View the terms and conditions that apply to your market/region
Official Rules for TOTCF’s Sustainable Cocktail Challenge sponsored by Flor de Caña United States
TERMS AND CONDITIONS - United States - 2024
Eligibility:
- Bartenders: The Competition is open only to individuals who (a) are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States, (b) are at least twenty-one (21) years old as of the date of entry, and (c) have a passport valid through August 31, 2025.
- Exclusions: Individuals who are full-time or part-time employees of TOTCF, Luxury Spirits International LLC, Flor De Cana, or a distributor at the time of entry, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, children) and household members of those employees, are not eligible to enter.
Stage 1: Online Entries
- How to Enter: Visit www.flordecanachallenge.com (the “Website”) and follow the instructions on that page. You will be required to submit a cocktail recipe that meets the requirements described below. Together, the recipe and the photo constitute your “Entry.” Entries must be received by April 30, 2024, and there is a limit of one (1) Entry per person.
- a. Recipe Requirements: Your recipe must meet the following requirements:
- Recipes must be expressed in milliliters or fluid ounces, divided into relatively customary measurements (0.5 oz., 1 oz., 2 oz., etc.), with dashes and/or drops being the smallest quantities.
- The recipe must contain Flor de Caña 12 Year Rum; a minimum of 40 ml or 1.5 oz, and up to 5 additional sustainable ingredients including garnish.
- Each ingredient must meet at least one of the following criteria: Fair Trade certified, seasonal, locally produced, and/or derived from food waste or zero waste.
- The recipe should not contain any other spirit with an abv 25% and above (50 proof and above). Liqueurs, aperitifs, fortified wines, and tinctures are permitted as modifiers only with a measurement that does not exceed 1oz (30ml).
- Recipes cannot reference any other brand other than Flor de Caña or include processed ingredients or products (i.e. finest call products, coco real, etc).
- The content of the cocktail must be between 3 oz. and 11 oz. (including dashes and drops).
- The cocktail should be served in a sustainable vessel.
- You may not use flaming alcohol or flames near alcohol.
- Ingredients must be safe for human consumption and easily replicable.
- You must specify a name for your recipe. The name may not include any copyrighted or trademarked material or any retailer’s name, except that you may use the Flor de Caña brand in the name.
- Recipes must be an original creation and not have been used in previous media, competitions, or other publications.
- b. Photo Requirements: Your photo must meet the following requirements:
- The photo must be saved in a JPG or PNG file format.
- The photo cannot be larger than 20 MB.
- Cannot contain trademarked, copyrighted, or intellectual property of third parties.
- Photos must be an original creation and not have been used in previous media, competitions, or other publications.
- Your photo may not: (a) be targeted to people under twenty-one (21) years old; (b) feature anyone who is under twenty-one (21) years old; (c) encourage, condone, promote, or glamorize under-age, excessive, or irresponsible consumption of alcohol products, drunk driving, or any behavior considered to be anti-social, illegal, or immoral or suggest that the consumption of beverage alcohol will lead to social or sexual success; (d) violate anyone else’s rights, including their copyrights, trademark rights, or rights of privacy or publicity; or (e) reflect poorly on TOTCF or Flor de Caña. In addition, your Entry must comply with the Code of Responsible Practices for Beverage Alcohol Advertising and Marketing of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Inc.
- Online Entries Judging: A committee of 3 judges will review each entry and score it based on the following criteria. The judges will select up to ten (10) Finalists for each Key City Final.
- a. Online Entries Judging Criteria:
- Concept/History: Up to 20 points. This measures the ability to bring the cocktail’s story to life.
- Creativity: Up to 20 points. The cocktail should be exclusively your own.
- Sustainable Ingredients and Components: Up to 40 points. Each sustainable ingredient must meet the above-mentioned ingredient criteria.
- Cocktail appearance/photo: Up to 20 points.
- Notification of Key City Semi-Finalists: TOTCF will notify all Key City Semi-Finalists via email by May1st and May14th 2024. Each Semi-Finalist may be required to complete and return a declaration of eligibility, a liability/publicity release, a current W-9, and an authorization to conduct a background check. TOTCF reserves the right (in its sole discretion) to disqualify a Semi-Finalist if the individual does not sign the necessary forms within five (5) days of the date notification is sent. If a Semi-Finalist returns these documents on time, and in TOTCF’s sole discretion, passes the background check, they will be invited to participate in the Regional competitions in one (1) of three (3) cities in the United States.
