Icy Ling, CEO and Co-Founder of IC & Co

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MOUTAI’S “ENTER THE DRAGON 3” COCKTAIL COMPETITION TOP TEN FINALISTS REVEALED

18 Oct 2024

Moutai, China’s most iconic spirit and the world’s No.1 beverage brand has proudly unveiled the top ten finalists in its prestigious ‘Enter The Dragon 3’ Australian cocktail competition.

This groundbreaking event will see the nation’s top bartenders from renowned bars and restaurants come together to celebrate their shared passion for innovation and craftsmanship, offering participants the chance to experiment with the rich, versatile flavours of Moutai and introduce new, unforgettable cocktail experiences to the world.

The competition, designed to challenge the creativity of the region’s top bartenders, required participants to submit an original cocktail recipe incorporating 30mL of Moutai. The next stage will see finalists demonstrate their unique creations, presenting their cocktail vision in just five minutes to a panel of distinguished judges. These experts evaluated each entrant’s ability to capture the essence of Moutai while blending flavours, technique and innovation into their final masterpiece.

The top ten finalists and their cocktails are: Bertie Boekemann - Now and Then, NSW?Brendan Scott Grey - Bar Love, WA; Cristiano Beretta - Pocket Bar Terrigal, NSW, Dave Whitehead - 18th Amendment, Geelong VIC, Doris Yiyang Gao - PS40, NSW, Ed Quatermass - Cuatro Group, QLD, Gorge Camorra - Non Disclosure Bar, Geelong VIC, Jono Carr - Chuck & Sons, NSW, Jenny Wang - Sokyo, QLD, and Simon Dacey - Applewood Distillery, SA.

Commenting on the incredible talent this year, Dan Zhao, Brand and Marketing Manager of Moutai Australia, said: “This year’s ‘Enter The Dragon 3’ competition has been nothing short of extraordinary. We’ve seen a record number of entries, and the creativity displayed by bartenders has been truly astounding. The ability to pair Moutai’s rich complexity with diverse ingredients has shone through, and we can’t wait to see these finalists compete in the final round” at the end of the month”.

The grand finale will unfold over two exciting days at the iconic Sydney Opera House on October 27 and 28, where the top ten finalists will battle for the coveted title of Moutai Master and a $10,000 prize, showcasing their bartending mastery in an electrifying showdown.

The ‘Enter The Dragon 3’ Moutai cocktail competition continues to establish itself as a distinctive platform, celebrating its ability to connect like-minded professionals and enthusiasts, fostering a community and providing bartenders with the unique opportunity to engage with one of the world’s most storied spirits, pushing the boundaries of creativity and craftsmanship in every glass.

The Drink Cabinet’s Jason Crawley, who is leading the production of the competition said, “Workers on the front lines of the hospitality industry are in real need of a morale boost right now. This competition empowers bartenders to showcase their creativity nationally, and the prospect of winning a life-changing substantial prize. Through my conversations with hundreds of entrants, I’ve seen a strong sense of optimism and gratitude for this opportunity. Now in its third year, Moutai’s ‘Enter the Dragon 3’ Competition is designed to be inclusive, welcoming participants of all skill levels. Judges will seek innovative ideas that complement this remarkable liquid.”

Moutai is an esteemed brand of baijiu (pronounced “bye-joe”), a traditional Chinese spirit with a history spanning over 4,000 years. Often compared to Whisky, Gin, and Rum in terms of prestige, baijiu saw significant growth during the Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD) when an early form of distillation was developed. Today, baijiu is the world’s most consumed spirits category, with Moutai at the pinnacle as China’s national spirit.

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