As every year, the semi-final phase of the international NIKKA Whisky competition was completed, where the top 15 countries for Japanese whiskey, including Greece, were invited to highlight their most talented bartender in order to represent them in the grand final on December 3rd in Paris.
The big prize? The top duo for 2024 will enjoy a fantastic trip to Japan where they will get to know the bartending scene of Tokyo up close, as well as the two famous distilleries of NIKKA (Yoichi and Miyagikyo).
Thus, in Greece, the top 10 professionals in the field were selected who participated based on their recipe and the philosophy/history that accompanied it. They were therefore invited to compete in the final of October 30 at the amazing venue of MANCO ATHENS, part of ONE AND ONLY AESTHESIS, in order to emerge as the big winner for our country for 2024.
This year’s theme of the contest was highly festive: On the occasion of NIKKA WHISKY’s 90thbirthday, the contestants had to create a recipe that would incorporate the dual character of NIKKA (Scotland with Japan/malt and grain whisky/Yoichi and Miyagikyo), while at the same time proudly serving it to NIKKA’s founder, Masataka Taketsuru, or his wife Rita. if they were visiting their bar for the 90th anniversary of NIKKA.
A very important element of the competition was, as every year, the 3 carefully selected judges, who played various roles in each contestant, with the latter having to respond hospitably and with a smile, serving them the most suitable cocktails, but also the recipe that gave them a place in the final 10. And all this in English!
It is, therefore, a very special competition that honors our country and its bartending community, which skillfully manages such a demanding and characterful product as NIKKA whisky.
The event of the final for Greece was honored with his presence, but also with a highly interesting and experiential workshop for the finalists, the Global Hospitality Ambassador NIKKA, Stanislav Vadrna.
The big winner for 2024 was Giorgos Ageev, from Thessaloniki and the ARIA Cocktail bar, who impressed the jury with his warm presence, hospitable mood and cocktails that made a sensation.
We wish him every success in the World Final in Paris, and we are happy to be proud of the 2ndworld winner (!) NIKKA Whiskey from the co-capital!
