Monkey Shoulder, the premium blended malt Scotch whisky brand, has concluded the Kolkata round of the ninth edition of the Ultimate Bartender Championship at Olterra, with more than 100 bartenders participating in a series of skill-based challenges.
The competition, which has evolved into the World Ultimate Bartender Championship this year, tested participants on pouring, nosing, industry knowledge, customer service and drink preparation, emphasising both technical precision and hospitality skills.
Hosted by ViditMantri, Brand Ambassador of Monkey Shoulder India, the Kolkata round selected Subho Roy, Sandeep and Naireet as the city finalists. The trio will compete against finalists from other cities at the India finale in October.
Mantri said the championship aims to recognise bartenders’ overall skills, combining technical expertise with confidence and service. Joe Petch, Global Brand Ambassador of Monkey Shoulder, said the international platform would connect local talent with global opportunities and celebrate excellence in hospitality.
The championship is being held across New Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Jaipur. Guwahati, Chennai and Jaipur have been identified as new cities joining the 2026 competition, although Chennai and Jaipur also appear in the list of participating cities.
The national winner will represent India at the World Ultimate Bartender Championship Global Final in November.