The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) has revealed the Top Four Finalists for its 2024 Spirited Awards with Luke Whearty from Byrdi in Melbourne nominated for the International Bartender of the Year award.
The winners of this year’s awards will be revealed at the Tales of the Cocktail conference, which celebrates its 22nd year in New Orleans from 21-26 July.
The awards span international and US categories, with the initial finalists announced earlier this month.
“It is with immense pleasure that we celebrate those propelling the cocktail industry forward and amplifying their craft within their respective communities,” said Charlotte Voisey, Spirited Awards Overall Chair.
“We are honoured to announce our Top Four Finalists for the 2024 Spirited Awards and recognize the incredibly talented individuals receiving the Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award, Timeless U.S. and International Awards, and the Tales Visionary Award.
“Their love-affair with hospitality and dedication to advancing the industry is awe-inspiring. We are excited to celebrate and honour them at the 18th annual Spirited Awards.”
The 2024 Spirited Awards Top Four Finalists are:
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES
International Bartender of the Year presented by House of Lustau
- Lorenzo Antinori — Bar Leone, Hong Kong, China
- Kate Boushel — Atwater Cocktail Club, Milky Way Cocktail Bar, Bon Délire, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Eric van Beek — Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City, Mexico
- Luke Whearty — BYRDI, Melbourne, Australia
Best International Bar Mentor presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Ryan Chetiyawardana
- Iain McPherson
- Danil Nevsky
- Christina Veira
Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Claudia Cabrera — Fratelli Branca
- Jesse Estes —Tequila Ocho
- Caitlin Hill — Rémy Cointreau
- Dave Mitton — Lot 40 / J.P. Wiser’s
Best International Bar Team presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico
- Hanky Panky — Mexico City, Mexico
- Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
- Panda & Sons — Edinburgh, Scotland
Best International Cocktail Bar presented by PATRÓN Tequila
- Bar with Shapes for a Name — London, UK
- ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena des Indias, Colombia
- Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico
- Satan’s Whiskers — London, UK
Best International Hotel Bar presented by Fords Gin
- ARGO at the Four Seasons — Hong Kong, China
- BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Bangkok — Bangkok, Thailand
- Charles H. at the Four Seasons Hotel — Seoul, South Korea
- Side Hustle at The NoMad Hotel London — London, UK
Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Gin Mare
- ARCA Tulum — Tulum, Mexico
- Bar Kismet — Halifax, NS, Canada
- Burnt Ends Bar — Singapore
- Danico — Paris, France
Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy
- Bar Leone — Hong Kong, China
- Bar Nouveau — Paris, France
- Bar Us — Bangkok, Thailand
- Cat Bite Club — Singapore
U.S. CATEGORIES
U.S. Bartender of the Year presented by Pernod Ricard
- McLain Hedges — Yacht Club, Denver, CO
- Christine Kim — Service Bar, Washington, D.C.
- Kapri Robinson — Allegory, Washington, D.C.
- Masa Urushido — Katana Kitten, New York, NY
Best U.S. Bar Mentor presented by Jameson Irish Whiskey
- Anu Apte
- Jason Asher
- Kate Gerwin
- Alex Jump
Best U.S. Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Tad Carducci — Gruppo Montenegro
- Benny Hurwitz — Campari American Whiskeys
- Anna Mains — Monkey Shoulder
- Natasha Sofia — Mijenta Tequila
Best U.S. Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons
- Century Grand — Phoenix, AZ
- Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA
- Pacific Cocktail Haven — San Francisco, CA
- Service Bar — Washington, D.C.
Best U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Del Maguey Mezcal
- Double Chicken Please — New York, NY
- Happy Accidents — Albuquerque, NM
- Overstory — New York, NY
- Yacht Club — Denver, CO
Best U.S. Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose
- Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, D.C.
- Little Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott — Phoenix, AZ
- Pacific Standard at the KEX Portland — Portland, OR
- The Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt New Orleans — New Orleans, LA
Best U.S. Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Cleaver – Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails — Las Vegas, NV
- Jaguar Sun — Miami, FL
- Kumiko — Chicago, IL
- Palomar — Portland, OR
Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy
- Cobra — Columbus, OH
- Medium Cool Cocktail Lounge — Miami Beach, FL
- Paradise Lost — New York, NY
- Superbueno — New York, NY
WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- CLASS magazine
- SevenFifty Daily
- The Cocktail Lovers
- The Spirits Business
Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Bartender at Large
- Like•a•ble Cocktails by Kaitlyn
- Perspectives by Campari Academy
- Radio Imbibe
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- “A New Spirit Confronts the Consequences of Colonialism,” by Adaorah Oduah, for Punch
- “Facing Rum’s Problematic Past Is Allowing Producers to Embrace the Spirit’s Future,” by Christine Sismondo, for Imbibe
- “Indigenous Women Working in Mezcal Are Ready to Be Recognized for Their Work,” by Shayna Conde, for Wine Enthusiast
- “Meet the People Keeping Queer Bars Safe,” by Rax Will, for Punch
Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Slow Drinks: A Field Guide to Foraging and Fermenting Seasonal Sodas, Botanical Cocktails, Homemade Wines, and More by Danny Childs
- The Book of Cocktail Ratios: The Surprising Simplicity of Classic Cocktails by Michael Ruhlman
- The Ice Book: Cool Cubes, Clear Spheres, and Other Chill Cocktail Crafts by Camper English
- TROPICAL STANDARD: Cocktail Techniques and Reinvented Recipes by Garret Richard & Ben Schaffer
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life by Mandy Naglich
- ICE: From Mixed Drinks to Skating Rinks–a Cool History of a Hot Commodity by Amy Brady
- Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs, and Juice: Cocktails from Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks by Toni Tipton-Martin
- The Maison Premiere Almanac Cocktails, Oysters, Absinthe, and Other Essential Nutrients for the Sensualist, Aesthete, and Flaneur: A Cocktail Recipe Book by Joshua Boissy, Krystof Zizka, Jordan Mackay, William Eilliott
GLOBAL CATEGORIES
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Don Fulano Tequila 20 Anniversary Sherry Cask Añejo
- J. Rieger & Co. Monogram Whiskey 2023 Kansas City Whiskey – Solera Reserve
- Worthy Park 109
- YUZUCO Yuzu Super Juice
World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Diageo Bar Academy
- Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, D.C.
- ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena des Indias, Colombia
- Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico
- Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Baba Au Rum — Athens, Greece
- Eleven Madison Park — New York, NY
- Multnomah Whisk{e}y Library — Portland, OR
- Origin Bar at the Shangri-La Hotel — Singapore
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award presented by William Grant & Sons
- Hidetsugu Ueno
Timeless International Award presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Café Pacifico — London, UK
Timeless U.S. Award presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- The Buena Vista — San Francisco, CA
Tales Visionary Award Presented by Johnnie Walker
- Colin Asare-Appiah
