The finalists from the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, South Africa, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Bulgaria will be competing in the Make it at Bushmills finals.

The line-up for the finals was decided by votes, cast by members of the public, on Facebook, for the hundreds of contenders who originally entered the competition. Launched in the New York Stock Exchange on St Patrick’s Day, it offers a prize of a 30 day stay in Bushmills, a chance to be the first person ever from outside the distillery staff to create a new blend of the whiskey, a month’s luxury penthouse accommodation in Ireland and £5,000 spending money.

The overall winner will be selected following a two-day ‘Bushcamp’ later this month when contestants will face the Master’s Challenge – a test of skill set by master distiller Colum Egan. The performance of the contenders will be judged by a panel that includes Irish rugby legend, Keith Wood and Foy Vance, a singer-songwriter.

Colum Egan said: “All of the finalists have done a fantastic job to make it this far – they have already won their place at Bushcamp. Their character, sense of humour and passion for life are what inspired people to vote for them. I have no doubt these qualities will be tested at Bushcamp when all nine contenders attempt to prove to us they have what it takes to make it at Bushmills.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the interest Make it at Bushmills has generated and it’s been fantastic to see the competition talked about in blogs, magazines, newspapers and TV shows all around the world.

“The strong international interest in Bushmills is further reflected in the fact that since creating our first official Bushmills Global Facebook page earlier this year, it has attracted more than 30,000 fans, making it the world’s second biggest Irish Whiskey Facebook site.”

The finalists’ progress at Bushcamp will be charted on-line from 25-26 August at the Bushmills Facebook page - facebook.com/bushmills1608.

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