Woodford Reserve has announced the return of its Global Bar Exchange, an international advocacy program designed specifically to celebrate the creativity, skill and community found within the hospitality industry.
The initiative runs from September 2025 to April 2026 and will bring together emerging talent from some of the world’s most respected and breakthrough bars. They will collaborate to create flavor-driven experiences that champion Woodford Reserve’s signature craft and character.
The 2025/26 Global Bar Exchange is the third in the series and will span 12 key markets: Australia, Brazil, Dubai, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, the UK and the USA. In each city, visiting bartenders will be fully immersed in the host city’s flavour culture - from exploring regional ingredients and culinary techniques to engaging with unique experiences and hospitality perspectives - all whilst crafting one-of-a-kind Bourbon forward drinks that reflect both place and personality.
Far more than a series of guest shifts, Woodford Reserve’s Global Bar Exchange is designed to inspire, educate and empower, the programme nurtures meaningful connections, encourages skill development and fosters a shared sense of purpose. Each stop culminates in a collaborative bar event, where visiting and host bartenders showcase their serves throughout the evening.
Kicking off in September, London’s Nightjar team will travel to Brisbane, Australia, to visit Death and Taxes between 7th –12th September, followed by a return leg in October as Death and Taxes heads to London from the 13th - 18thOctober. In November, Seoul’s Bar Cham will take up residence at Amsterdam’s Sin of Sal, before the collaboration continues in Seoul later that month.
This year’s program will be amplified by a lifestyle inspired global campaign titled ‘A Travelling Spectacle’, bringing to life the stories, talent and cities behind the exchange, capturing the spirit of modern hospitality.
“We are now in our third year of the Woodford Reserve Global Bar Exchange and cannot wait to kick off the new edition. This year will see a dynamic mix of partners and exciting new markets, and we’re building on the momentum of our previous Exchanges to deliver something truly global in scale and spirit. The program continues to deepen our connections with the bartending community, creating meaningful collaborations and connections that reflect the heart of modern hospitality.” Notes Nidal Ramini, director of advocacy at Brown-Forman.
By connecting respected voices from across the industry, the Global Bar Exchange reflects Woodford Reserve’s ongoing commitment to the people and places shaping modern hospitality and its mission to ‘enrich life with substance and style’.
