NIKKA PERFECT SERVE
NIKKA PERFECT SERVE
We are pleased to announce that the Nikka Perfect Serve is back in 2023! This year, 16 regionals contests will be held welcoming bartenders across Europe, USA, Australia, Singapore & Malaysia.
ICHI-GO, ICHI-E
“One moment, one encounter.” The Japanese Ichi-go Ichi-e philosophy is the guiding principle behind the Nikka Perfect Serve bartending competition. Every encounter is unique and can never be repeated, and so we must give our very best at all times.
FOCUS ON THE GUEST
The Nikka Perfect Serve encourages bartenders to place the guest at the heart of the bar experience. Bartenders must be attentive and aware of their guest’s presence, state of mind, and palate in order to offer the most suitable service and cocktail at that specific moment. The process is as important as the cocktail itself.
“The door separates the guest-centric world from the outside world. The most important moment of truth throughout the whole experience is when the guest appears and disappears through the doorway.”
OMAKASE
As in previous years, the contest will continue to focus on omakase: “I leave it to you.” Judges playing the roles of indecisive customers will act as different characters and ask the bartender to improvise a bespoke Nikka cocktail.
Experienced bartenders will have a large repertoire of cocktail recipes in mind at all times, and will be able to choose, twist and adapt them to serve the most appropriate Nikka cocktail for each situation played out by the judges
2023 THEME:
THE OTHER HALF
This year’s “The Other Half” theme pays homage to the duality at the heart of Nikka, from its very beginnings building a bridge between Scotland to Japan, the love story between founder Masataka and his wife Rita, the two malt distilleries Yoichi & Miyagikyo, but also in Nikka blended whiskies which marry both malt and grain whiskies produced in both traditional and innovative ways.
Your challenge for 2023 is to create the “Other Half” of a Nikka whisky, gin or vodka of your choice. Showcase your creativity and understanding of Nikka by pairing a neat serve of your favourite Nikka expression alongside a non-alcoholic cocktail or mixed drink, which will enhance, harmonize and/or complement the flavours of the neat spirit to create a harmonious and complex experience. Nikka and the Other Half!
RULES
3 JUDGES
The judges will play the roles of guests and act out different scenarios.
15 MINUTES TO SERVE
You will be a bartender to host the 3 judges and serve drinks within 15 minutes.
1 STRAIGHT NIKKA + “OTHER HALF” PAIRING
2 OMAKASE COCKTAILS
2 judges will individually ask you to prepare a Nikka cocktail, which you should improvise based on the role they are playing. These can be classic cocktails, originals or twists, based on ingredients available at the hosting bar and one of the available Nikka whiskies or spirits.
The third judge will ask you to prepare the “Other Half” non-alcoholic mixed drink pairing you created for your application along with the neat serve of the Nikka whisky, gin or vodka of your choice.
JUDGING PERSPECTIVES
The judges will score contestants based on the entire experience: hospitality, communication, bartending skills, product knowledge, as well as the choice and quality of the drinks.
They will also test your knowledge about the brand. You have plenty information on this website !
You can also visit the Japanese Website.
NO HOMEMADE INGREDIENTS, GLASSWARE
For the two omakase cocktail serves, contestants may only use ingredients or glassware available at the hosting bar.
NIKKA LINE-UP
. Nikka From the Barrel
. Nikka Days
. Nikka Coffey Grain
. Nikka Coffey Malt
. Nikka Coffey Gin
. Nikka Coffey Vodka
. Yoichi Single Malt
. Miyagikyo Single Malt
. Taketsuru Pure Malt
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Note: The selection of products may vary depending on market availability.
THE PRIZE
The winner and runner-up of the finals will be invited on a trip to Japan to experience the Japanese bar scene and visit Nikka’s distilleries: Yoichi and Miyagikyo!
REGIONAL CONTESTS
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- FRANCE – Paris, June 26 – Registration close June 12
- AUSTRALIA – Sydney, July 4th – Registration close June 12
- THE NETHERLANDS
- USA
- SWITZERLAND
- CZECH REPUBLIC
- PORTUGAL
- UK
- ITALY
- GREECE
- GERMANY & AUSTRIA
- SINGAPORE & MALAYSIA
- HUNGARY
- POLAND
- DUBAI
- DANEMARK – October 30th (city to be confirmed soon) – Registration close October 15
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GLOBAL FINALS – The winners of the regional contests will represent their country on December 3rd and 4th in San Francisco, USA.
