Chris Boersma

Name: Christopher Boersma

Bar: The Lark

Bar Address: 1/267 Given Tce, Paddington, QLD

What is the name of Your Glenfiddich Signature Cocktail?

Bel de Roy Cocktail

Tell us about your Signature Cocktail & Why you designed it?

The Bel de Roy Cocktail is a dry drink intended as a palate cleanser, but can be drunk as an aperitif or digestif depending on the drinker’s preference. It is part Rob Roy, part Sazerac and part Robert Burns in nature, being most obviously a blending of Scottish and French inspired drink styles; hence the name. Before his execution William Wallace travelled to France to ask Phillip de Bel (Phillip the Hansome) for assistance in his fight with the English…Phillip refused.

The idea is to stretch the flavours of Glenfiddich 12yo across the palate. Glenfiddich I find to be a slightly front heavy whisky, with a dry finish and young fruit characteristics. The Dubonnet, with its cherry dryness, compliments the young apple notes in the Scotch and is used to pull the front palate weight back to the mid palate. A dash of Peychaud's Bitters brings the flavours even further to the back of the tongue leaving a clean lingering finish. The green apple is used to add acid to the drink and fill out the sides of the tongue creating an all-encompassing palate coverage of simple, young flavours that compliment Glenfiddich 12yo. The Pernod rinse adds a lovely Anise aromatic, when the drink is lifted to the lips.

Who do you envisage Drinking your Signature Cocktail?

Punters who like wine will appreciate the balance of the drink and young cocktail drinking sorts wanting to be challenged or get into Scotch Whisky should be pleased with this one.

How long have you been in the bar industry?

2 years

What do you have that makes you Untouchable?

Grace under fire and an willingness to learn

What is your best advice for younger players?

Make drinks appropriate for a purpose and time.

If you could pick any Glenfiddich variant to take with you on the plane to Scotland if you win, which one would it be?

Any of them! As long as it wasn't gonna be made into a Bobby Burns! (long story)

And who would you most like to sit next to and share it with?

This girl who works at this little coffee shop, that I can't remember the name of, in the Valley.