Feature: The Wild Turkey Cocktail Competition 2015

let’s begin

What a day. My second Wild Turkey Cocktail Competition and I could not have wished for much more: an evening the night before with Master Distiller Eddie Russell, an exclusive interview with the man the next morning followed by lunch and a Wild Turkey Forgiven dram together ahead of a full afternoon watching and sampling the top nine mixologists in the country battle it out in East London to be crowned champion.

Master Distiller, Eddie Russell of Wild Turkey® Bourbon announced the winner of the 2015 Wild Turkey Cocktail Competition as Dan Bovey of BE @ 1 Bar in Bristol with his winning drink Russell’s Preserve. Along with the 2 runners up Robin Honhold of White Lyan and Adam Binnersley of MOJO, Dan will be taken on a trip of a lifetime to the home of bourbon in Kentucky as well as a pit stop in New York City to try out some of the top bars in the world, care of Wild Turkey Bourbon.

Eddie’s visit to the UK to judge the final comes after he was announced as Wild Turkey’s Master Distiller earlier this year, joining his father Jimmy Russell to become the only father and son duo in the industry with almost 100 years’ experience between them. Speaking about the contenders for Wild Turkey champ, Eddie said:

“Everybody did a great job, I know me being here sort of makes people a little nervous, although they shouldn’t be because I’m just an old Kentucky Boy.”

“These are the guys who are growing the industry and doing such a wonderful job.”

“Dan’s drink made the most of the flavours in our bourbon, coupled with what he knew about Wild Turkey without having been at the distillery makes Dan a worthy winner this year.”

To make Dan’s winning cocktail Russell’s Preserve you will need:

45ml Wild Turkey 81
15ml Apricot Syrup (made with 50% apricot jam, 50% sugar syrup)
22ml Lemon Juice
2 dash Regans bitters
15ml Brewdog Sink the Bismark
15ml Egg White
Method: Shaken
Glass: Rocks
Ice: Cubed
Garnish: Hops and Orange Zest

Here are the photos.

Tags: BourbonRyeWild TurkeyWild Turkey Cocktail Competition

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.