Phil Nickson

Type

Booze hounds

WHERE DO YOU/HAVE YOU WORKED?

Morrison Bowmore Distillers

Where do you live?

Hitchin, Hertfordshire but based in London

bh3

Zetter Townhouse - professional staff, beautiful decor and a unique drinks menu Callooh Callay - one of the most fun nights out in London Dukes Bar at Dukes Hotel - historic and relaxing place to enjoy a dram of fine single malt whisky or the best martini in London served by Alessandro Palazzi and his team

3 favourite international bars and why

Blythswood Square Hotel Bar, Glasgow - fantastic drinks list from Mal Spence and the team Noku in Tallinn - unassuming private members club in the Old Town in Tallinn, no sign on the door so you have to know its there - where the art/music crowd hang out in Tallinn, always a great night DUB in Brisbane - not a fancy place by any stretch of the imagination, but very happy work/play memories from my backpacker days!!

Introduce us to a great bartender

Kamil Foltan, Head Bartender at Zetter Townhouse - always the consummate professional - great understanding of drinks and a wonderful mixologist.

Best part of your job?

Variety of the role - a mix of sales, tastings and bar staff training, the people I work with, always a pleasure to visit our three single malt scotch distilleries - Bowmore, Auchentoshan & Glen Garioch.

bh8

Lots of whisky tastings in the busy pre-Christmas period then some time off to enjoy a family Christmas...

bh9

A pilot or racing car driver and later, a musician.

If you were going to make a Barchick cocktail what would you call it and what you be in it?

'The Kilted Cockerel' - with the only triple distilled single malt Auchentoshan Three Wood, Cinnamon Syrup, Pink Lemonade, Orange Juice & Lime shaken over ice and served in a flute with nutmeg shavings. A real contrast of sweet and sour, great balance and appeals to all palates.

Who would play you in a movie?

Sean Bean? Or Mackenzie Crook from The Office/Pirates of the Carribean!

If you weren't a bartender what would you like to be?

I'm not a bartender now, but I used to be, and if I still was, I would like to be a musician.

If you could make a drink for one person dead or alive who would it be

Keith Richards from The Rolling Stones - a big hero of mine and an absolute legend who knew / knows how to drink!

Top chefs have their guilty pleasure food, what's your guilty pleasure drink

A 'June Bug' cocktail with Midori melon liqueur!!

Drink trend that you're excited about

Single malt whisky from other parts of the world - particularly Japan and the Suntory range of Yamazaki and Hakushu.

It's the end of the world in 24 hours what would you do?

A 24 hour party with my family and close friends - live music and lots of single malt whisky until the very end!!!

Favourite place in the world?

Koh Tao in Thailand - tranquility and relaxation!! I will make it back there one day.

Desert island bottle?

Auchentoshan 1978 30yo Bourbon Cask - distilled in the year of my birth!!