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INSPIRED BY THE GUEST. GUIDED BY NIKKA.

To create your cocktail, draw inspiration from a real-life encounter with a guest. The idea is not only to tell us what happened, but to show whether that moment changed something in you as a bartender. From there, find a meaningful parallel in the wider Nikka story - whether in the character of the chosen expression, the philosophy of the brand, the spirit of craftsmanship, or in the journey of Masataka Taketsuru and Rita and the experiences that helped shape the spirit of Nikka. Then choose the Nikka expression that truly connects with that moment and let that connection guide the creation of your cocktail.

• We invite each bartender to share an original cocktail recipe with one expression from the Nikka portfolio as the base of the drink.
• Your cocktail should be built around a real encounter with a guest: a conversation, a request, a challenge, or a genuine connection. Describe the situation and how the exchange unfolded.
• Explain what this moment changed in you. How did it influence the way you see service, hospitality, the guest, or yourself as a bartender?
• Then show which part of the Nikka story connects with that moment, and why. Also explain why the Nikka expression you chose is the right one for that connection.
• Finally, explain how your recipe reflects that story. Explain how the name, ingredients, and technique work together with the chosen Nikka expression.

The link between the guest encounter, what you learned from it, the Nikka story, the chosen expression from the Nikka range, and the final drink should be clear and meaningful.

Incomplete forms will not be considered.