In the lead up to the Tennessee Calling IV grand finale, we caught up with Tom Loosli from Original Sin and Rich Hunt from Mint Gun Club, who have given their expertise, mentorship and leadership to the two teams, the Red Dog and the White Rabbit.
You're a mentor for Team Red Dog...how's that going so far?
It's been a lot of fun so far, trying to help the guys as much as I can from afar and building a bit of team spirit before we get to finally all meet and put the whole experience together. Team Red Dog have all been a fountain of big ideas, so I've been trying to work with the production team to channel that creativity into something cohesive. The next stage is going to see me become half team leader and half party starter - a job that I accept with pleasure!
What are you helping your team with?
I've personally had a lot of experience with cocktail competitions so I've tasked the team with something that I've found valuable in the past, which is a bit of self-examination: refining all aspects of their recipe and serve, and thinking about how to convey their drink's concept in a way that the bar's guests will understand.
Without giving too much away, what can you tell us about the concept for the Red Dog?
We're the quintessential Tennessee dive bar. The embodiment of all the questionable joints from around the world that pour Jack Daniel's by the case. The sort of bar that Lemmy or Keith Richards would be found in. Loud rock 'n' roll, fun service, and simple tasty drinks.
What can people expect when they head down to your bar on 9th and 10th October?
We want to create an experience that people will remember. Expect to be rubbing denim-clad shoulders at the bar, bathed in glorious neon lights and sippin' on some banging Tennessee whiskey highballs while people wrestle over the juke box until the honky tonk band is ready for their next set. It'll be the sort of place where you can really kick back and let your hair down until closing time (after you've gotten bored at the stuffy bar across the street)!
Do you have a team mantra?
We've tried to brand ourselves as being the Underdogs in the competition. It makes sense as all of the team bar one are from outside of London, and we're here to represent the real down 'n' dirty dive bar versus the hoity-toity fancy cocktail bar. I think the underdog story is something that people can really get behind. Our other mantra has been "All roads lead to Red Dog." It really conjures the essence of what a really great dive bar is to us: the unavoidable vortex that will suck you in on a night out and spit you out in the early hours of the morning with a smile on your face.
May the best team win...why do you think that's going to be Red Dog?
This year's Tennessee Calling is not your regular cocktail competition, and I think that gives us a distinct advantage if we can play our cards right. We're not being judged on how elaborate our garnish is, or how many obscure brand facts we've memorised. This is all about the experience, so the drink and chat, while important, are a just a small part of that. And we're going to make it a serious experience.
You're a mentor for Team White Rabbit...how's that going so far?
Great! It's such a pleasure to work with such creative and accomplished bartenders - from all kinds of bars from all parts of the UK as well.
What are you helping your team with?
I've been giving them pointers and leading the initial discussions on how to take the direction of the White Rabbit - given the brief from the Jack Daniel's team. We've discussed recipes, design, social media, music, service...everything that's involved in a bar. So there's a lot! Essentially it's been about being a balance and sage between the competitors and the brand and of course the host bar. There are always going to be things which need to be moulded to suit the venue.
Without giving too much away, what can you tell us about the concept for the White Rabbit?
Think: Finesse, Clarity and Charm in a Tennessee clubhouse and at just £6 per cocktail!
What can people expect when they head down to your bar on 9th and 10th October?
Following the White Rabbit will take you down a little hole and into a world of jump-jazz and head-shaking swing where incredible drinks and complementary canapés by 6 of the best bartenders in the UK sweeten the occasion (metaphorically of course).
Do you have a team mantra?
Finesse, charm and FUN!!
May the best team win...why do you think that's going to be White Rabbit?
There's something wonderful about discovering that you can have great fun in a "fine establishment" that always makes your night. And because when you take the price out of the picture, who wouldn't want to spend all their time having rip-roaring fun in a fine establishment such as the White Rabbit Saloon?!?!
Find out more about the Tennessee Calling IV final here.
Το λανσάρισμά του έγινε το 2017 και πρόκειται για ένα ουίσκι σίκαλης από το Tennessee το οποίο
Το λανσάρισμά του έγινε το 2016 και αποτελεί μέρος της Single Barrel Collection του Jack Daniel's.
To Jack Daniel's είναι ένα ουίσκι από το Tennessee το οποίο ονομάστηκε No.7 από τον ίδιο τον κύριο
Launched in 2010 and made by blending Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 with honey liqueur developed in Brown-Forman's Louisville plant to have a nutty flavour reminiscent
As with Old No. 7, the distillate used to make Gentleman Jack is slow-dripped through 10 feet (3m) of densely packed hard sugar maple charcoal over 3 days
Popular belief has it that Jack Daniel’s was originally sold with a green label at a lower age, the black label only launched after Jack’s death in
To Jack Daniel's Single Barrel παράγεται με την ίδια διαδικασία με το Old No.7 ωστόσο παλαιώνει για 5
The Maxwell House bottling is one in a range of commemorative bottles containing the same whiskey as the standard No.7 Black Label, although the alcoholic
This line Jack extension was developed for the travel-retail (duty-free) market. Silver Select is basically Jack Daniel’s Single barrel but with better
Released early in 2007 as a travel retail (duty free) exclusive, Monogram is now longer made so has become something of a collector’s piece. Comparable
This black and white can with familiar Jack Daniel’s branding and red highlights proclaims its contents to be “A perfect mix of whiskey & cola”.
This 2012 limited edition Jack Daniels bottling celebrates the 120 anniversary of the opening of the White Rabbit Saloon in 1892. One of two bars “Mr
Launched December 2012, this special edition Jack Daniel's whiskey honours Frank Sinatra, a devoted fan of the Tennessee Whiskey. It is matured in Sinatra
Launched in the U.S. April 2014, “Jack Fire” is made with Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 whiskey with a proprietary red hot cinnamon liqueur.
Released late in 2012, this “white whiskey” is the first time since before Prohibition that the Jack Daniel Distillery has used a new grain recipe.
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