CAORUNN GIN LAUNCHES STORYTELLERS COCKTAIL COMPETITION

Bartender Who Best Combines Cocktail Creativity and
Storytelling Talent Wins Trip to Scotland to Compete in Global Finals

Caorunn Small Batch Scottish Gin knows that a drink is only as good as the person who makes it and is on a worldwide search to find the bartender who does just that. Beginning February 13, 2012 Caorunn invites bartenders in the United States to create a Caorunn-inspired cocktail and tell the story behind it. Four finalists will be selected to compete at the U.S. finals for an all-expense paid trip to Scotland, where they will represent the United States in the Caorunn Global Cocktail Competition.

The super-premium gin teamed up with Bar Business Magazine <http://www.barbizmag.com/> , challenging bartenders to create a “modern classic” cocktail that draws inspiration from one or more of Caorunn’s five Celtic botanicals: Rowan Berry, Coul Blush Apple, Heather, Dandelion and Bog Myrtle.  To reinforce the role a genuine bartender plays – as friend, entertainer, historian and talented raconteur – entrants will be asked to tell the “story” behind their cocktail’s creation via a video submission.

“The Caorunn Storytellers competition underscores the bartender’s key role in a person’s drinking experience,” said Pat Graney, President of International Beverage USA.

Four U.S. finalists will compete at Tales of the Cocktail 2012 held in New Orleans, July 25-29 where a panel of spirits experts and writers will determine the Top U.S. Storyteller. The winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to Scotland’s Speyside region featuring an exclusive tour of the Balmenach Distillery with Caorunn Gin Master, Simon Buley.

They will also join the finalists from four other countries to compete in The Global Final taking place at Bramble Bar in Edinburgh, Scotland on September 3, 2012. The 2012 Global Cocktail winners will receive a cash prize and their winning drinks will be promoted worldwide as signature Caorunn cocktails.

Contest begins February 13, 2012 and entries will be accepted until May 20, 2012. Bartenders will be judged on concept, story, presentation and product knowledge, while cocktails will be critiqued on taste, nose, balance and garnish. Please see www.caorunngin.com/storytellersusa <http://www.caorunngin.com/storytellersusa>  to enter and for official contest rules.

About Caorunn
Caorunn (pronounced “ka-roon), is a handcrafted, small batch distilled Scottish gin /www.caorunngin.com/  infused with five Celtic botanicals designed to work perfectly in martinis and cocktails but is also smooth enough to enjoy on its own. The gin is named for one of the botanicals, the fabled rowan berry, which has inspired Celtic medicines and recipes for generations. Caorunn is naturally balanced, dry, clean and crisp and best served with a slice of red apple.  It is handcrafted in small batches, usually 1,000 liters, at Balmenach Distillery in Scotland’s Spey Valley. It is marketed by International Beverage. Find Caorunn on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/caorunngin.