2010 Malt Mastermind Finalists

Glenfiddich are set to reveal the winner of this year’s Glenfiddich Malt Mastermind, imminently. The bartending competition, which aims at getting the on-trade more excited about whisky, and specifically Glenfiddich, has been running for the past three months. Glenfiddich Brand Ambassador Jamie Milne told DRAM, “We have had three times the number of entries this year compared to last year’s inaugural event. We’ve also had a more even spread. Last year the majority of the entries were from Scotland. As a result we have selected four finalists from Scotland and four from England.”
The Scottish finalists are Michael Allan of the Raconteur, Edinburgh; David Sinclair of Gleneagles Hotel; Andrew Miller of the Elbow, Edinburgh and defending his title Colin McMillan of the Three Judges in Glasgow.
Explains Jamie, “First of all contestants had to fill in an online questionnaire. If they successfully answered the questions they went through to the next round. Then they had to think up an innovative serve for Glenfiddich. Something unusual. The best score on the questionnaire and the best idea for the serve took the finalists through.”
Jamie concludes, “Through this competition, which reflects our pioneering spirit, we are looking to create a host of new ambassadors who can help to demystify the category, raise the credentials of malt whisky and show consumers how versatile and accessible the liquid can be.”
The winner receives a trophy, a £1,000 cash prize and a VIP trip to the Glenfiddich distillery where they will get the exclusive opportunity to taste a range of rare expressions.
As we went to press the finalists were competing. So check the DRAM website for details of the winner. www.dramscotland.co.uk