After claiming the top spot in the annual Nc’nean Creations cocktail competition, one of the most prestigious contests in the industry, Norbert Drozdowski, bartender at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Cornwall, is releasing his very own whisky to celebrate.
In collaboration with Nc’nean, the pioneering organic single malt Scotch distillery, Norbert has selected an incredibly delicious ex-white Port single cask whisky to be released under his name. This whisky, Aon 20-189, marks Nc’nean’s first-ever ex-white Port finish. When Norbert first sampled the cask, he immediately knew it was the perfect choice. Aon 20-189 is part of Nc’nean’s Aon series, which means “one” in Gaelic and represents its collection of single cask bottlings. Each cask is hand-picked for its unique and delicious flavour profile. Norbert’s selection boasts complex chocolatey notes, with flavours of spiced orange, chocolate hazelnut, and cedarwood.
“It was my coastal home, admiration of nature’s true beauty, and my cocktail-making skills that encouraged me to enter the competition,” said Norbert Drozdowski. “When considering a ‘hero ingredient,’ I aimed not only for a ‘root to fruit’ approach but also to minimise waste in the restaurant where I work behind the bar. Bananas stood out as the perfect choice, as they are often surplus in our kitchen. It’s vital to me as a bartender to be environmentally conscious and reduce waste wherever possible. Living in Cornwall inspires me every day to take steps toward a more sustainable lifestyle.”
The annual Nc’nean Creations competition, run by Nc’nean’s Blender and Brand Ambassador Matthew Hastings, has become one of the most prestigious cocktail competitions on the circuit. This year, entries were open to bartenders from across Europe and the UK. Contestants competed in regional heats held in Paris, Berlin, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Leeds, and London, where they showcased cocktails created using all elements of a chosen hero ingredient to reduce waste.
The eight finalists were invited to Scotland for a three-day trip to Nc’nean’s west coast distillery and the surrounding Highlands. The final showdown took place at The Gate in Glasgow, where Norbert’s cocktail, Triple Bananas, earned him the championship title. His drink featured Nc’nean’s Organic Single Malt Scotch Whisky combined with three different banana-based ingredients and a banana jelly garnish.
Matthew Hastings praised Norbert’s ingenuity, stating: “The ingenuity, ability, and sheer talent on display every year during Nc’nean Creations is incredible. Watching Europe’s best bartenders compete for the crown is a rare and delightful privilege, and getting to taste all of their wonderful creations is the best part of my job. This year’s champion, Norbert exemplifies what we look for at Nc’nean: innovation, adaptability, and consideration. He’s been amazing to work with, and his single cask selection is a real treat. The perfect balance of bright, sweet complexity.”
There are just 258 bottles of Norbert’s single cask whisky, being sold exclusively on ncnean.com.
