Tales of the Cocktail® New Orleans 2016: MMA2 'The Rematch'

View analytic

MMA2 'The Rematch'

The busiest seminar of Tales 2015 is back but with a twist! A MMA 'Rematch' face off after last years 'controversial win' by Wm Grants, once again, pits 'Mixed Malt Ambassadors' from Diageo, Beam/Suntory and William Grant moderated by an independent referee aka Dave Broom. Six Whisky ambassadors, two from each company with one amazing whisky per person that they have to win the audience over with. The Catch? They only have 5 minutes and they aren't allowed to say A. How old it is or B. What distillery it's from. One whisky per company must be under 10 years old. The other is a wildcard and can be any age they choose. The twist? This year the moderator will choose who represents which whisky so it's totally double blind. The ambassadors will get 5 minutes to taste then represent the whisky as best they can with only the cask type and category as information. The moderator will ask questions to the group and the audience in a fun, interactive seminar that will educate as well as entertain as these warriors go head to head. In the end it's the audience who decides on the ultimate champion!

Moderators

Dave Broom

Dave Broom was born in Glasgow (Scotland) and has spent his working life in drink. He is chief engineer of www.scotchwhisky.com and writes for numerous international titles, including Whisky Advocate. He won Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer at the 2015 Spirited Awards. | He’s written... Read More →

Speakers

Simon Brooking

Scotch, National Brand Ambassador, Beam Suntory

“World peace thro’ whisky one dram at a time.” Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and a member of the Robertson Clan, Simon traces his roots back to the 13th Century and the Celtic Earls of Atholl. A well-known expert on Scotch whisky, Simon has worked for many of the leading Scotch... Read More →

Gregor Cattanach

Master of Whisky, Director of Whisky Education, Diageo

As a boy, Gregor grew up at distilleries such as Caol Ila, Coleburn, Cragganmore andCardhu in Scotland where his father Evan worked as Master Distiller of these qualitysingle malts. This is where Gregor's apprenticeship truly began. Learning from his father issomething that he never... Read More →

Lorne Cousin

Balvenie Ambassador, William Grant & Sons

From his highland roots in Scotland’s legendary Campbeltown – an area steeped in whisky tradition – Balvenie Brand Ambassador and renaissance man Lorne Cousin brings a wealth of craftsmanship and skill, and a lifetime’s worth of unexpected experiences, to his role with the... Read More →

Ewan Morgan

National Director : Diageo Masters of Whisky, Diageo

Ewan is a third generation ‘whisky man’. His father was maltings manager at Tamdhu Distillery in Speyside and later the distillery manager at Highland Park Distillery on the island of Orkney. His Grandfather was the brewer at the famed distillery Cardhu. Ewan was born in Dufftown... Read More →

Johnnie Mundell

Ambassador for Suntory Whisky, BeamSuntory

Love & MarriageWhisky & Japan

Struan Grant Ralph

Glenfiddich Ambassador, William Grant and Sons

Struan Grant Ralph the Glenfiddich Ambassador for the USA hails from Speyside, the spiritual home of Scottish Single Malt and from his first jobs working in distilleries to his current role with Glenfiddich, he has a lifelong passion and knowledge of whisky from grain to glass. This... Read More →

Sponsors