Canadian Crowned World's First Most Imaginative Bartender

David Wolowidnyk’s winning cocktail from the Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative Bartender competition, Beldi. …

~ David Wolowidnyk of British Columbia wins global competition with new
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE cocktail, Beldi ~

TORONTO, May 30, 2012 /CNW/ – After beating out thousands of contestants
and seven other finalists from around the globe, Vancouver resident and
West Restaurant bar manager David Wolowidnyk has been named the winner of the first
ever BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® World’s Most Imaginative Bartender competition. The contest brought
together the top mixologists worldwide to not only challenge them, but
also support them on their journey to becoming the most imaginative
bartenders in the world.

The competition took David and his fellow finalists from Global Travel
Retail, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and
the United States on a four-day experience, visiting the Moroccan home
of one of the Bombay Sapphire botanicals – coriander – and exploring the world of the historic gin.

The competition itself took place on the last evening of the trip at one
of the most beautiful villas in the world, Dar Sabra in Marrakech,
Morocco.  Each bartender was tasked with creating their most
imaginative cocktail – combining their individual influences with the
cultural experiences they had encountered throughout the trip. David
was a worthy winner, adding his own unique flair and style to his
cocktail, Beldi (recipe below).

David notes that his winning cocktail was directly influenced by the
sights, sounds and flavours of Marrakech. “I came into Bombay Sapphire’s World’s Imaginative Bartender competition with a few ideas, but I
really wanted to take cues from the experiences that were to unfold,
and as expected there were special moments when natural inspiration occurred. It is such an honour to be recognized with this
prestigious title.”

In addition to receiving the “Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative
Bartender” title, David also earned a place as the first member in the
newly created Bombay Sapphire Cocktail Hall of Fame, and will be partaking in various duties,
including attending the 2013 opening of the new Bombay Sapphire distillery at Laverstoke Mill in England and becoming part of the Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative Bartender judging panel for next year’s
competition.

“The finalists of the Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative Bartender competition are among the most
creative talent from behind the bar worldwide,” said Brendan McDonough,
Bombay Sapphire brand manager, Bacardi Canada. “Having a Canadian come out on top and
claim the title demonstrates the level of talent and imagination this
country has to offer.  David has an undeniable enthusiasm for
imaginative cocktails – drawing on specialty infusions, tinctures and
far-ranging spirits, and this came across clearly to the judges.”

Bombay Sapphire is at the heart of imaginative cocktail-making and by launching the Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative Bartender competition, it is providing a
platform to encourage and inspire bartenders from all over the world.
Since its creation, Bombay Sapphire has taken an imaginative approach to gin making, driving the
re-invigoration of the gin category and continuing to capture the
consumer’s imagination through its distinctive and smooth taste
resulting from the combination of 10 hand selected exotic botanicals
and unique distillation process. Just as the unique taste of Bombay Sapphire is inspired by the infusion of its 10 exotic botanicals, it is looking
to inspire bartenders all around the world. Bombay Sapphire is the world’s number one premium gin by value for a third consecutive
year¹.

Beldi – David Wolowidnyk Winning Cocktail Recipe 

Ingredients

• 45ml Bombay Sapphire infused with Moroccan Saffron and Ginseng
• 20ml Martini Bianco cold steeped with 1 tsp Moroccan Mint Tea and 6-8
  fresh mint leaves
• 15ml Cinnamon/Cassia Syrup
• 2 dashes Lem-Marrakech Bitters – exclusively produced beforehand by
  “Kale Nori”

Misting

• Toasted Moroccan coriander tincture

To garnish      

• Lemon zest, with the star from Moroccan flag cut into it

Method

• Combine Bombay Sapphire, Martini Bianco, Cinnamon/Cassia Syrup and Bitters
• Stir with ice in a mixing glass
• Mist the Toasted coriander tincture into the chilled glass
• Strain into a chilled glass, garnish with a lemon zest and mist tincture
  again over the surface

About Bombay Sapphire – bombaysapphire.ca
Bombay Sapphire is the world’s fastest growing premium gin and number one premium gin
in Canada by value and volume. Based on a secret 1761 recipe, Bombay Sapphire gin is created by perfectly balancing a unique combination of 10
hand-selected exotic botanicals from around the world. The natural
flavours of the botanicals are captured through a delicate distillation
process called Vapour Infusion which results in the tantalising, smooth
and complex taste that is Bombay Sapphire.

Enjoy Bombay Sapphire responsibly. Bombay Sapphire, the Bombay Sapphire bottle design and device are trademarks and/or registered trademarks.

Bombay Sapphire – Infused with imagination™
Bombay Sapphire aims to inspire people into expanding their minds, thinking differently
to reveal more about themselves and their Imaginations. The team at
Bombay Sapphire believes everyone has imagination and therefore aims to
give everyone the opportunity to be inspired, and to infuse their
imagination with Bombay Sapphire.
www.facebook.com/BombaySapphire

About David Wolowidnyk
Currently presiding over the bar at West Restaurant, David has amassed over two decades of professional service experience
both in front and behind the bar. Praised for his chemist-like
precision, inventive twists and intriguing libations, under David’s
guidance, West has developed one of the largest and most diverse selections of liquor
in Vancouver, and believes that a diversity of skills, attention to
detail and extensive product knowledge is the key to running a
successful bar, providing the guest with a memorable experience each
and every time.
http://www.facebook.com/WestRestaurantVan

Image with caption: “David Wolowidnyk’s winning cocktail from the Bombay Sapphire World’s Most Imaginative Bartender competition, Beldi. (CNW Group/Bombay Sapphire)”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120530_C3863_PHOTO_EN_14368.jpg