Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is proud to announce Pour of Couture presented by Johnnie Walker, a new global bartender competition that draws inspiration from the world of haute couture. The competition celebrates the second launch from Johnnie Walker Vault and Olivier Rousteing, The Couture Blend, a limited-edition luxury Scotch whisky crafted by Johnnie Walker Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker, who selected ten whiskies from the extensive Johnnie Walker Vault liquid library and blended them with the precision of a designer assembling a collection.
Pour of Couture extends this philosophy to US bartenders, challenging them to create cocktails that combine exceptional flavor with thoughtful design and atmosphere. Like couture fashion, where each element is chosen with purpose, the competition celebrates craftsmanship at its highest level.
Competition Details
Beginning immediately, bartenders are invited to submit entries in two categories:
- Johnnie Walker Vault The Couture Blend Showcase Serve: A couture-inspired serve that highlights Johnnie Walker Vault The Couture Blend and engages all the senses through multi-sensorial presentation elements.
- Johnnie Walker Blue Label Couture Cocktail: A cocktail built around Johnnie Walker Blue Label that features at least one custom element and draws inspiration from various cultural realms to create a layered journey that showcases the depth, richness, and refinement of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
Submissions must include video, photography, and menu-ready descriptions, and are due by October 23, 2025.
Selected bartenders will present their creations during in-person judging between October 25 and November 19, 2025. Three finalists will be announced on November 24, 2025, and will advance to the live finale in Miami on December 4, 2025, where they will showcase their entries before an esteemed panel of judges.
The winner will receive an exclusive trip to Scotland in Spring 2026 to join Dr. Emma Walker at the Johnnie Walker Vault in Edinburgh, where they will craft a personal blend and take home a bespoke bottle.
Entry Requirements
Participants must be 21+ to enter, and finalists must be available to travel to Miami from December 3–5, 2025. Prohibited elements include fire, tobacco, banned substances, and objectionable references. Diageo liquids must be used when available, with non-substitutable modifiers permitted. Split-base cocktails are discouraged, and finalists must be able to faithfully recreate their serves on-site at the finale.
For complete rules and submission details, visit https://talesofthecocktail.org/get-involved/pour-of-couture/
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About Tales of the Cocktail Foundation:
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is a non-profit organization that educates, advances, and supports the global hospitality industry and creates lasting impact in our host communities. Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is the global leader in spirits education and a platform to tackle issues facing the industry. The pillars of the Foundation are to Educate, Advance, and Support the hospitality industry through programs that benefit individuals and organizations in the community and to make a lasting impact in communities that host our events. Tales of the Cocktail will take place in New Orleans July 19-24, 2026. #totc2026
About Johnnie Walker:
Johnnie Walker is the world’s number one Scotch Whisky brand* (IWSR 2024), enjoyed by people in over 160 countries. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who craft its whiskies have pursued flavor and quality above all else.
Today’s range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Johnnie Walker High Rye Blended Scotch Whisky, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years and Blue Label. Together they account for nearly 19 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2019), making Johnnie Walker the most popular Scotch Whisky brand in the world.
About Diageo:
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in nearly 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).
For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
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Media Inquiries:
BMF
TOTCF@WeAreBMF.com
