. finalists in New Orleans at Tales of the Cocktail 2012.
The bartenders were challenged to create a cocktail for a panel of judges drawing inspiration from one or more of Caorunn’s five Celtic botanicals: Rowan Berry, Coul Blush Apple, Heather, Dandelion and Bog Myrtle. Leslie’s winning cocktail, The Moorish Idol:
1.5 oz Caorunn Gin
2 oz fresh pressed cloudy apple juice
2 barspoonfulls of Heather Honey
.75 oz Pimm’s No1
2 oz float of Brewdog Dogma
“I was inspired by the Heather and Coul Blush Apple botanicals in Caorunn and proud of the cocktail that came together,” said Leslie Ross, Top U.S. Storyteller. “I’m very excited to represent the U. S. in Scotland and I want to thank Caorunn Gin and the distiller, Simon Buley, for making a beautiful product and I hope that I represent it well.” Hear more from Leslie here: Leslie Ross <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7QvfyjBXME&feature=plcp>
The Global Finals competition will be held at Bramble Bar in Edinburgh, Scotland, the first bar in Scotland to be included in Bartender Magazine’s Top 20. Leslie will compete against finalists from Australia, England, Scotland and Spain.
“Leslie exemplified exactly the characteristics we were looking for in the Caorunn Storyteller,” said Simon Buley, Caorunn Gin Master, pictured above with Leslie. “She showed her ability to engage and entertain the audience while serving a quality Caorunn cocktail. We look forward to seeing her compete in the finals.”
While in Scotland, the competitors will have the opportunity to travel to and tour Caorunn’s Balmenach Distillery with Caorunn Gin Master, Simon Buley. The winner of the Global Finals will receive a cash prize and his or her winning drink will be promoted worldwide as a signature Caorunn cocktail.
Caorunn (pronounced “ka-roon”), is a handcrafted, small batch distilled Scottish gin <http://www.caorunngin.com/> infused with five Celtic botanicals designed to work perfectly in martinis and cocktails but is also smooth enough to enjoy on its own. The gin is named for one of the botanicals, the fabled rowan berry, which has inspired Celtic medicines and recipes for generations. Caorunn is naturally balanced, dry, clean and crisp and best served with a slice of red apple. It is handcrafted in small batches, usually 1,000 liters, at Balmenach Distillery in Scotland’s Spey Valley. Caorunn was awarded a gold medal for its superior quality taste by The Beverage Testing Institute. It is marketed by International Beverage. For more information, visit http://www.caorunngin.com/
