Beefeater Gin, the world’s most awarded and quintessential citrus and juniper London gin, has crowned Maxim Schulte from Hong Kong & Macau as the BEEFEATER MIXLDN 7 Global Bartender Champion, following an intense four-day showdown in London, the gin capital of the world.
Schulte clinched the sought-after title following the toughest and most gripping Beefeater MIXLDN competition to date. Battling it out in four challenges, against 30 finalists from across the globe, Schulte’s Stack of Fortune cocktail was a cut above the rest at last night’s (8th February 2018) grand finale, held at the Bike Shed in Shoreditch.
The finalists’ masterpieces were critiqued at the show-stopping final by an expert panel including Difford’s Guide editor Simon Difford, Ryan Chetiyawardana of Dandelyan, Doug McMaster of CUB, Alessandro Palazzi of Dukes, Sumaiyah Connolly, Beefeater Global Brand Ambassador, and Desmond Payne MBE, Beefeater Master Distiller. Schulte consistently delivered throughout the competition, particularly impressing the judges with his flair and tenacity.
Schulte will now have a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with industry icon, Desmond Payne, to expand his talents and create his very own gin. Invited to step inside the home of the world’s most awarded gin, Schulte will learn from Desmond’s 50 years in the gin industry, understanding the intricacies of making gin from the selection of juniper berries to the art of distillation. Schulte’s limited-edition gin will then take pride of place in the Kennington Distillery for visitors from all over the world to purchase. Schulte will take his creation back to his bar for friends, family and customers to sample.
This is a rare opportunity to work with Desmond, a true icon, who has been made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the UK gin industry – an honour which marks the pinnacle of his Golden Jubilee year.
Maxim Schulte commented: “Being named as the Global Champion of Beefeater MIXLDN is a real honour and definitely a highlight in my career. Every bartender wants to show what they can do in terms of cocktail-making as an art form and Beefeater MIXLDN really allowed me to do that. Stack of Fortune was inspired by Macau’s reputation as the Las Vegas of Asia and it’s certainly bought me good luck. I’ve already got some ideas up my sleeve for my limited-edition gin and I’m looking forward to being able to learn from a legend like Desmond Payne.”
Desmond Payne, Beefeater’s Master Distiller said: “This year’s Beefeater MIXLDN experience has hugely impressed me. The creativity amongst bartenders today is second to none and it reflects the broader trend we’re seeing that every cocktail has its own narrative and story – also discussed in our recent report, ‘Cocktails: The New Golden Era’. Passion like this continues to drive the industry forward and the profession of bartending is being seen in a new light. I congratulate Maxim for being in the vanguard of this movement that has flourished in my 50 years. He has set the bar high for next year’s competition.”
For more information about the competition visit, beefeatermixldn.com!