Relive the 2022 final
Anistatia Miller
Interview of judge
Patrick Pistolesi
Interview of judge
Naoki Tomoyoshi
Interview of judge
Stanislav Vadrna
Interview
Daniele Salviato
Interview
WINNER : Daniele Salviato
Runner-Up : Honza Vlasák
FINALISTS
FRANCE – Christopher McNulty – Candelaria
THE NETHERLANDS – Sergej Platonov – Law & Order Bar
DENMARK – Enrica Falamaschia – Goldfinch
AUSTRALIA – Aiden Rodriquez – Eau de Vie
USA – Chase Wilhelmsen – Andaz Maui
BELGIUM – Bart Capoen – Jiggers
SWITZERLAND – Giorgio Haegi Stefano – Herz
SLOVAKIA – Samantha Pracharova – Bubbles Ponton
CZECH REPUBLIC – Honza Vlasák – Liquid Office Bar
SPAIN & PORTUGAL– João Resende – Café Klandestino
UK – Ivan Villegas – The NoMad Hotel
ITALY – Daniele Salviato – Cloakroom Cocktail
GREECE – Ilias Balaras – Epavli Marokkou no
GERMANY & AUSTRIA – Sebastian Bauer – Home Bar München
JUDGES
Anistatia Miller : Co-author of Spirituous Journey: A History of Drink
Patrick Pistolesi : Founder of the Drink Kong in Rome(#16 of World 50 Best Bars 2022)
Naoki Tomoyoshi : International Business Development Representative Nikka Whisky
PLACE & DATE
Technical Round – Archivio Storico, Naples, Italy
Omakase Round – Antiquario, Naples, Italy
November 28th & 29th 2022
WINNER : Asterios Psarras
Runner-up : Jena Ellenwood
FINALISTS
France — Murielle Presani – Snug
United Kingdom — Tomislav Pandza – Nocturnal Animals
Finland — Mathias Rossie – Frida’s
Russia — Egor Stepanov – Syrovarnya
Czech Republic — Michael Hanák – Bonvivant’s CTC
United States (West) — Payman Bahmani – Shibumi
United States (East) — Jena Ellenwood – Dear Irving
Greece — Asterios Psarras – Boheme
Spain — Irina Lai-Kon – Bobby’s Free
Italy — Raffaele Bellomi – Archivio
The Netherlands — Mihaela Popov – Oldenhof
Germany — Steffen Liebehenz – Lang Bar
JUDGES
Erik Lorincz from Kwānt, London, United Kingdom
Rogerio Igarashi Vaz from Bar Trench, Tokyo, Japan
Emiko Kaji, International Nikka Whisky Representative, Japan
PLACE & DATE
The Everleigh, Melbourne, Australia
December 2nd 2019
WINNER : GUILLAUME QUENZA
Second : Ferenc Haraszti
FINALISTS
France – Guillaume Quenza – Fréquence
Belgium – Jente Gees – Booze Cruise
United Kingdom – Mikey Pendergast – East London Liquor Cie
Slovakia – Gabriel Farkaš – Antique American Bar
Scandinavia – Roy Atarodi – Strom Bar
Italy – Alessandro Zampieri – Il Mercante
Russia – Irina Golubeva – Santo Spirito
Portugal – Semi M’zoughi – Bar Toca da Raposa
Greece – Panagiotis Kottas – LOKAΛ bar
Austria – Ferenc Haraszti – Austrian Bar
United States (East) – Abigail Gullo – Compere Lapin
United States (West) – Adam Stearns – Terranea Resort
JUDGES
Charles Schumann from the Schumann’s Bars, Munich, Germany
Jim Meehan from the PDT, New York, USA
Emiko Kaji, International Nikka Whisky representative, Japan
PLACE & DATE
Hôtel Grande Bretagne, Athens
November 26th 2018
WINNER : Iakobos Kostantas
Second : Baijie Curdt-Christiansen
FINALISTS
France Jonathan Le Mée Sherry Butt, Paris
UK Luke Robinson Super Lyan, London
