The fourth edition of Woodford Reserve’s Global Bar Exchange (GBE) will return later this year with India confirmed as a new addition.
The Brown-Forman-owned Bourbon brought back its international advocacy programme last year.
Described as its ‘most ambitious programme to date’, the third edition of Woodford Reserve’s GBE spanned two phases across 2025 and 2026.
The Global Bar Exchange aims to forge lasting connections and share knowledge among bartenders across the world.
This year’s iteration covered 12 markets: Australia, Brazil, Thailand, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the UK and the US.
As part of the programme, bartenders head to other cities to become immersed in the culture, exploring regional ingredients, culinary techniques, and hospitality experiences.
Bartenders were able to connect with world-renowned chefs such as Australia’s Mindy Wood and Jeremy Chan of London’s Ikoyi, as well as get involved in local sustainability initiatives, and visit both neighbourhood bars and Michelin-starred venues.
Some of the experiences included late-night ramen counters in Tokyo, long-table feats in São Paulo, rooftop bites in Hong Kong and espresso-fuelled mornings in Naples.
Giuseppe Quartararo, head bartender and marketing lead at London’s Nightjar, said: “The Global Bar Exchange is far more than a guest shift – it’s a true cultural and creative exchange.
“Sharing knowledge while learning from others has reshaped the way I see this industry. It’s a rare experience of passion, growth, and gratitude.”
Brisa Santos, bartender at Bar Mauro, also shared her thoughts on the programme. “This experience was a door to realise how huge and incredible our world is, that there is still a lot to know and that nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it,” she noted. “This exchange made me realise how much the world can show me.”
The Global Bar Exchange programme will return in late 2026 into 2027, with eight markets confirmed to date. Among the new additions is India.
Nidal Ramini, brand advocacy director for Europe, India, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific (APAC) and global travel retail at Brown-Forman, added: “The long-term goal of the Global Bar Exchange is to ‘keep evolving’ growing into new markets, with India and seven other markets across Europe and APAC already confirmed for next year’s exchange.
“Everything we do at Woodford Reserve is about inspiring people, which is exactly what we hope to continue to do with the GBE. For now, it’s a moment to reflect, and to raise a glass to the journeys taken, the knowledge shared, and the memories made along the way.”
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