Marriott Hotels, the flagship brand of Marriott International, has kicked off its Bourbon Battles competition. This is a five-city tour in the search for a bourbon cocktail champion.
Hosted by spirit expert and author Heather Greene, the event series will debut in Lexington, KY, followed by stops in Portland, Calgary and Boston, culminating in New York City on National Bourbon Day, June 14.
The new Bourbon Battles competitionseries is being launched as part of the broader Marriott Hotels Bourbon Program, an on-property experience for guests and visitors.
“Bourbon has all the essential elements to create an engaging bar experience for our guests,” said Matthew Carroll, vice president Brand Management, Marriott Hotels. “It has a rich history and compelling stories driven by unique brands. It offers options for everyone’s taste, from creative cocktails to exclusive pours.”
“Our new Bourbon Battles competition is a fun, innovative way to showcase the evolution of the bourbon world and helps bring even more creativity and unexpected tastes to our guests,” he added
Marriott Hotels’ Bourbon Battle features four contestants per event. Winners from the first four events will win a chance to compete in the finale round in New York City. At each Battle, the Marriott bartenders will go up against local mixologists to prove their bourbon mixology skills.
In the past decade, there has been nearly a 40 percent growth in sales of bourbon and Tennessee whiskey in the United States, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. Tapping into this trend, Marriott Hotels’ Bourbon Program features popular spirits brands, such as Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek, signature cocktails and locally curated flights at Marriott Greatroom lobby bars in over 250 properties.
To see the action in real time, follow #BourbonBattles and Marriott Hotels on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. For more information about the Greatroom experience, bourbon offerings and the other newest innovations from Marriott Hotels, visit TravelBrilliantly.com.