Three centuries of excellence is a remarkable achievement, one that the esteemed French cognac House, Rémy Martin, has gracefully upheld through a legacy founded on family heritage and an unwavering commitment to crafting extraordinary cognac. In honour of its tricentenary, the House is carrying out a year of celebrations under the theme ‘We Dream Forward’. This momentous milestone includes the unveiling of an exquisite 300th-anniversary special-edition cognac and a creative bartending competition designed to pay homage to and cultivate the finest talents in the art of mixology.
The Bartender Talent Academy competition
In a magnificent celebration of 300 years of cocktail-making, this international competition invites bars from around the globe to partake in an exhilarating contest of cocktail creativity. Kick-started in 2017, this unique program—now in its seventh iteration—provides bartenders the opportunity to showcase their mixing talents. This year, 300 bars worldwide will compete to be crowned the Bartender Talent Academy 2024 champion, with the Global Finals scheduled to take place in France in September.
In Malaysia, 12 of the nation’s most talented bartenders contended to demonstrate their exceptional skills. Their challenge? To craft a cocktail that not only celebrates Rémy Martin but also embodies its rich heritage and storied 300-year legacy. The participating bars include Bā by 61 Monarchy, Bar Trigona, Hyde at 53M, Penrose, Three X Co, Woobar, Backdoor Bodega, Drunken Gelato, Good Friends Club, No Bar Here, Cabinet 8 by JWC, and Tales Creator.
The finale party
On the illustrious evening of April 26th, the announcement of three finalists marked the start of a thrilling journey as they prepared to unveil their exquisite cocktails at the 300th-anniversary party on May 9th. Amidst the stylish ambience of Gemu Club KL, anticipation reached dizzying heights as each contender presented their masterpiece to both esteemed guests and discerning judges. The air was electric with excitement as the finalists vied for the coveted title.
With unparalleled finesse, Thanel Joel of Backdoor Bodega emerged as the winner, capturing the hearts and palates of all with his creation Val d’Or, a divine blend of homemade rose apple cider and Punt e Mes vermouth. Melvin Lim of Bar Trigona claimed the title of first runner-up with his intriguing libation, Ambrosia. Meanwhile, Lai YS of Penrose walked away as second runner-up with his exciting concoction, Eternal Gold.
To celebrate this big win, Backdoor Bodega will highlight the winning drink at its bar until the end of May. Following this, Joel will embark on a journey to France in September 2024 for the Global Finals, where he will join 23 other exceptional contestants from around the world, poised to leave an indelible mark on the world of mixology.
Elevating the event to unforgettable heights was the spellbinding performance by the renowned Italian progressive house DJ duo, MARNIK. With their repertoire of Eurodance tracks and acclaimed collaborations—such as with Don Diablo, Timmy Trumpet, R3HAB, and Steve Aoki—MARNIK enraptured the audience with their contagious music, transforming the party into a night to remember.
A tribute to heritage
Created in honour of Rémy Martin’s 300th anniversary, the limited-edition Anniversary Coupe, conceived by Cellar Master Baptiste Loiseau, is an exquisite collector’s item not to be missed. Available in only 6,724 units, this special edition takes inspiration from the previous Coupe of the 290th anniversary—which is a precious collection of exceptional eaux-de-vie, exclusively from the Grande Champagne terroir, preserved and passed down through generations of Cellar Masters.
“When a new blend is created, part of it is set aside for future cellar masters. In turn, they will use it for the next Anniversary Coupe. To create the 300th Anniversary Coupe, I have come to enrich this blend with the treasures of our cellars and Grande Champagne terroir, which will be the legacy I leave to the next generation.”
— Baptiste Loiseau, Cellar Master of Rémy Martin
For more information on Rémy Martin’s 300th-year celebrations, click here. To purchase an Anniversary Coupe bottle, contact Elyria Chiak at [email protected]. Shop at the brand’s official Shopee page here.
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