After launching as a way for Hennessy to support mixologists and bar staff during COVID, Hennessy MyWay is back for 2024, and this year has been launched by Global Ambassador and industry veteran Jordan Bushell’s first visit to Australia and New Zealand.
Alongside local ambassador Alex Zanarini and an impressive line-up of Local Legends including Jason Clarke (NZ), Corby Small (Brisbane), Jack Lin (Melbourne), Shirley Yeung (Perth) and Charlie Lehmann (Sydney), Jordan crossed the country to talk all things Hennessy and MyWay 2024 in a set of 5 Masterclasses.
As part of the Masterclasses, the Australian and New Zealand bar community were treated to a technical tasting of Very Special (V.S), Very Superior Old Pale (V.S.O.P) and Extra Old (X.O) learning how each of these unique flavour profiles has captured the world’s imagination over the years. From the cellars of Cognac to the palaces of England for whom V.S.O.P was created, Hennessy is designed for a global palate; with each expression a different take on the Hennessy ethos of Bold.
Participants also got to see and taste the Local Legend’s Hennessy MyWay 2024 cocktail entries and learn more about their creative process. From Jason Clarke’s complex yet simple highball featuring thrifted glassware and New Zealand honey, to Jack Lin’s showstopping creation presented on a custom floral stage to Shirley Yeung’s nod to French cuisine and classic Cognac cocktail lore, there was plenty to be inspired by.
As for Jordan’s top advice? Don’t sweat the video quality, and don’t let it be your barrier to entry. As he explained; “We know it can be a lot of work to film your cocktail presentation, but the video quality is not part of the criteria, so don’t let it get in your way.”
The inspiration didn’t stop there, with Jordan discussing some of the top 10 available at myway.hennessy.com. As he explained “The beauty about Hennessy MyWay is it’s a global cocktail challenge, and sustainability means different things in different countries depending on what you have available.”
“In Japan, a contestant used some discarded wood from a local furniture maker in Okinawa to present his cocktail. In France, a contestant concentrated on sustainable substitutes for coffee. It’s really another way to be creative whilst upholding a value that’s close to Hennessy’s heart.”
As for Jordan’s top advice? Don’t sweat the video quality, and don’t let it be your barrier to entry. As he explained; “We know it can be a lot of work to film your cocktail presentation, but the video quality is not part of the criteria, so don’t let it get in your way.”
He continued: “We ask you to film your entry to get a feel for your cocktail, not your filming skills. It’s a lot like describing fireworks. It’s much more effective to show it than describe it.”
In terms of the draw to enter, the Top 50 bartenders will receive €1000 ($1,600 AUD) cash prize, Bottle of Hennessy X.O (valued at $385) and the invitation to submit a new entry for Top 10, with a 1 in 5 chance of making it through.
From there, Top 10 are invited to Paris and Cognac in October for an all expenses paid live Global Final.
And for the Top 3 bartenders? They are gifted a rare cognac blend, trophy, and the glory of being a global MyWay champion.
So if you have an idea for a Hennessy V.S or V.S.O.P cocktail that’s an original showstopper with a sustainability twist, don’t forget to film your video and submit by May 31st here: https://myway.hennessy.com/