By Adrian Thomas
Wild Turkey Bourbon's father and son team of master distillers will visit Australia in late July to help launch its award-winning Russell Reserve Single Barrel.
In addition to the launch of the Russell Reserve Single Barrel, Wild Turkey Bourbon is launching a competition to find the most influential cocktail bars and bartenders in Australia with prize money and the chance to meet the father and son duo.
Jimmy and Eddie Russell regard this new release as one of their finest bourbon's to date with Jimmy Russell stating: "This is bourbon at its best."
Jimmy added: "What is incredibly special about the Russell's Reserve Single Barrel is that each barrel has its own personality but still captures the rich, creamy toffee/vanilla style of Russell's Reserve and then takes it to another level."
Campari Australia's national brand ambassador Oliver Stuart stated the importance of their visit explaining: "Jimmy Russell is one of bourbon's elder statesmen, having worked with Wild Turkey for over 60 years, together with co-master distiller, his son, Eddie Russell, this competition is an extraordinary opportunity for bartenders to meet these two international legends of bourbon."
The competition requires bartenders to create a signature cocktail based on the theme of "Modern American Classic" using either Russell's Reserve 10 Year Old or Russell's Reserve Single Barrel. Campari Australia brand ambassadors will visit the participating venues where the cocktails will be judged on taste, presentation, creativity, story and promotion.
The judging period will be 14 June to 12 July and three finalists will be flown to Sydney to meet the master distillers where the legends will judge the overall winner.
The finalists' prize will include flights, accommodations and meals while in Sydney, and in addition the winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize and a signed bottle of Russell's Reserve 10 Year Old from the first ever batch created in 1998.
To enter the competition, venues must stock Russell's Reserve 10 Year Old and prior to commencement of the competition, venues will need to confirm with their Campari Australia representative that they will take part in the competition.
Do you have a story or a tip for The Shout? Email the editor.