Denmark Baijie Curdt-Christiansen Lidkoeb, Copenhagen
Poland Sławomir Kowalczyk 17 Schodów Cocktail Bar, Szczecin
Italy Matteo Rebuffo The Mad Dog
Switzerland Anja Rubin Bar Baltazar, Basel
Russia Ekaterina Efimova Keanu, Moscow
Greece Iakobos Kostantas Oz cocktail bar, Chios
Slovakia Zdenko Michlik Antique American Bar, Bratislava
Germany André Zauner Provocateur, Berlin
JUDGES
Roggerio Igarashi Vaz of Bar Trench, Japan
Dave Broom, whisky writer and journalist, UK
Emiko Kaji, International Nikka Whisky representative, Japan
PLACE & DATE
Pegu Club, New York City
December 4th 2017
WINNER : Tomasz Źródłowski
Second : Nathan Shearer
FINALISTS
Italy, Milan, Niccolò Avanzi Excelsior Hotel Gallia
Spain, Madrid, Daniel Burgos Hinchado Casa del pez
Denmark, Copenhagen, Greta Dauksaite Ytting The Market
France, Paris, Nicolas Chaumery Candelaria
Czech Rep, Prague, Peter Bobula Zanzi Bar
Portugal, Faro Algarve, Jaime Twissell Bovino Stekhouse
Greece, Thessaloniki, Alexander Sourmpatis Spinte
Poland, Kraków, Tomasz Źródłowski Mercy Brown
Germany, Berlin, Jumpei Yamamoto Salut bar
UK, London, Nathan Shearer Callooh Callay
JUDGES
Charles Schuman, Schumann’s Bar & Fleurs du mal, Germany
Pino Perrone, organiser of the Rome Whisky Festival, Italy
Emiko Kaji, International Nikka Whisky representative, Japan
PLACE & DATE
Chorus Cafe in Rome, Italy
November 28th 2016
WINNER : William Hetzel
Second : Krisztián Csigó
FINALISTS
France William Hetzel Bar Termini, London (précédemment au Bar 8 du Mandarin Oriental, Paris)
UK James Bowker The Edgbaston Boutique Hotel and Cocktail Lounge, Birmingham
Belgium Vitas Van de Cauter Uncle Babe’s Burger Bar, Gand
Hungary Krisztián Csigó Boutiq’Bar, Budapest
Denmark Goran Aziz Strøm Bar, Copenhague
Italy Luca Cappietti Stravinskij Bar at Hotel de Russie, Rome
Switzerland Günther Strobl Clouds Bar, Zurich
Greece Evangelos Nomikos Matsuhisa, Athènes
Germany Thomas Kunze Clouds Heaven’s Bar & Kitchen, Hambourg
Finland Laura Nissinen A21 Decades, Helsinki
JUDGES
Erik Lorincz: head bartender at the American Bar – Savoy Hotel, UK
Neil Ridley: spirits writer and consultant, UK
Emiko Kaji: International Nikka Whisky representative, Japan
PLACE & DATE
Beaufort Bar of the Savoy Hotel in London, UK
November 23rd 2015
WINNER : Jørgen Dons
Second : Krystof Hordina
FINALISTS
France Simon Chollet Sherry Butt, Paris
UK Ernest Reid Boisdale of Canary Wharf, Londres
Pologne Maciej Szymański Varsovie
Belgique Nick Baeyens Uncle Babe’s Burger Bar, Gand
La Réunion Yannick Combot Palm Hotel, Saint Pierre
Italie Valentino Longo Splendor Parthenopes, Rome
Espagne Gegham Ghazaryan El Portal, Alicante
Rép. Tchèque Krystof Hordina La Casa de la Havana vieja, Prague
Danemark Michael Olsson U Bar at Umami, Copenhague
Russie Irina Golubeva Tribeca, Moscou
Allemagne Meike Zimmermann Falk’s Bar – Hotel Bayerischer Hof München, Munich
Norvège Jørgen Dons Raus En Bar, Trondheim
JUDGES
Charles Schumann: Schumann’s Bar & Fleurs du mal, Germany
Dave Broom: whisky writer and journalist, UK.
