Mixologists race to Skye this month

Liam Grogan of Kelvingrove Café is one of three Scottish bartenders to reach the final

THREE bartenders from Scotland will head to Skye this month after reaching the final of a cocktail competition for Talisker.

The Race to Skye contest challenged entrants to create a cocktail in the spirit of the brand’s Made by the Sea marketing campaign.

After a series of regional heats, Liam Grogan of Kelvingrove Café in Glasgow, Stefanie Anderson of Bon Vivant in Edinburgh and Miran Chauhan of Buck & Birch, also in Edinburgh, were named finalists. They will now take part in the GB final of the competition, which takes place on Skye between August 13 and August 15, where they will compete against finalists from Leeds, London and Manchester.

“The level of talent at this year’s Race to Skye regional finals was extremely high,” said Stephen Martin, whisky ambassador at Talisker parent company Diageo Reserve.

“The variation and creativity shown by all is not only a testament to the strength of GB cocktail culture today, but also to the versatility and complexity of Talisker single malt whisky. Each competitor brought the Isle of Skye to us in their own unique way through technique, story and flavour.

“I can’t wait to see what the GB Final has in store!’’

The winner of the competition will be named Talisker brand ambassador for the next year.