Pioneering organic Single Malt Scotch distillery, Nc’nean, has opened entries for its 2025 ‘Creations’ bartender cocktail competition.
The annual competition, which is run by Nc’nean blender, Matt Hastings, has become one of the most popular cocktail competitions on the circuit, thanks to its creative briefs, one-to-one mentoring, and expert feedback.
Thow in a trip to visit Nc’nean’s remote distillery, and the highly sought after prize of selecting a single cask – which is then released with the winner taking a 10% stake in the bottle sales – and the competition ticks a lot of boxes for ambitious mixologists.
Nc’nean’s theme for the 2025 Creations competition is ‘to open’, challenging bartenders to create the perfect aperitif using either Nc’nean’s organic Single Malt Scotch whisky or Botanical Spirit.
This brief reflects the ditillery’s mission to change the way people think about whisky, including ‘moving whisky up the menu’ to remind consumers that it is not just a drink for the end of the evening.
Contestants are also encouraged to consider sustainability and innovation in their submission, two themes that are central to Nc’nean’s brand identity.
Digital entries are now open with the deadline for submissions April 30th.
Those successful in the first round will then be invited to the heats which will take place in Scotland, London and Paris over June and July 2025, with the final taking place in Glasgow and Nc’nean in September.
Last year Norbert Drozdowski, who lives in Padstow and works at Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant, took the winning spot. Norbert’s drink, which was created in line with the theme of minimal waste, was called Triple Bananas and included a banana jelly garnish.
His single cask bottling was released in January 2025 and sold out online, although it is currently available on the menu at The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow while stocks last.
Previous winners include Elena Wright from Manchester, and Matt Morrison, head bartender at the Fife Arms.
Elena, winner of Nc’nean Creations 2022, said: “Entering Nc’nean creations was one of the best decisions I made in 2022.
“Being fairly new to the industry when I entered, it allowed me to meet people from all over the UK and form friendships that still continue to this day – both with competitors and the wonderful Nc’nean team.
“It is the most supportive, encouraging and friendly competition to enter, and really helped me to gain confidence, propel my career and get my name out there.”
Nc’nean began distilling in March 2017 and from inception has strived to do things differently, using longer mashing times, slow fermentation (ranging from 65-116 hours), and experiments with unusual yeasts.
It then matures its whisky on site in ex-bourbon, sherry and STR ex-red wine casks, along with many other smaller and more unique cask experiments, including Rum, Tequila, Calvados and Maury.
In July 2021, Nc’nean achieved verified net zero status for carbon emissions from its own operations (scopes 1 and 2). It is the UK’s first whisky distillery to be classified as net zero for scopes 1 & 2 and reached its goal 20 years ahead of the industry target.
In addition, Nc’nean only uses 100% organic Scottish barley, the only whisky distillery to do so in Scotland, making all its products certified organic. Its whisky bottles are made from 100% recycled glass and it recycles or reuses 99.9% of its waste.
