Top Four Finalists of Spirited Awards

Tales of the Cocktail 2019 Spirited AwadsAfter a record year of submissions, highly competitive Top Ten nominees and in-depth deliberation from the judging panels, the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation® is thrilled to announce the Top Four Finalists in each category for the upcoming 13th Annual Spirited Awards®. Since their debut in 2007, the Spirited Award® have recognized the best and brightest in the cocktail and spirits industries. The award categories stretch from bartenders and brand ambassadors to bars and writers in order to ensure that every aspect of the industry receives recognition for its contributions. For these efforts, the Spirited Award® have grown to become one of the most coveted honors an industry professional can receive.

“The depth and breadth of quality in our industry continues to grow and reflect the hard work and dedication of so many bar professionals around the world,” says Charlotte Voisey, Spirited Awards Chairperson. “We are delighted to be able to celebrate that through the Spirited Awards® year after year. Many congratulations to all of our Top 4 nominees this year, we look forward to recognizing you all and to announcing the winners in New Orleans soon.”

The finalists in each category are invited to attend The Spirited Awards®, hosted at the iconic Orpheum Theatre in New Orleans on Saturday, July 20th from 7:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.

The winners of each category will be announced live in front of their peers in the cocktail and spirits industry. In addition to the prestige that comes with winning a Spirited Award®, recipients will receive a Riedel Crystal Trophy to commemorate their accomplishments.

“The Foundation is thrilled to shine a light on these select talents in our industry and acknowledge their invaluable contributions at the 13th Annual Spirited Awards®,” says Caroline Rosen, Executive Director of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. “We extend our congratulations to all nominated and are thrilled to honor such a global group of talent.”

General admission tickets to the awards are available for $100 and floor seats for $450 each. New this year, a Spirited After Hours party will be held from 10:00 P.M. – 12:00 A.M. to celebrate and toast this year’s winners. Purchase of Spirited Awards® tickets includes
access to Spirited After Hours. For those interested in exclusively attending the Spirited After Hours party, tickets can be purchased separately online. Tickets are now on sale.

The Title Sponsor of the 13th Annual Spirited Awards® is BACARDÍ USA. Presenting
Sponsors are Beam Suntory, Montenegro Americas, Pernod Ricard USA, and William Grant & Sons. Supporting Sponsors are Brown Forman, Heaven Hill, Maison Ferrand, Perrier, TABASCO® Brand, The House of Angostura, and Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

G.H. Mumm is the Official Champagne Partner of the 2019 Spirited Awards®. Perrier is the Official Mineral Water Partner of Tales of the Cocktail 2019. Q Mixers is the Official Mixer of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. Aardvark Paper Straws is the year long Paper Straw Sponsor for Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. Riedel generously donated the trophies for the Spirited Awards®.

Please see below for the complete Top Four finalists in each category listed in alphabetical order.

AMERICAN CATEGORIES

American Bartender of the Year presented by Amaro Montenegro

Julio Cabrera – Cafe La Trova, Miami, FL
Kevin Diedrich – Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco, CA
Masa Urushido – Katana Kitten, New York City, NY
Jillian Vose – The Dead Rabbit, New York City, NY

Best American Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Megan Breier, Beam Suntory
Kiowa Bryan, Spiribam Fine R(h)um Specialists
Tim Cooper, Fords Gin
Trevor Schneider, Reyka Vodka

Best American Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons

Clover Club – Brooklyn, NY
Herbs and Rye – Las Vegas, NV
Lost Lake – Chicago, IL
Nickel City – Austin, TX

Best American Cocktail Bar presented by Select Aperitivo

Amor Y Amargo – New York, NY
Attaboy – New York, NY
Drink – Boston, MA
Trick Dog – San Francisco, CA

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar presented by Grey Goose Vodka

Half Step – Austin, TX
Herbs and Rye – Las Vegas, NV
Nickel City – Austin, TX
The Dead Rabbit – New York, NY

Best American Hotel Bar presented by Altos Tequila

Broken Shaker at Freehand LA – Los Angeles, CA
Compére Lapin at The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery – New Orleans, LA
Libertine Social at Mandalay Bay – Las Vegas, NV
Midnight Rambler at the Joule – Dallas, TX

Best American Restaurant Bar presented by Woodford Reserve

Better Luck Tomorrow – Houston, TX
Dante – New York, NY
Gramercy Tavern – New York, NY
The Silver Dollar – Louisville, KY

Best New American Cocktail Bar presented by Elijah Craig Bourbon

Cafe La Trova – Miami, FL
Death & Co. – Denver, CO
Existing Conditions – New York, NY
Katana Kitten – New York, NY

For a full list of international, global, writing, and special award nominees, visit TalesoftheCocktail.org.