The House of Amber, Joburg’s latest sensory pop-up experience, played host to a memorable finale on the 19th of November, as the Inverroche Amber Housewarming Bartender Competition came to a spirited close.
What unfolded was a warm celebration of people, creativity, and the pioneering spirit defining the luxury gin brand. Bringing together 30 bartenders from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, the competition invited mixologists to explore the brand through the creative lens of ‘From Roots to Revelation’.
Inverroche Amber Housewarming: From Roots to Revelation
After spending several weeks immersed in the brand’s world of fynbos and handcrafted distillation, the top nine contenders advanced to a bootcamp at the Brand Home in Stilbaai.
Once there, they participated in a gin masterclass with founder Lorna Scott, hiked the fynbos reserve, and, in addition, experimented with flavours in a process of transformative, handmade alchemy.
Moving the journey into a shared space, the finals then allowed guests to taste each cocktail, vote for their favourite, and listen to the stories behind every creative serve.
Meanwhile, the judging panel, led by award-winning mixologist Julian Short, chef and storyteller Neo Nontso, and Managing Director of Inverroche Distillery, Garth Watson, evaluated the finalists on creativity, flavour, connection to the brand, and their ability to translate fynbos into something truly expressive.
The Artistry of the Finalists
Alongside the Inverroche Amber Housewarming, which crowned a winner, the evening highlighted the true purpose of the competition: honouring the bartenders who share the spirit across the country and nurturing a community that understands the origins, craft, and care behind every bottle. It reinforced that the brand is more than a spirit; it is a story shaped by people, place, and the fynbos that continues to inspire them.
Alongside the eventual winner, the evening showcased the immense artistry of the remaining two finalists. Devon Andreka, a 14-year industry veteran and general manager at Obscura, presented a spirit-forward serve that revealed a deep understanding of balance, extraction, and botanical clarity.
In contrast, Mondli Ntuli from the iconic Oyster Box Hotel delivered a service both spiritual and medicinal. He utilised a symbolic beaded garnish to honour the lineage of love and grounding behind his craft.
Charné van Heerden Takes Top Honours at the Inverroche Amber Housewarming
Charné van Heerden, founder of Cape Town’s female-owned HiBall and a nationally awarded bartender, was named the overall winner for her cocktail, ‘Roots to Radiance’. Known for bold storytelling, highball innovation, and her leadership in championing gender representation in hospitality, Charné brought a deeply human narrative to the glass.
Her serve, crafted with Inverroche Amber, fynbos honey, marmalade liqueur, and a honeycomb garnish symbolising the guardians of fynbos, explored nature’s rhythms and the interconnectedness of community. Served on a mirrored coaster and paired with an invitation to inward reflection, her emotive story resonated with both judges and guests.
A Community of Craft
While the evening crowned a winner, it highlighted the true purpose of the competition: honouring the bartenders who share the spirit across the country and nurturing a community that understands the origins, craft, and care behind every bottle. It reinforced that the brand represents more than just a spirit; people, place, and the ever-inspiring fynbos continue to shape its story.
‘The Amber Housewarming is an investment in the people who carry Inverroche into the world every day. These bartenders bring our story to life through flavour, hospitality and connection.
Watching them explore our heritage and flex their creativity has been inspiring, and we are so happy to welcome all of them into our Inverroche family.’
~ Lauren Penny, Global Brand Ambassador for Inverroche
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