Six bars listed in the ‘World’s 50 Best Bars’ - Dandelyan in London (#2); Indulge in Taipei (#28); Imperial in Tel Aviv (#50); Bramble in Edinburgh (#52); Ruby in Copenhagen (#58) and Red Frog in Lisbon (#92) - will take part in the ‘swap’ whereby selected bartenders switch locations for four days of liberation and education.
During their visit, bartenders will be immersed in the culture, sights, smells, tastes and experiences around them to experiment, inspire and create before carrying out a guest shift at their host bar at night to put their new-found ingredients and recipes into practice.
Naked Grouse is a brand founded on the ethos of challenging conventions for unique and bolder flavours. Bar Swap was formed in 2017 after a desire to integrate the philosophy of the brand – discovery, adventure and passion - amongst the trade. The 2018 Bar Swap expedition follows the success of last year’s exchange between world-renowned bars, Himkok in Oslo; Tjoget in Stockholm; East End and FRANK in Taipei; Kilo Lounge in Singapore and Asia’s number one bar - the Manhattan Bar, also in Singapore.
As well as a day of authentic experiences in their host city leaving no stone unturned, visiting bartenders this year will host a workshop to inspire and educate 150 local bartenders on what they believe to be ‘The Future of the Whisky Serve’.
‘The Future of the Whisky Serve’ theme is new for this year’s Bar Swap and is a concept which encourages bartenders to explore their creativity and passion for drink making. The idea-sharing concept aims to engage bartenders with Naked Grouse and encourage them to experiment with the blended malt, with the goal of inspiring the next generation of younger whisky drinkers with new and exciting whisky serves.
Henry Philip, Global Brand Ambassador at Naked Grouse, added: “At the heart of Bar Swap is an ambition to propel the Naked Grouse brand across the world. The program was launched to encourage bartenders from the best bars in the world to share ideas, mix cultures, challenge convention and ultimately inspire more people to try Scotch whisky.”
What is Naked?
Naked Grouse was created to offer a whisky at its most uncomplicated. The blended malt matured in first fill Oloroso sherry oak casks. It is from these "naked" casks that have never held whisky before that Naked Grouse takes its name and its distinctive flavour. The ageing process, along with a blend of Single Malts results in a rich and fruity whisky with a soft spice finish.
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Naked Grouse has been awarded the following industry awards to date:
Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2018 – Chairman’s Trophy
Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2018 - Greatest Value
Ultimate Spirits Challenge - 96 points (Extraordinary Ultimate Recommendation)
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2018 – Gold for Malt Whisky
Bartenders Brand Awards - Gold Taste 2018
Bartenders Brand Awards - Silver Design 2018
The new blended malt received five stars and the Highest Recommendation in F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal earlier this year, credited as “A spectacular blend of the finest rank” and “a tribute to the art of Scottish blending”. Naked Grouse has also been described by leading Scotch whisky critic Dave Broom as being “targeted straight at the pleasure zones.”