Emiko Kaji: International Nikka Whisky representative, Japan
PLACE & DATE
Lux Hotel on La Réunion island
December 1st 2014
WINNER : Jesse den Dulk
Second : Patrick Pistolesi
FINALISTS
France Roman Tournay Le Carmen, Paris
Belqique Jesse den Dulk Jigger’s, The Noble Drugstore, Gand
UK Luca Missaglia Quo Vadis, Londres
Suède Nicolas Truedsson Hornhuset, Stockholm
Italie Patrick Pistolesi Barnum Cafè, Rome
Allemagne Mohamed Kaba Momo’s Bar, Wiesbaden
Rép. Tchèque Milos Danihelka AnonymouS Bar, Prague
Russie Stepan Balabanov DeFAQto, Moscou
Danemark Jonas Andersen STRØM, Copenhague
Espagne Joao Bizcaia Magatzem Escolà, Barcelona
JUDGES
Charles Schumann: Schumann’s Bar & Fleurs du mal, Germany.
Frank-Michael Böer: organiser of the « Finest Spirits » festival, Germany.
Emiko Kaji: International Nikka Whisky representative, Japan.
PLACE & DATE
Les fleurs du mal in Munich, Germany
December 1st 2014
WINNER : Amaury Guyot
Second : Doreen Philipp
FINALISTS
Amaury Guyot – Sherry Butt, Paris, France
Doreen Philipp – Falk’s Bar, Munich, Allemagne
Adam McGurk – The Hawksmoor, Londres, UK
Tommaso Colonna – Caffè Gambrinus, Gravina, Italie
Ilya Bubashvili – Aloha Bar, Moscou, Russie
Adam Hrapko – Black Angels, Prague, Rép. Tchèque
JUDGES
Salim Khoury, former head bartender at the American Bar – Savoy Hotel, UK
Charles MacLean, Scottish whisky expert
Emiko Kaji, International Nikka Whisky representative, Japan
PLACE & DATE
Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow, Scotland
November 5th 2012
WINNER : Jørgen Dons
Second : Krystof Hordina
FINALISTS
London, Connaught Bar, Rastislav Cerven, Connaught Hotel
Munich, die Goldene Bar, Maxim Kilian, Saloon
Stockholm, Operakällaren, Andrea Leon, independent
Madrid, O’Clock, Carlos Moreno, O’Clock Bar
Moscow, Bar Show, Bogdan Petrov, Brand bartender in charge of “2 chopsticks” japanese restaurant chain
Rome, Hotel de Russie, Daniele Gentili, Micca Club
Prague, Cafe Vitkov, Milos Danihelka, Hemingway Bar
Paris, LMDW Fine Spirits, Joseph Akhavan, La Conserverie
Amsterdam, The College Hotel, David Trampe, Barrelproof boutique
Varsovie, International Bartender & Sommelier School, Małgorzata Kolbowska, Snooker Space
Monaco, Fairmont Hotel, Julien Masson, Buddha Bar
JUDGES
Charles Schumann of Schumann’s Bar in Munich, Germany
Dave Broom, Whisky writer and journalist
Philippe Faure Brac, meilleur sommelier du monde
Emiko Kaji, International Nikka Whisky representative, Japan
PLACE & DATE
Au Park Hyatt in Paris, France
November 21st 2011
WINNER : Carlos Madriz
FINALISTS
Andreas Bergman, Bageriet Bar – Franzen & Lindeberg, Stockholm, SWEDEN
Antonio Parlapiano, Moma Cocktail Bar, Latina, ITALIA
Jordy Baques, CL Pau Claris 192, Barcelona, Spain
Eduard Ondráček, Hotel U prince / BLACK ANGEL’S BAR, Praha 1, Cezch Republic
Krischan Knoll, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Marcin Myslinski, Hyatt Group Andaz, London, UK
Miguel Santos, Crystal Lounge, Bruxelles, Belgique
Terkel Kleist, Salon 39 frederiksberg, Danemark
Carlos, L’hôtel, Paris, France
JUDGES
Mark Gillespie, WhiskyCast podcaster, USA
Carina Soto Velásquez, co-founder of Candelaria in Paris, France
Emiko Kaji, International Nikka Whisky representative, Japan
PLACE & DATE
Nomiya à Paris, France
November 27th 2010
