Rum Connoisseur Interview of The Week MARIO HOFFERER IBA Cocktail World Champion 2017 / 2018
Rum Connoisseur
Interview of The Week
MARIO HOFFERER
IBA Cocktail World Champion 2017 / 2018
1. Who is Mario Hofferer
I am an 34-year old bar nerd from South Austria, exactly from Klagenfurt and i´ve been IBA Cocktail World Champion 2011 & 2017, four time Austrian national champion, Barman of the Year in 2012, as well as Leader of the Year in 2011.
I am an exceptionally creative perfectionist who uses high-quality materials and ingredients to create new and innovative drinks to enchant my guests. Every flip and shake of the hand behind the bar should become an experience form my clients.
2. Biggest achievement you personally feel you have accomplish for the rum industry
During a lot of mixology competitions aroud the world in the last 20 years i have learned a lot of people behind the bars and from the industry, who shared with me their passion while tasting various wonderful spirits. I am really thankful for all those wonderful hours & storys with this well crafted products.
3. What made you feel in love with rum and when did it happen?
Rum was for a long time my absolut favourite spirit, when i was entering the bar community. At that time i was smoking a lot of cigars as well and in my mind the combination cigars & rum is made from god himself!
4. What is that thing that makes you want to continue in the rum industry?
To be honest rum is a “must have” behind the bar. Rum as its best “straight up” or in different cocktails variations brings multiple flavours behind every counter and so it´s good fort he industry and the mixologists around the world.
5. Favourite drink + recipe
I love to go with a Santa Marta from the Cantineros or a beautiful Hotel Nacional de cuba. But at the moment my favourite is a simple „Dark´n´Stormy“
DARK AND STORMY
2 oz. dark rum
3 oz. ginger beer
1/2 oz. lime juice (optional)
6. Where do you see the rum industry today and in the next 5 years?
The market is quiet hard for the small premium Rum brands to play against the global players, but at least the scene is growing and growing and so it´s wonderful for passionate mixologists from all over the world to get all those interesting new flavors and origins.
All in all i expect a consolidated growth, cause our generation of bartenders and clients in front and behind the bar loves to work & drink those well crafted products from all over the world!
7. What do you think needs to happen to grow the premium category of rum?
In my mind crativity, innovative technic in front & behind the scenes as well communication to clinets & bartenders is the key to grow!.
The biggest point of course will be the communication in case of product & company presentations in form of masterclasses for the bartender community as well a strategy for the clients with social media commercials.
8. Which rum would you recommend a person that:
Diplomatico Ambassador
b) Likes scotch whiskey
Clement XOc) Likes bourbon
Reserva de la familia Serrallesd) Likes gin or vodka
Santa Marta Cocktail or Bacardi 44,5e) Likes cognac
Havana Club 15y
9. Share some (2-3) of your mentors and how they have help you
Alexander Radlowskyj and Peter Weissnegger. Those 2 gentlemen from the austrian bartenders association helped me to force my bartending career from year to year. We were travelling a lot around the world to compete on different competitions and visit different producers!
10. What 3-5 things do you have in your bucket list fort he next 12 months?
First of all i want find my dreamwife & go with her for holidays to Thailand or Maledives. Afterwards i want to celebrate the birth oft he baby from my buddy Momo Khani in Marbella & the marriage of my friend Miko Kubat!
11. Any last words?
To all bartenders & beautiful hearts from the beverage industry around the world – SHAKE WELL!
12. How can people learn more about you? Website? Social Media Page?
https://www.facebook.com/mario.hofferer.7
info@mario-hofferer.com
