Local Cocktail Inspiration: NZ in the Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series
Entries have closed and the New Zealand contenders have made their entries - which we wanted to showcase to inspire and celebrate.
The Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series has seriously dialled up the regional and global inspiration and excitement for an outstanding prize — demanding contenders rise to the challenge of inspired storytelling and local provenance. By now, you should know that really spins our wheels here at More Good Drinks.
Why Jameson Black Barrel?
Jameson Black Barrel is a triple distilled blend of small batch grain and single pot Irish whiskey. Matured in double charred barrels, this whiskey boasts sweet and spicy characteristics and is aged for up to 16 years in double charred barrels, making it a full strength whiskey bursting with aromas of toffee and fudge, complemented by a spicy character and a rich vanilla finish. This bold flavour lends itself to cocktails - balancing and enhancing the unique character of the spirit.
We asked Evan Hales, Jameson NZ Ambassador, about the NZ entries this year.
“It’s been awesome seeing the diversity of local flavours, creativity and personality shining through these video entries. The NZ bartender community has a lot to offer, and I’m delighted that this platform can showcase these talented individuals and give them the global recognition they deserve.”We agree, and wanted to share the video entries with you in hopes you’ll be inspired to sit at the bar with each of these outstanding bartenders.
Cal Ross
Introducing the ‘Gravediggers Tribute’ 🥃
- Jameson Black Barrel
- Black Sesame Chartreuse
- UMF 5+ Manuka Honey
- Tongan Vanilla
- NZ Spiced Stout Foam
Meet the Gravediggers Tribute, a tribute to my brother @jamie_adam_ross in the UK. Here is hoping we get to enjoy a Jameson together once again in Dublin 🍀
Raise your glass to the moments shared, even when continents apart 🍻
Jo Thorp-Olesen
Bow Street Sour
This is my entry into this years @jamesonwhiskey competition, championing their Black Barrel.
50ml Jameson Black Barrel 🥃
30ml spiced honey 🍯
30ml lemon juice 🍋
1 egg white 🥚
NZ red wine float 🍷
This cocktail is all about showcasing the last year, being in the outdoors studying horticulture, being with the bees and creating @buzzihoney , all whilst getting more involved in the epic wine industry around Central Otago.
Jameson for me has always been about bringing people together, and what better way to bring together my last year of learning with creating this cocktail, a homage to OG home in Dublin, Bow Street.
Jameson Black Barrel gives nutty notes with spice & vanilla sweetness, complimented by spiced @buzzihoney , a super floral honey and finished off with berry spice and vanilla oak notes from the red wine float.
PJ Renaud
[TĀTOU] 🥃
Jameson Black Barrel • feijoamaro • buttered brioche + marmite oloroso
My entry for the Jameson Black Bartel cocktail competition!
I wanted to make a drink that reflected growing up in Aotearoa, the community based spirit of Kiwis, and keeping our country tidy by keeping it zero waste.
Marmite toast was a staple in every kiwi household growing up, and I thought the bready, toasty, buttery flavours of brioche would perfectly match the bourbon barrel’s flavours in the Jameson Black Barrel. Meanwhile, that savoury edge from marmite would complement the oloroso casks stunningly. So I used distillers enzymes to break down the bread to infuse the breakfast treat into the sherry!
Everyone always had way too many feijoas as well, so I collected as many as I could, fermented and distilled them, and turned them into an amaro with wormwood, mānuka honey and vanilla. The juicy fruit mixed with the honey and vanilla sweetness perfectly sings with classic triple distilled Irish Whiskey!
Tātou means “all of us,” and I couldn’t have made this drink without all of my friends in the bartending community, from Aotearoa and beyond 🥃💜
Andrea Marseglia
JUPITERS ACORN
(A nut fit for Gods)
The word Juglans (WALNUT) is believed to derive from Jovis glans, meaning ‘Jupiter’s acorn’ or ‘Jupiter’s nut’. The Romans associated certain trees with their gods and, in this case, the mighty walnut tree was linked to Jupiter, the king of the gods.
