NC'NEAN CREATIONS 2026
Our annual bartender cocktail competition, where the winner gets to choose and release their own cask of Nc’nean whisky, plus take away 10% of the profits.
THIS YEAR’S THEME IS “GRAPE & GRAIN”
We’d like competitors to create a new Nc’nean serve, using only grape or grain based ingredients. Think different beer, wine, vinegar, verjus, sake, grappa, juice… any ingredient that started life as grains in a field, or as grapes in a vineyard.
The two founding principles of Nc’nean are sustainability, and innovation, and our annual cocktail competition has always been a celebration of both. The careful balance of these two ideologies is at the forefront of everything we do, and it’s within the constraints of sustainable production that we’ve found some of our very best innovations.
With that in mind, this year’s competition invites competitors to keep sustainability in mind, whilst trying to innovate under the heavy constraint of a limited range of ingredients. No citrus, no sugar. Just grapes, grains, and all the things humans can make from those two things.
Competitors will be allowed to use ice, and standard glassware, but as ever the very best entries will look to push the boundaries of what’s possible with everything they present to our judges.
ROUND ONE
Digital entries open: 1st May – 31st May 2026
THE HEATS
7 Regional heats around Europe
Heat locations based on competitor locations and demand
(More entries in your city = a higher chance we’ll come to you)
THE FINAL
Held at The Nc’nean Distillery and in Glasgow: 5th – 8th October 2026
THE RULES
A very quick overview
1. You must be 18 years of age or over, and working in the hospitality industry to enter.
2. Your cocktail must use either Nc’nean Botanical Spirit or Nc’nean Organic single malt Scotch whisky.
3. Homemade ingredients are permitted (please don’t try and poison the judges).
4. Maximum of 5 total ingredients, excluding garnish (aim for a drink that is "easy to read").
5. The judges score card for the heats can be found here. And the guide to the judges scorecard can be seen here.
6. Digital entries will be scored on: Suitability to the brief, unique approach, & sustainability.
7.Successful entrants will be contacted with heat details in June, with Heats taking place in July & August 2026