Interview with Wade Cleophas, Creator of Legend Reviver
Wade Cleophas triumphed over more than 2,500 submissions from 13 cruise lines to earn the title of 2017 BACARDÍ® Legacy Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year with his signature drink, Legend Reviver. As he gears up for the Global Finals in Berlin, he shares exclusive insights with us.
What is your hometown?
Langebaan, South Africa, located about an hour from Cape Town.
What’s your professional journey?
I have dedicated 12 years to bartending, starting at 18. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of training under some of the top bartenders worldwide.
What inspired your transition from land to sea?
Working on a ship has been a dream of mine since I was 22. After my time at a prestigious cocktail bar in Dubai, I decided to pursue that dream and applied to Dinogo.
What’s it like to work on a cruise ship?
This is a tough question, as it’s hard to articulate the experience of working aboard one of the largest cruise ships in the world. It’s unpredictable, fast-paced, demanding, and fun. In summary, I’d describe it as perfectly organized chaos, and I thrive in that environment.
What inspired the creation of the Legend Reviver?
When I learned about the competition, I was thrilled; it was my chance to showcase my mixology skills again. The winning cocktail needed to be unique yet easy to replicate. I reviewed past winners, which were primarily Tiki-style drinks. Since this was the first year to use BACARDÍ® OCHO (8) ANOS, I aimed for something different—an elegant drink that showcased BACARDÍ® without overwhelming the flavor like a juice might. It took me weeks to transform my ideas into the Legend Reviver. When I didn’t hear back, I feared it was over, but then I received an email saying I made it to the Top 3! I rushed to my room to celebrate with a happy dance.
What was the inspiration behind this cocktail?
When I think of rum, I envision traveling to exotic destinations, which is fitting since I work on a cruise ship. I reflected on what makes a classic cocktail endure over time—easy to remember, simple to recreate, rich in history, and a taste that stands the test of time. I decided to blend two exceptional classics, the Manhattan and the Sazerac, to create something new with BACARDÍ®.
What inspired the name?
Do you recall the times when stories began with "As Legend has it?" Don Facundo Bacardi embodied that spirit, dreaming of a rum that would endure through ages. I sought to capture and honor that vision, thus the name Legend Reviver was born.
For those yet to experience it, how would you describe the taste of the Legend Reviver?
It's a harmonious blend, smooth and layered. You start with the aroma of licorice from the Absinthe mist, followed by a sweet spice hint from caramel and cinnamon syrup, and finish with the depth of star anise-infused sweet vermouth. The elegant aftertaste features BACARDÍ®.
Is this drink meant to be savored alone, or can it be paired with something?
This cocktail is quite adaptable; it shines on its own or can be beautifully paired with a cigar.
How was your experience at the BACARDÍ® Legacy Cruise Competition?
I practiced tirelessly for the 2017 BACARDÍ® Legacy Cruise Competition in Miami. On the day of the event, I believed I would go last, only to discover I was first! That’s when the nerves kicked in. I stepped on stage, giving what I thought was my second-best performance, the first being my practice. It was a nerve-wracking wait to hear whether I’d be declared a winner or not.
What was your reaction upon winning the BACARDÍ® Legacy Cruise Competition?
When they announced my name as the winner, I was so overwhelmed that I fell to the ground. The joy was indescribable, and it took me an entire week to truly process what had happened.
Join the journey:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LegendReviver/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LegendReviver
Instagram: @legendreviver #LegendReviver
Catch Wade and the Legend Reviver on Dinogo Escape.
Evaluation :
5/5