Hayman's The Original Gin Competition FAQs

Q. Tell us more about the competition:
A. Hayman's is launching an international competition to find NEW cocktails made using:
- Hayman's London Dry Gin
&/or
- Hayman's Old Tom Gin
&/or
- Hayman's Sloe Gin
Their aim is to discover new gin cocktails and to encourage creativity and community sharing of these recipes. The competition will be hosted on Difford's Guide, and the winner will be awarded by Hayman's.

Q. Why should a bartender enter?
A. This is a high-profile competition (open to bartenders internationally) and will be judged by leading industry experts. There are cash prizes and a 3-day (2-day if a UK-based winner) trip to London. It's easy and fun to enter – plus all 15 finalists will be showcased on Difford's Guide with their cocktail.

Q. How does a bartender enter?
A. Professional bartenders should simply complete the short form on the ENTER page.
- If they are already a Difford's Guide member and logged in, they will simply have to say where they work.
- If they are new to Difford's Guide, they'll be asked for additional information to become a member and upload their cocktail recipe.

Q. Can bartenders use a gin brand other than Hayman's?
A. No. Their recipe must only include one or more of Hayman's gins.

Q. What ingredients are permitted.
A. Only items appearing in our list of commonplace ingredients along with one of more of Hayman's Gins may be used in recipes.

Q. Can homemade shrubs, cordials, purees and liqueurs, made only using ingredients from the commonplace ingredients list, be used?
A. No! Only ingredients from the commonplace ingredients list can be used without the need for any pre-preparation, combining, cooking or infusion.

Q. Can I use homemade syrups?
A. You can use homemade syrups only if commercially made alternatives are widely available. E.g. sugar syrup, orgeat, grenadine, raspberry syrup etc. Please be aware that commercial syrups tend to be equivalent brix to homemade 2 parts sugar to 1 part water (measured by volume) syrups. Please note that the commercial equivalent syrup will be used for judging purposes.

Q. Can I use homemade infusions?
A. You can use homemade infusions only if commercially made alternatives are widely available. E.g. vanilla vodka, pineapple rum, and spiced rum. Please note that the commercial equivalent infusion will be used for judging purposes.

Q. Will all the recipes feature on Difford's – whether they win or not?
A. Yes – Difford's Cocktail Builder is a community tool allowing all subscribers to add their own recipes to the site.

Q. Will all the finalists go to London for the final?
A. The final at the Hayman's Distillery will be a private event (but filmed and photographed and showcased on Difford's and Hayman's site and social media) where the judges will taste all 15 cocktails and a winner and one runner-up will be chosen. The winner/runner-up will be announced the following day.

Q. Can non-bartenders enter?
A. No, this competition is for professional bartenders only.

Q. Are there activities organised in London for the winner?
A. The winner will spend some time at the Hayman's Distillery where he/she/they will understand how they distil their gin and will also have the opportunity to make some cocktails at the distillery's bar.

Q. Will someone come to my bar to taste my cocktail?
A. No, all you have to do is upload your recipe(s) onto the Difford's Guide Cocktail Builder and send an image of your cocktail.

Q. What evaluation criteria will be applied for judging?
A. The most delicious yet easy-to-replicate recipes will receive the highest scores. The name of each cocktail will also greatly impact the score. Taste = 50%; Ease to replicate = 20%; Name = 10%; Photo/video = 10%; Broad appeal/potential to become a contemporary classic = 10%

Q. Will my image of the cocktail appear on Difford's?
A. Yes, your image will appear on your Difford's Guide recipe page, which will only be visible to the Difford's Guide signed-in community. Your image will help the judges make your cocktail and help Simon Difford select the right glassware to photograph for the page featuring all 15 finalists' cocktails on Difford's Guide.