#Entry 1: Getting to know the winners
For the last 3 months Havana Club Rum have offered select on-premise trade a once in a lifetime chance to win a trip to the home of Havana Club – Cuba! We are thrilled to announce the winners who will soon be dancing the rumba, sipping on a Cuba Libre and hanging out in vibrant Havana Cuba – thanks to Havana Club Rum. And the lucky winners are; Thomas Kiltorp from Red Hummingbird Melbourne, Lachlan Shaun Kemsley from Spice Market Melbourne, Tara Blinkhorne from the Keystone Group in Sydney along with Georgia McDonnell-Adams from Pernod Ricard.
Winners will begin their week where all great rum begins – in the sugar cane fields, with a ride on the Hershey train to see the canes cut ‘old school’. From there they will be going straight to the distillery in San Jose and sharing a rum or two with legendary Master Distiller, Don Jose Pablo Navarra – the man responsible for the unique taste that is Havana Club Rum.
Our winners will also discover Cuba’s finest cocktails with a VIP tour of Havana’s legendary bar scene – where Hemmingway would drink his mojitos, as well as learning the secrets of the salsa.
This week, we’ll be getting to know our winners a little better and find out what they are most looking forward to doing on their amazing trip.
TARA BLINKHORNE
1. What venue are you from?
I work at The Australian Hotel, The Rocks, Sydney- part of Keystone Hospitality
2. How long have you been bartending for?
I have been bartending for over five years, mainly a supervising role but am now Functions / Marketing and Office Manager for the Australian Hotel and Glenmore Rooftop Hotel- both located in The Rocks.
3. What is your favourite Havana Club Rum?
Havana Especial
4. What is your favourite way to drink Havana Club Rum?
In a tall glass, lots of ice, with dry and a nice big chunk of fresh lime – with friends.
5. What are you most looking forward to on your trip to Cuba?
I’m looking forward to experiencing the Cuban culture, history & most of all, the Havana Club distillery.
6. If you were born Cuban, what would your name be?
Eva
LACHLAN SHAUN KEMSLEY
1. What venue are you from?
Spice Market Melbourne
2. How long have you been bartending?
Three years part time whilst finishing my degree plus two years full time.
3. What’s your favourite Havana Club Rum?
I can’t go past the Cuban Barrel Proof as the favourite I have tasted to date, but as an endurance tried and tested favourite it has to be the 7 Anos.
4. What’s your favourite way to drink Havana Club Rum?
Havana Blanco makes the perfect mojito, Havana Espescial as much as I don’t want to admit I like them, it makes a cracking Espresso Martini, the 7 Anos always in shots, and the Cuban Barrel Proof in a nice weighty rocks glass accompanied by a fine Cuban cigar and close friends.
5. What are you most looking forward to on your trip to Cuba?
A rum distillery to a bartender is like Graceland to an Elvis fan. As much as the cigars, the beaches, and the fabled all night parties are a bonus, it has to be the Havana Club distillery which will be what I am looking forward to the most.
6. If you were born in Cuba, what would your name be?
Jorge’ Fooxalot, of course ‘j’ and ‘g’ being phonetically pronounced as an ‘h’ in Spanish.
THOMAS KILTORP
1. What venue are you from?
The Red Hummingbird & Emerald Peacock
2. How long have you been bartending for?
10 years, time to retire!
3. What’s your favourite Havana Club Rum?
My daily preference is Havana Especial and coke, if I could get my hands on Havana Club 15yo, that’s what I will be sipping on the weekend.
4. What’s your favourite way to drink Havana Club Rum?
With coke
5. What are you most looking forward to on your trip to Cuba?
I’m very exited about the whole trip, from the sugar cane cutting to the cigar fabrics. But foremost to embrace the Cuban culture
6.If you were born Cuban, what would your name be?
Javier Rolf Kiltrop Gonzales
GEORGIA McDONNELL-ADAMS
What venue are you from?
Pernod Ricard – Brand Ambassador – Havana Club Rum
How long have you been bartending for?
For five years – now Brand Ambassador for three years
What’s your favourite Havana Club Rum?
The Reserva…. mmmmmmm
Whats your favourite way to drink Havana Club Rum?
A big mojito in the sunshine in a massive glass with lots of ice
What are you most looking forward to on your trip to Cuba?
All of it! OMG it’s the trip of a life-time, I’m super keen to see exactly how distillery works and meet the Mastro Roneros!
If you were born Cuban, what would your name be?
Alegria Evita Tortito