Dan Gregory of Brisbane’s ‘The Gresham’ has taken out the top prize at the inaugural Dare to Pisco Getaway Cocktail Competition, presented by The Pisco People.

After nearly six months of searching The Pisco People’s National Brand Manager, Fred Siggins, selected six finalists from across Australia: Alissa Gabriel from Eau de Vie Sydney, Dan Gregory from ‘The Gresham’ in Brisbane, Flavio Tripepi from Zeta Bar in Sydney, Serena O’Callaghan from Jungle Boy in Melbourne, Alex Hart from Eau de Vie Melbourne and Crispin Bould from Madam Brussels Melbourne.

Judged by Johnny Schuler – a leading expert on Peruvian Pisco and master distiller of Pisco Porton – along with Siggins, and The Age’s chief restaurant critic Gemima Cody, the competition was fierce. However, it was Gregory’s cocktail that won the day and the trips o Peru – courtesy of The Pisco People and LATAM Airlines.

The winning creation, named Four in Hand, was ‘inspired by four varieties of estate-grown grapes from Pisco Porton and showcased the hints of vanilla, pepper and spices found in Porton’s Pisco, with a puree of Granny Smith apples slow cooked in butter, to highlight the subtle autumn fruits of the Pisco, while adding a hint of acidity. A dash of vanilla was added to the puree to strengthen the mid palate, with a touch of honey and sauterne highlighting the Pisco’s soft floral notes. Lemon and sugar were added to balance the drink, and egg white gave the drink a silky texture’.

Runner-up, Alissa Gabriel wanted her creation to take the drinker on a tropical holiday in a glass – and on a plate, while third place winner Serena O’Callaghan’s drink was inspired by the bar she calls her second home – Melbourne Jungle Boy.

For those who would love to win themselves a trip to Peru care of The Pisco People but missed out on entering the competition – head to our online shop and simply buy a bottle from The Pisco People’s amazing range to win (to find out more read here). You could be jetting off to Peru in no time!