Callum Palmer wins Boutique-y vs. the World competition
Callum Palmer, of Nottingham’s Tilt Bar, has won the Boutique-y vs. the World competition!
That Boutique-y Whisky Company asked all drink lovers from industry professionals to amateurs to mix up a storm for its first cocktail competition. The multi-award-winning independent bottler, which was established in 2012 and won Best Independent Bottler at the 2023 Spirits Business Awards, asked each entrant to create a cocktail from a total of five ingredients taking inspiration from the word MOOSE including the brand’s eight-year-old Canadian Corn Whisky.
Palmer’s serve, titled ‘Comrades Stick Together’ came out on top as the judges were impressed with his serve, creativity and engaging presentation. Marks were awarded for name, story of the serve, ingredients and garnish, as well as drinkability, with Palmer being commended for his telling of the history of the sticky toffee (it originated in Canada, who knew?) and knowledge on what would balance the notes of the Canadian Corn was ultimately what netted him the crown.
Callum Palmer, of Nottingham’s Tilt Bar, the winner of Boutique-y vs. the World!
“The inspiration for the cocktail came from sticky toffee pudding and its roots to the import of British and Canadian history,” Palmer explains. “I wanted to showcase all of the amazing notes within the whisky and showcase how we can elevate the drinking experience of cocktails using this ingredient. The toffee ice cream flavours in whisky being a direct flavour link inside the cocktail, boosting the flavour I needed. Following up with sherried berries adding a deep complexity. The addition of the egg is to amplify the flavours and richness of the cocktail. Making sure to have that silky mouthfeel to help round out that punchy 45.8% whisky but also carry through the flavours we expect from sticky toffee pudding.”
His prize is a chance to work with Dr Whisky himself Sam Simmons to bottle his own whisky. Palmer will get to choose his whisky cask and help design the label. He’ll also receive bottle number one of his own TBWC limited edition which will be available for sale on Master of Malt.
The competition was hosted at Couch, Stirchley (voted one of the best 20 bars in the world by The Telegraph) and the judging panel was made up of Katie Rouse, founder of Couch, Dave Worthington, Whisky ambassador for Master of Malt, Stefan Turner, partner manager at Maverick Drinks and Adrian Lugg, head of marketing at Atom Brands. The four other finalists were David Marklew & Debbie Burgess (@Ginstaberg) from The Inn At Home, George Bryan from Fox & Chance, Junjun Xiang from The Mayan, and Michael Waller from Mooncat (unfortunately unwell and absent on the day).
The first Boutique-y vs. the World competition has concluded.
Congratulations to you, Mr Palmer, and we look forward to seeing your own TBWC bottle on Master of Malt soon.
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