Monkey Shoulder brings its Ultimate Bartender Championship to Goa

October 2026, Goa: Monkey Shoulder, the premium blended malt Scotch whisky, concluded the Goa round of the 9th edition of the Ultimate Bartender Championship at Mayan, bringing Goa’s bartending talent together for a high-energy showcase of craft, precision and the art of a great serve. Starting this year, the Ultimate Bartender Championship has evolved into the World Ultimate Bartender Championship, reflecting its growth into a global platform for the bartending community.

The Goa leg saw an on-ground participation of 80+ bartenders, who put their skills to the test across a series of challenges designed to assess the fundamentals that matter behind the bar. From pouring and nosing to industry knowledge, service and crafting the perfect serve, the competition placed equal emphasis on technical precision and the service skills that turn a well-made drink into a memorable experience.

Hosted by Vidit Mantri, Brand Ambassador, Monkey Shoulder India, the Goa round culminated with Sahil Kotadiya from Bloody Dangerous and Chandan Nath from Purple Martini emerging as the city finalists.

The duo will now advance to the India finale in October, where they will compete alongside finalists from the other city rounds.

Speaking about the India edition, Vidit Mantri, Brand Ambassador, Monkey Shoulder India, said: “Good bartending is about making people feel welcomed. The Goa round brings those everyday skills into the spotlight, giving bartenders an opportunity to test their knowledge, sharpen their technique and learn alongside one another. Through the Ultimate Bartender Championship, we want to help that talent grow and take its next step towards the India finale.”

Speaking about the World Ultimate Bartender Championship Global Final, Joe Petch, Monkey Shoulder Global Brand Ambassador, said: “Hospitality takes different forms in different places, and that is part of what makes this championship exciting. Goa adds another perspective to India’s journey, while the fundamentals of a great serve remain the common thread. The Global Final is an opportunity for India’s representatives to share that perspective, exchange ideas with bartenders from other markets and build on their craft.”

The Ultimate Bartender Championship is being held across New Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Guwahati and Jaipur, with Guwahati, Chennai and Jaipur joining the championship as new cities in 2026. Finalists from across the country will come together for the India finale in October, with the national winner earning the opportunity to represent India at the World Ultimate Bartender Championship Global Final in November.