Monkey Shoulder Continues the 9th Edition of the Ultimate Bartender Championship in India with the Chennai Round
October 2026, Chennai: Monkey Shoulder, the premium blended malt Scotch whisky, concluded the Chennai round of the 9th edition of the Ultimate Bartender Championship at Radio Room , bringing together some of the city’s bartending talent for a high-energy showcase of skill, speed and craft. The Ultimate Bartender Championship is the India leg of Monkey Shoulder’s global World Ultimate Bartender Championship.
The Chennai leg saw an on-ground participation of 40+ 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 focused on real-world bartending skills, precision and performance under pressure.
Hosted by Vidit Mantri, Brand Ambassador, Monkey Shoulder India, the Chennai round culminated with Robin from Vasco Da Gama emerging as the city finalist.
Robin will now advance to the India finale in October, competing alongside finalists from the other city rounds.
Speaking about the India edition, Vidit Mantri, Brand Ambassador, Monkey Shoulder India, said: “The best bartending often comes down to small details: recognising an aroma, judging a pour and keeping your composure when the clock is running. Bringing the Ultimate Bartender Championship to Chennai gives us a chance to put those everyday disciplines in the spotlight. We want bartenders to leave with a clearer sense of their strengths and the confidence to keep progressing, with the India finale offering the next opportunity to put that learning into practice.”
Speaking about the World Ultimate Bartender Championship Global Final, Joe Petch, Monkey Shoulder Global Brand Ambassador, said: “There is real value in a competition that makes the essential skills visible. A carefully judged pour or a well-trained palate may seem like a small thing, but together they form the foundation of an accomplished bartender. Chennai’s place in the India rounds is part of that wider search for talent, and the Global Final will give India’s representative the opportunity to measure those skills against an international field.”
The Ultimate Bartender Championship is being held across New Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad, Bengaluru 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.
ABOUT MONKEY SHOULDER
Born in Speyside, Scotland, Monkey Shoulder is crafted for character and versatility. Small batches of Speyside’s finest single malt whiskies are blended into one smooth, rich, vibrant whisky with notes of fresh orange, creamy vanilla, and warming ginger. Made to savour neat or shine boldly in classic cocktails like the Monkey Old Fashioned, bringing depth and character to every sip. Front and centre, the iconic trio of monkeys signalling the balance and craft behind the blend - not just as a logo, but as a mark of quality, representing a whisky that has truly earned its place.
The Monkey Old Fashioned lets the whisky speak for itself — a fresh take on a timeless serve. It reflects the same spirit that has made Monkey Shoulder a trusted name in contemporary whisky culture — expressive and unmistakably bold. That reputation is echoed globally, with Monkey Shoulder ranked third among the Top Trending Scotch Whisky Brands in Drink International’s 2025 Brands Report.
