Pour of Couture
Pour of Couture
Presented by Johnnie Walker Vault The Couture Blend
About | Johnnie Walker Vault | Entry Requirements | Competition Timeline | Prize | Enter Now | FAQs
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Pour of Couture Presented by Johnnie Walker invites bartenders to showcase their craft & artistry. The competition challenges bartenders to unleash their creativity through two distinct challenges:
Johnnie Walker Vault The Couture Blend Showcase Serve
Create an exclusive and sophisticated serve for the Johnnie Walker Vault The Couture Blend. Drawing inspiration from trail-blazing creative director, Olivier Rousteing, this challenge invites the bartender to design a theatrical serve that is inspired by the world of high fashion and couture.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Couture Cocktail
We’re challenging the most innovative bartenders to create a show-stopping Johnnie Walker Blue Label cocktail. Exploring ‘When the Art of Couture Meets the Art of Blending’ bartenders are tasked with crafting a cocktail that not only explores the versatility of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, but is inspired by the world of couture fashion.
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Do's and Don'ts
Do’s:
- Johnnie Walker Vault The Couture Blend bottle must be prominently featured in the serve
- Must be scalable for multiple serves for in-person judging
- If chosen as a top 3 Finalist, you must be able to faithfully recreate your serve at the final event in Miami. This implies practicality in terms of ingredients, tools, and execution steps
Don’ts:
- The Johnnie Walker Vault The Couture Blend serve MUST NOT be served as a cocktail
- Any/All fire elements are prohibited
- Use of or references to tobacco is prohibited
- Use of or reference to banned/illegal substances are prohibited
Johnnie Walker Vault
Launched earlier this year, Johnnie Walker Vault unites bespoke blends, luxurious experiences and collaborations with cultural icons all under one visionary banner. At its core is the artistry of Dr. Emma Walker, Johnnie Walker Master Blender, and her craft of telling personal stories from a carefully curated selection of exceptionally rare whiskies.
A creative ‘atelier’ hidden deep beneath Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh, the Vault’s doors first opened to Olivier Rousteing, one of couture’s most progressive designers, who partnered with Johnnie Walker to unveil the inaugural release, Couture Expression—a limited edition inspired by the world of high fashion.
Building on that success, the Vault now introduces its next chapter: The Couture Blend—a limited-edition creation that redefines the boundaries of luxury Scotch and continues the narrative of when the art of couture meets the art of blending.
Entry Requirements
You must submit the following elements:
- Video of your Johnnie Walker Vault The Couture Blend Showcase Serve
- Photo of your Showcase Serve
- Description of your Showcase Serve, as it would be described on a menu
- Recipe for your Johnnie Walker Blue Label Couture Cocktail
- Photo of your Couture Cocktail
- Description of your Couture Cocktail as it would appear on a menu
“When the Art of Couture Meets the Art of Blending” serves as the inspiration for these challenges, stemming from the unique collaboration between Johnnie Walker and Olivier Rousteing, exploring how couture significantly influences culture. It seeks to bridge the traditional craftsmanship and meticulous artistry found in blending with the innovative and bold aesthetics of high fashion, exemplified by Rousteing’s visionary work.
Competition Timeline
October 23, 2025: Competition Submission Entry Portal Closes
October 24, 2025: Notification of bartenders selected for live in-bar judging
October 25 – November 19, 2025: US Bartenders In-Bar Presentations/Judging Date Range
November 24, 2025: Notification of 3 Finalists
December 4, 2025: Top 3 Bartenders Compete in Miami
Spring 2026: Winner trip to Scotland
The Grand Prize
The finale winner and one (1) guest (must be 21+) will journey to Scotland for an exclusive one-on-one session with Johnnie Walker Master Blender, Dr. Emma Walker. Together, they will craft an exclusive blend, and take home a personal bottle for the bartender’s collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use competitor/non-Diageo liquids in my cocktail serve?
Will my entry submission video and cocktail submission be factored into my live judging score?
I am unsure if an ingredient that I’d like to use would be allowed. Is there someone I can contact to confirm prior to my submission?
Can I name my cocktail anything I want?
When will the finals take place?
What happens if I need to forfeit my place as a finalist in Miami?
If I’m selected as a finalist to compete in Miami, what are the next steps?