Stage 2: Key City Finals
- Key City Finals: The Key City Semi-Finals competitions will take place on one day between October 2nd, 2024 and October 17th, 2024. Each Semi-Finalist who resides outside the city where the competition will take place will be reimbursed for their travel expenses and lodging up to $1,000 USD.
- Austin, Texas – June 18th
- Los Angeles, California – June 24th
- Miami, Florida – September 10th
- a. Sustainable Cocktail Presentation
- Each competitor must make one (1) full-size cocktail for each judge.
- Competitors may choose to change, upgrade, or replace their cocktail recipe from the initial submission.
- Competitors should present the cocktail’s inspiration, history, recipe, and sustainability component, as well as the cocktail’s tie to Flor de Caña to the audience and judges.
- Competitors will be provided with ice (cubed and/or crushed) and Flor de Caña 12 Year Rum.
- Competitors should provide their own bar tools, glassware, and additional cocktail ingredients.
- Each ingredient should be measured, free pouring is not allowed and will result in disqualification.
- Contestants must use simple ingredients to ensure that the final cocktail can be prepared in batches for up to 50 people.
- b. Key City Finals Judging: The challenges will be judged according to the following criteria.
- Taste and Appearance: Up to 30 points
- Sustainability Component: Up to 20 points
- Cocktail Creativity: Up to 30 points
- Story Behind the Cocktail: Up to 10 points
- Replicability & Scalability: Up to 10 points
- Prizing: The judges will select First, Second, and Third place winners per Key City based on the scores.
- Third Place: $150 USD and a donation to One Tree Planted in the bartender’s name for $100.
- Second Place: $500 USD and a donation to One Tree Planted in the bartender’s name for $200.
- First Place: $1,000 USD, and a donation for $300 One Tree Planted in the bartender’s name and an invitation to participate in the Global Final in Nicaragua in February 2025.
Stage 3: Global Final
- Trip to Nicaragua: Each Finalist will receive: (a) round-trip coach class airfare for two (2) people, inclusive of the Finalist and one (1) guest, from an airport close to the Finalist’s home to Nicaragua; (b) hotel accommodations for four (4) nights; (c) ground transportation in Nicaragua; (d) travel insurance; and (e) an immersive experience at the Flor de Caña distillery. The approximate retail value of the trip is $4,000. The actual value of the trip will vary depending on various factors, including the date of booking, the point of departure, and the dates of travel. Please see the Prize Details Section below for additional details. Finalists will be responsible for passports, visas if needed, vaccines, luggage, tax, meals, and the cost of other incidental expenses. It is the responsibility of the guests to ensure they are allowed to enter, exit, and stay legally in all countries in Central America without restrictions.
- Competition: The U.S. Finals will take place in Nicaragua in February 2025. During the Finals, the Finalists will compete against each other in various bartending challenges. All challenges will be judged according to the criteria disclosed at the event. The judging panel will pick one (1) U.S. winner based on the scores to compete against the winners from other countries. The decision of the judging panel is final.
- Grand Prize: The winner of the Global Final will be awarded with the title “Tales of the Cocktail Foundation World’s Most Sustainable Bartender 2024 sponsored by Flor de Caña” and a cash prize of $10,000. Additional details will be provided at the time of the award.
General Terms
- Supplies: For all stages, competitors will be responsible for all expenses that are not explicitly stated as provided by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation in these rules.
- Agreement to Terms and Conditions: By participating in this Competition, you indicate your unconditional agreement to these Official Rules, the TOTCF Code of Conduct, and TOTCF’s decisions, which are final and binding. Moreover, by participating, you represent that you are complying with any policies your employer may have regarding participation in competitions of this nature. You cannot win a prize unless you comply with all requirements set forth herein. TOTCF reserves the right to change these Official Rules at any time, without prior notice. Any changes will be posted on the Website.
- Background Check: TOTCF reserves the right (at any point and in its sole discretion) to disqualify any individual if, based on the results of the background check – or on an individual’s other actions or statements – TOTCF concludes that the individual will not be a good representative for the Flor de Caña brand. Any actions of the participant outside of accordance with the TOTCF Code of Conduct will result in disqualification from the program.