This drink is to showcase how to reuse & enjoy fully all the parts of a walnut, while enhancing the toasted & creamy notes of Jameson Black Barrel.
WALNUT ‘CASCARA’ LIQUEUR
- skin around walnut shell that has a great colour and notes of dates & caramel, soaked for 7 days in grain spirit, diluted with sugar & walnut shell tea.
Brings umami & caramel notes to elevate Black Barrel.
FALLEN LEAVES WALNUT ORGEAT
- I made a stock out of fallen dry walnut leaves as a base for our orgeat, to bring great depth & earthy notes, inspired by @magnusfaviken and his autumn leaves stock.
Then toasted walnuts, sugar, blitzed & fine strain.
Keeping the walnut meal for garnish.
WALNUT RAW BALL
- made with walnut meal, local honey & walnut shell oil mixed together cold.
WALNUT SHELL OIL - was made by blanching walnut shells to tender the shell & blitzing it with oil to bring tannin & slight acidic flavour.
STEAM LEAF PICK
- we saved as well the base of the fallen walnut leaves to make into the pick that holds our garnish.
JUPITERS ACORN
50ML @jamesonwhiskey BLACK BARREL
10ML WALNUT ‘CASCARA’ LIQUEUR
10ML FALLEN LEAVES WALNUT ORGEAT
WALNUT RAW BALL
Ethan Lawn
Michael Glyn Jones
Had never made a video before and so this @jameson_anz Black Barrel comp seemed as good a time as any to start. Apologies for the cheesiness (pun very much intended)!
Presenting "The Black Barrel Cheeseboard", highlighting Kāpiti aged cheddar and walnuts from my mother in law's garden (thanks Jane!)
Dayyana Dimitrova
Jameson Black Barrel | House Pear Liqueur | Manuka Honey Caramel | Citrus | Jasmine Oil
As the winter chill settles over Auckland, New Zealand, there’s no better time to savor the comforting warmth of a truly local libation. Inspired by the lush orchards of our region, we’ve crafted a cocktail that pays homage to the bounty of our land. By marrying the delicate sweetness of locally sourced pears with the rich complexity of Jameson Black Barrel whiskey, we’ve created a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate. The addition of creamy manuka honey lends a unique depth, echoing the earthy sweetness of our native flora. With each sip, you’ll be enveloped in the vanilla sweetness, pot still spiciness, and nutty undertones characteristic of Jameson Black Barrel, while the gentle warmth of winter embraces your senses.
This cocktail is more than just a drink; it’s a celebration of our local terroir, a toast to the flavors that define Auckland, and a testament to the artistry of blending tradition with innovation. So, raise your glass and join us in experiencing the essence of Auckland in every sip. Cheers to warmth, to flavor, and to the spirit of our vibrant city!
The Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series
This year’s competition has been designed to empower bartenders to share passion for their locality, while inspiring the global bar community with creativity and mastery of the craft.
Jameson believes true innovation comes from embracing the diversity of local flavours, methods, techniques and cultural traditions that make our world so vibrant and are excited to see how contenders incorporate those elementsto create an unforgettable cocktail experience with Jameson Black Barrel at it’s heart.
25 x ‘Regional Winners’ will embark on a 3 day, all expenses paid trip to the world famous Midleton Distillery in Ireland, home of Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey, along with 100+ global bar community to attend the ‘Jameson HOSTS Global Summit‘ in September 2024. And €500 each.
Our top 3 x ‘Global Champions’ will each win an additional €5,000 and access to our dedicated Mentorship Sessions hosted by industry heros to drive your growth in key areas such as:
Brand building & creative identity – Remy Savage.
Social media strategy & content creation – Danil Nevsky.
Bar operations & management – Ezra Star & Beckaly Franks.