The Tasting Panel magazine

September 2016

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78  /  the tasting panel  /  september 2016 COMPETITIONS hen William Grant decided to transform his life savings into a distillery, he sought to produce the "best dram in the valley." And for the past 129 years, Glenfiddich has embodied this vision. Showing off the diversity and versatility of its portfolio, The Tasting Panel's Glenfiddich Kindred Spirit competition brought 14 bartenders from across the country to present how they serve Glenfiddich at their accounts. After sev- eral days of exploring Scotland and the Glenfiddich and Balvenie distilleries with Jennifer Wren, Brand Ambassador, Glenfiddich West, the contestants made their way to the Malt Barn Bar, located in the original building of William Grant's distillery, to recreate their serve for a panel of judges. In its second year, which we unofficially dubbed The Year of Smoke—since nearly half of the entries utilized a burning element in their serve and a couple of contestants' wood was provided from American oak barrel shavings from Glenfiddich's on-site cooperage—the five judges faced a very difficult decision of choosing between eight unique and perfectly-executed serves. Mathieu Gordon, a Grant family member, summed up the most important factors guiding the choice: "We are craftsman, looking for people who are showing off our craft, along with their own." In the end, they concluded that Kyle Thousand, General Manager, and Chas Williams, Head Bartender, from The Oakland Art Novelty Company in Ferndale, MI, best expressed William Grant's original dream and captured the spirit of Glenfiddich. by Emily Coleman / photos by John Paul The judging panel (left to right): Mathieu Gordon, a Grant family mem- ber; Michael Giardina, Senior Brand Manager, Glenfiddich; Jonathan Grant, a Grant family member; Josh Weltmer, winner of the 2015 Glenfiddich Kindred Spirit competi- tion; and Emily Coleman, Managing Editor of The Tasting Panel.

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