- Rights to Entries: By entering, you irrevocably: (a) grant TOTCF, Luxury Spirits International LLC, Flor de Caña, and each of their agents, licensees, and assigns (collectively, the “Rights Holders”) the unconditional and non-exclusive right and permission to copyright, reproduce, encode, store, copy, transmit, publish, post, broadcast, display, publicly perform, adapt, modify, create derivative works of, exhibit, and otherwise use your Entry as-is or as-edited in any media throughout the world for any purpose, without limitation, and without additional review, compensation, or approval from you or any other party for five (5) years from the date you submitted the Entry; (b) waive any rights of copyrights, trademark rights, privacy rights, and any other legal or moral rights that may preclude the Rights Holders’ use of your Entry, as outlined above, or require any further permission for the Rights Holders to use the Entry; and (c) agree not to instigate, support, maintain, or authorize any action, claim, or lawsuit against the Rights Holders on the grounds that any use of the Entry, or any derivative works, infringes any of your rights as creator of the Entry, including, without limitation, copyrights, trademark rights, and moral rights.
- Publicity: Except where prohibited, by participating in the Competition, you agree that the Rights Holders and any media attending events related to the Competition may use your name, likeness, voice, opinions, photographs, your photo submission, event-related audio-visual footage, recipe, biographical information, state of residence, and/or any other record of your participation in the Competition for promotional purposes in any press releases, advertisements, television, radio, film, documentary, internet, social media, or in any other publication or media without further payment or consideration and to license the right to use such intellectual property to others. You may be required to sign additional releases regarding publicity.
- Prize Details: You are responsible for paying any taxes, including income taxes and any and all other costs and expenses not listed in the Official Rules. You may be required to provide a Social Security Number for tax reporting purposes. Any prize details not specified above will be determined by TOTCF, at its sole discretion. The actual value of the trips will vary depending on various factors, including the date of booking, the point of departure, and dates of travel. A prize may not be transferred and must be accepted as awarded. You may not request cash or a substitute prize; however, TOTCF reserves the right to substitute a prize (or component thereof) with another prize (or component thereof) of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason, as determined by TOTCF, in its sole discretion. You must travel on the dates specified by TOTCF. Once travel documents are issued, travel arrangements cannot be changed. If you cannot travel on the dates specified by TOTCF, you will not be permitted to compete in the next stage of the Competition. You are responsible for securing passports, visas, and any other documents necessary for international travel. If the Competition is canceled, no prizes may be awarded.
- General Conditions: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Competition is impaired in any way, TOTCF may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) cancel or suspend the Competition to address the impairment and then resume the Competition; or (b) award the prizes according to the criteria set forth above from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. TOTCF reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify and seek damages from any individual who tampers with the operation of the Competition, violates these Official Rules or the TOTCF Code of Conduct, or acts in a disruptive or unsportsmanlike manner. TOTCF’s failure to enforce any term of these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. Proof of sending any communication to TOTCF by mail shall not be deemed proof of receipt of that communication by TOTCF. The Competition is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void in Utah and where prohibited. You agree that, while participating in the contest and in your private life, you will (a) not commit an offense involving moral turpitude; (b) not engage in activities that may create any public scandal, disrepute, widespread contempt, or public ridicule; (c) not harass, embarrass, offend, insult, or denigrate individuals or groups; (d) not damage the person or property of others; (e) that you will treat all other contestants, judges, and related competition personnel with respect; and (f) that you will drink responsibly. Travel and cash prizes will be taxable to contestants and you should expect to receive a Form 1099.
- Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Competition, you hereby release and hold harmless TOTCF, Luxury Spirits International LLC, Flor de Caña, and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents (the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Competition or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Competition; (b) technical errors; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Competition or the processing of Entries; (f) injury or damage to yourself and your property and/or (g) injury or damage you cause to other persons or property. You further agree to defend, indemnify, release, and hold the Released Parties harmless from any claims related to your participation including damage to other persons and property, and from any claims that their use of your Entry (as contemplated in these Rules) violates or infringes upon the rights of any third party. You waive the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.
- Disputes: All disputes arising out of or related to these rules, the Competition, or any other matter shall be resolved through binding arbitration filed and heard in New Orleans, Louisiana pursuant to American Arbitration Association Rules using a single arbitrator. Each contestant waives any rights to challenge this forum and venue or the application of Louisiana law. Should this arbitration agreement be held non-enforceable or in order to enforce an arbitration award, each contestant irrevocably submits and consents to the jurisdiction and venue of the courts located in Orleans Parish, Louisiana and waives any objection that such forum is inconvenient. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these Terms and Conditions, your rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of TOTCF in connection with the Competition, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Louisiana, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of Louisiana or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Louisiana. Each contestant agrees that any claim or dispute related to the Competition shall be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, collective, or representative action or as a named or unnamed member in a class, collective, consolidated, or private attorney general action.
- Sponsor: The Competition is brought to you by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, ℅ Taylor & Willis CPAs, 3500 N Causeway Blvd, Suite 1145, Metairie, LA 70002.