Following an impressive pool of nominees and months of careful evaluation by some of the most respected individuals in the spirits and cocktail industries, Tales of the Cocktail® is thrilled to announce the winners of the 11th Annual Spirited Awards®.
Each of these winners was in front of a crowd of their peers and supporters at the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans, hosted by comedian and actor Michael Ian Black. In addition to the judged winners, Tales also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award to 
Charles Schumann.
“The Spirited Awards get more and more competitive because our industry keeps raising its game every single year,” said Ann and Paul Tuennerman, Co-Founders of Tales of the Cocktail®. “Congrats to this year’s winners on monumental accomplishment.”
Since being founded in 2007, the Spirited Awards® have grown to become one of the prestigious and sought-after awards in the industry. Recognizing writers and brand ambassadors alongside bartenders and bars, the Awards showcase the talent found throughout every aspect of the spirits and cocktail world. Winners were voted on by two panels of over 100 industry experts, led by Charlotte Voisey (Chairperson), Jacob Briars (International Judging Committee Chairman), Paul Clarke (Writing Committee Chairman) and Brooke Arthur, Bridget Albert and Derek Brown (U.S. Judging Committee Chairs).
“The 15th annual Spirited Awards have once again successfully celebrated excellence in our industry,” said Charlotte Voisey, Director of Brand Advocacy for William Grant & Sons and Chairperson of the Sprited Awards®. “I am so thrilled for each winner as well as all of the finalists honored along the way, especially the new bars that have burst on to the scenes in the last year.”
While every award presented carries a high level of prestige, the final award announced is always the most coveted among nominees. The World’s Best Bar award compiles the gross votes for both American and International finalists in the following categories: Best High Volume Cocktail Bar, Best Hotel Bar, Best Restaurant Bar, Best Cocktail Bar or World’s Best Cocktail Menu. From this incredibly competitive pool of finalists, it was Dandelyan that edged out as the victor, taking home both the signature Riedel Crystal Trophy and the bragging rights of being honored as the best in the world.
2017 Spirited Award® Recipients
American Categories
Best American Bar Team
Presented by William Grant & Sons
The NoMad Bar (New York)
Best American Brand Ambassador
Presented by NOCCPS
Misty Kalkofen (Del Maguey)
Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar
Presented by William Grant & Sons
Sweet Liberty Drinks and Supply Co. (Miami, FL)
Best American Restaurant Bar
Presented by Suze
Dante (New York)
American Bartender of the Year
Presented by Bacardi
Jeff Bell (New York)
Best American Cocktail Bar
Presented by Lillet
Columbia Room (Washington, D.C)
Best American Hotel Bar
Presented by Elijah Craig
The Hawthorne at Hotel Commonwealth (Boston)
Best New American Cocktail Bar
Presented by Luxardo
BlackTail (New York)
International Categories
Best International Bar Team
Presented by Angostura
Dandelyan (London)
Best International Brand Ambassador
Presented by Rutte
Camille Ralph Vidal (St. Germain)
Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar
Presented by 1724 Tonic Water
Trailer Happiness (London)
Best International Restaurant Bar
Presented by Suze
Tippling Club (Singapore)
International Bartender of the Year
Presented by Bacardi
Shingo Gokan (Shanghai)
Best International Cocktail Bar
Presented by Chivas
Black Pearl (Melbourne)
Best International Hotel Bar
Presented by Bound Bar
Dandelyan at the Mondrian (London)
Best New International Cocktail Bar
Presented by Pierre Ferrand
Swift (London)
Writing Categories
Best Cocktail and Spirits Publication
Presented by Gin Mare
Hot Rum Cow
Best New Cocktail & Bartending Book
Presented by Nikka Whisky
Smuggler’s Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki by Martin and Rebecca Cate
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer
Presented by Beam Suntory
Wayne Curtis
Best New Spirits Book
Presented by Pierre Ferrand
Bourbon: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of an American Whiskey by Fred Minnick
Global Categories
Best Bar Mentor
Presented by BarSmarts
David Wondrich
World’s Best Cocktail Menu
Presented by Beam Suntory
Trick Dog (San Francisco)
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient
Presented by Bound Bar
ITALICUS – Rosolio di Bergamotto (Italy)
World’s Best Spirits Selection
Presented by Montecristo Cigar Bar
canon: whiskey and bitters emporium (Seattle)
World’s Best Cocktail Bar
Presented by Elijah Craig
Dandelyan (London)
Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented by William Grant & Sons
Charles Schumann
This year official sponsoring partners of the Spirited Awards® were 1724 Tonic Water, Bacardi USA, BarSmarts, Beam Suntory, Bound at The Cromwell, Chivas, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, GH Mumm, Gin Mare, House of Angostura, Lillet, Luxardo, Maison Ferrand, Montecristo Cigar Bar at Caesars Palace, Nikka Whiskey, Rutte Gin, Suze Bitters & Liqueurs and William Grant & Sons.
