Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/26650
WORLD CLASS Inspired and inspiring (from left to right): Brett Fahlgren, GQ Style Correspondent; Gary Hayward, Bombay Sapphire; Mixologists Kristen Shaefer, Jason Asher and Andrew Mirabito; Merlin Griffiths, James Moreland and Milo Rodriguez of Bombay Sapphire. Master Class T o truly stand out from the crowd, an artist must be both inspired and educated. This is the spirit behind Bombay Sapphire’s Inspired Bartender Program. For half a decade, Bombay has been teaching mixologists about the intricate details and unique botanical flavors of its Sapphire gin through this multinational program. Beginning with training seminars in ten major markets, the series has grown to cover dozens of regions, including cities in Canada, Spain, Italy and the U.K. With the purpose of educating more than 1,500 bartenders on the spirit’s unique flavor profile, the Inspired Bartender Program stresses the importance of understanding the EU/EC regulations on the production of gin and its quality levels—as well as Bombay Sapphire’s infinite possibilities in cocktail culture. “We’re working hard to get people to understand what gin really is,” says Gary Hayward, Brand Ambassador for the House of Bombay Gin. “There is a quality product in this bottle, made from 100% natural botanicals.” The key factor in Bombay Sapphire’s expressive flavor is the unique vapor infusion distillation process, resulting in a character composed of ten distinct botanical notes—each of which is perfectly suited to be the base of an inspired cocktail. Bartenders are trained to identify and build upon each botanical’s unique taste and aroma through a “decon- structed” tasting: Each botanical is experienced and analyzed as its own flavor and perfume. 30 / the tasting panel / march 201 1 BOMBAY SAPPHIRE’S INSPIRED BARTENDER PROGRAM PROMOTES THE ART OF MIXOLOGY Of course, the Inspired Bartender Program involves some hands-on education. Each attending bartender puts his or her schooling to the test with a unique cocktail, to be considered by visiting experts, including representatives from the program’s partner, GQ magazine, the United States Bartender Guild and notable mixologists such as Tony Abou-Ganim. “I love bartenders who are creative, but also accessible,” said Hayward. “Cocktails that can be made at home, with ingredients from your cupboard. But we’re also looking for bartenders on all different levels. This is an industry where you don’t gain a palate overnight. Above all, the program is about education.” The regional bartender with the most inspired cocktail will be invited to attend the Inspired Bartender Program finale in Las Vegas. There, each cocktail will be evaluated, and a mixologist will be declared GQ’s Most Inspired Bartender—a designation that includes coverage in GQ magazine. Last year’s finalists were included in a documentary for the IFC channel entitled “The Culture of Quality: The Artisan’s Journey,” viewable now on Bombay Sapphire’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/BombaySapphire). Hayward suggests that interested mixologists reach out to their local Bacardi USA market representative for informa- tion on Inspired Bartender Program seminars and tastings. —Emily Steers