Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the esteemed brand known for its rich and distinctive peated flavour is thrilled to unveil the winner of the Taste Trailblazer campaign in South Africa. This global celebration of culinary pioneers who push the boundaries of flavour, inspired by the rugged beauty of Islay, has captured the essence of salt, fire, and peat in a remarkable culinary journey.

The Taste Trailblazers advocacy program was launched with the intention to cultivate a stronger bond with existing peated whisky enthusiasts by connecting them with visionary culinary partners throughout South Africa. By inviting pioneering culinary teams to showcase their expertise in working with peat, salt, and fire, Laphroaig sought to redefine the boundaries of taste in the culinary world.

 

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Participating chef-and-bartender teams embarked on a creative journey, conceptualizing, and serving a menu of dishes and drinks that highlighted the unforgettable flavours of peat, salt, and fire. Their mission was to create a truly immersive and memorable dining experience for guests while pushing the boundaries of taste. These teams engaged in friendly competition with culinary partners from across South Africa, with the ultimate goal of being crowned the Taste Trailblazers of South Africa.

The competition kicked off in April 2023, sparking a wave of excitement among South Africa’s culinary enthusiasts. From June to September 2023, participating venues hosted Trailblazer self-hosted dinners, captivating diners with their innovative use of peat, salt, and fire. The brand ambassador and trusted media partner attended these 09 nationwide dining experiences, all in the pursuit of discovering South Africa’s finest Taste Trailblazers.

The top chef and bartender will be awarded the grand prize—a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Fèis Ìle 2024, the renowned Islay Whisky Festival. After months of exceptional culinary experiences and tough competition, we are delighted to announce Acid Food & Wine Bar as the Taste Trailblazer of South Africa.

 

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Acid Food & Wine Bar slid into first place with their exceptional culinary offering centred around a thoughtfully curated 3-course, 8 dish tasting menu. Each course was meticulously paired with distinctive Laphroaig drinks, crafted from fine wines, enhancing the overall dining experience. The menu draws inspiration from the concept of “funky”, embodying elements of offbeat creativity, umami richness, unconventional culinary techniques, and the use of unfined and unfiltered ingredients. This unique approach promised a dining adventure that tantalizes the taste buds and pushes the boundaries of traditional flavours, making for a truly unforgettable gastronomic journey at Acid Food & Wine Bar.

 

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A private diner who attended the Acid Food & Wine Bar dinner says “Acid Food & Wine Bar, known for its commitment to exploring unique wine and culinary experiences, truly outdid themselves – the evening was an adventure of taste and a celebration of creativity! The collaborative effort with Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky to create a menu that celebrated these core elements was a testament to their dedication to pushing culinary boundaries. The restaurant’s warm and welcoming ambiance added an extra layer of charm to the evening, making it a memorable evening that I will fondly remember.”

As the world’s #1 selling family of Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, the Laphroaig family takes pride in its exceptional range of offerings, which include Laphroaig® 10 Year Old, Laphroaig 10 Year Old Cask Strength, Laphroaig® Quarter Cask, Laphroaig® 18 Year Old, Laphroaig® 25 Year Old, Laphroaig® Select, and Laphroaig® Triple Wood. Each expression reflects the brand’s commitment to crafting whiskies with a unique and unforgettable character.

For more information on Laphroaig and to stay up to date on exciting brand news, please visit www.laphroaig.com