Pistola Duels II: The competition to find the ultimate cocktail from Agavepura

"...Maya Pistola, a premium agave beverage brand, is the first to produce drinks from 100% agave in Asia. This time, the brand has launched a unique product made from a new type of pure agave called “Agavepura,” which emphasises the importance of distillation to preserve the natural qualities of the agave. Notably, the brand has also organised the “Pistola Duels II,” a competition to find the ultimate cocktail made from agave beverages, inviting bartenders from India, Thailand, and Singapore to create cocktails using agave drinks. This time, #legend_th had the opportunity to be one of the judges for the competition as well..."

Maya Pistola Agavepura is the first premium beverage brand to produce drinks from 100% agave, sourced from the Deccan Plateau in India. Each production batch is limited and undergoes meticulous ageing. In the second Pistola Duels competition, eight bars participated, including JHOL, Vertigo TOO, Iron Balls - The Parlour, 008 Bar, Birdies Bangkok, INDDEE, Avista Grande Phuket Karon, and Bubbs Bangkok.

In the Pistola Duels II competition, the brand has invited bartenders from India, Thailand, and Singapore to create special cocktail recipes. The competition will take place over four rounds, where bartenders will compete to craft the ultimate cocktail using Agavepura, showcasing its quality and versatility. The selection process began with participants submitting photographs and videos via social media, followed by national competitions and culminating in the final round in Mumbai, India. For this final round, competitors will face a creative challenge: developing a cocktail menu from a Mystery Box of ingredients. The winner will receive an exclusive trip to Paris, France, to work as a bartender at the Top 500 Bars awards ceremony in 2024. Eight bartenders from eight bars, who advance to the semi-finals, will compete from September 14 to 27, 2024. During this period, contestants from Thailand will present their cocktails using special techniques to local drinkers in their bars. The sales generated will influence the scores. The top four bartenders from Thailand will advance to the finals in Mumbai, India.

“We are thrilled to host Pistola Duels for the second time, celebrating the art and craft of cocktail creation. This competition underscores the exceptional quality and versatility of Agavepura, our 100% pure agave spirit meticulously crafted in India. Each Agavepura expression reflects the unique flavours and distinct natural environment of its production region. We are incredibly excited to see how bartenders from India, Singapore, and Thailand will interpret and present the flavours of our spirit through their innovative cocktails," said Rakshay Dhariwal, Founder and Director of Maya Pistola Agavepura.

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