Johnny Morrison, bar manager at Moskito in Glasgow, has made the final 10 of ‘The Chairman’s Spice Lab’. This is a unique program from Chairman’s Reserve Spiced Rum designed to showcase bartenders’ abilities and understanding of the spiced rum category.
Johnny, as well as Andy Stewart from The Albyn in Aberdeen, are the only 2 Scottish finalists and have been selected from hundreds of entrants throughout the UK due to their unique ideas and understanding of the spiced rum culture
Johnny said, “This competition is dear to me personally because it was the first rum that made me fall in love with the industry. It opened avenues of flavour profiles that I’ve ventured through for over 12 years.
I’m hoping to spread the word across Scotland and beyond as I have so much pride within the industry and especially in Glasgow”
Finalists have received a Chairman’s Reserve spice kit containing 4 spices to be used (vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and dried orange peels), and one bottle of Chairman’s Reserve Original Rum for their spiced rum base. Johnny’s variation is called ‘Chairman’s Reserve Spiced Fig’ and has the added flavours of caramelised fig, cacao and cardamom pods.
Johnny adds, “On the nose you will get almost autumnal notes of cinnamon, orange and chocolate whereas on the palette you will be met with a flurry of spices with jammy fig notes.”
During the first weeks of August, a panel of industry professionals in Saint Lucia, United States, & Europe/UK will select the finalists to move on to Phase Three. We wish Johnny the very best of luck and will certainly be popping in soon to sample his variant!
Picture: Johnny Morrison, Moskito