Destinations Distilled:A world class luxury partnership blends fine drinking with Destination Resorts

Six of the world’s best bartenders will travel to six of the world’s most luxurious resorts from January, on a mission to create bespoke cocktails that will interpret and capture the essence of each destination though the art of mixology.

The specially curated cocktails and menus will form part of a global collaboration between iconic luxury brands, One&Only Resorts and Diageo Reserve World Class, bringing together the worlds of distinctive destination resorts and fine drinking experiences.

Launching the global tour, the UK’s best bartender, Ali Reynolds, will travel to The Bahamas from 28 January to distill his experience at One&Only Ocean Club into a signature cocktail.

Reynolds was one of the top six bartenders chosen at the world’s biggest bartender competition, the Diageo Reserve World Class global finals held in Cape Town, South Africa, last year and brings an exciting flair to the evolving craft of mixology.

“Similar to how artists use colours and textures to create exceptional art, I’m looking forward to using my craft as a bartender to ensure the elements of mixology - from flavours to fine spirits, glassware and alchemy - resulting in an artful cocktail interpretation of the experience and feeling of One&Only Ocean Club,” says Ali Reynolds who will use a spirit from the Diageo Reserve World Class portfolio as a base for his cocktail.

Long recognised as one of the world’s most exclusive resorts, the iconic One&Only Ocean Club unveiled resort-wide enhancements in November that further redefine ultra-luxury in the Caribbean. During the multi-million dollar, five-month renovation, guest rooms and suites in the historic Hartford Wing were expanded and given a complete re-design. Additionally, the resort has introduced the ultimate beachfront experience with a new infinity-edge Ocean Pool and Ocean Pool Grill.

“We’re excited to be working with the world’s top six bartenders and look forward to their interpretations of our iconic resorts around the globe through Diageo Reserve’s spirits, which will be great for our guests to discover,” says Helen McCabe-Young, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, One&Only Resorts. “One&Only aims to introduce discerning travellers to authentic experiences and through this partnership, guests can appreciate the art of a refined cocktail culture and celebrate sophisticated mixology.”

The Diageo Reserve WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year is the industry’s most prestigious and respected bartender competition, in which over 55 of the best bartenders in the world compete in a series of innovative challenges in a bid to be crowned the world’s best bartender.

Beyond the Bartender Competition, World Class is also fully integrated programme that offers support and skills-based training to 1000s of bartenders worldwide, increasing the quality of consumer experiences in fine drinking while positioning bartenders in the same level of appreciation as top chefs.

“Craft cocktail culture is changing the way we experience fine drinking, positioning bartenders as true craftsmen and women who are celebrated for their work. This partnership with One&Only will bring to life experiences that will be authentic, sophisticated and entertaining using the finest Diageo Reserve spirit brands,” says Matteo Fantacchiotti, Global Reserve Commercial Vice President.

Signaturecocktails will be created using the exquisite, award-winning spirits from the World Class spirits collection, part of the Diageo Reserve portfolio - including Ron Zacapa rum, Tanqueray No 10 gin, Johnnie Walker Blue, Kettle One, Don Julio 1942 and Mortlach Single Malt - in celebrating each ultra-luxury One&Only Resort location.

In the series, the other five World Class bartenders will travel to One&Only Palmilla in Mexico, One&Only Hayman Island and Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in Australia, One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives and One&Only Cape Town in South Africa.