By Deb Jackson, Editor National Liquor News and Beer & Brewer
The third annual Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition will extend its international reach this year, allowing even more of the world’s best bartenders to “create a cocktail worthy of a perfectionist”.
Bartenders from Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, China, The UAE, Israel, Mexico, Canada and the UK are invited to compete to become the 2017 Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition champion.
Three regional heats will take place in Australia between 4-11 September. Bartenders can register for entry from now, closing 21 July. All regional winners will then compete at the Australian finals in Melbourne on 14 October.
The Australian winner will head to Mexico for the semi-finals on 17 January 2018 and if successful will go through to the global final on Thursday 18 January 2018.
Last year’s Australian winner, Nick Cozens from Eau de Vie (pictured above) said the Patrón Perfectionists competition was a once in a lifetime experience.
“From the day we arrived in beautiful Sydney for the national final to the global finals in Mexico where we visited some of the best bars and restaurants on the planet. Not to mention the Hacienda Patrón and how I was completely eclipsed by the three days spent there, the friends I made on the trip and experiences I had will last a lifetime,” he said.
Mike McGinty, from the Voyage of Buck in the United Kingdom (pictured above, centre) was the 2016 winner, taking out the competition with his unique cocktail creation The Bell of Jalisco.
Lee Applbaum, Chief Marketing Officer, Patrón Spirits International said: “We are proud to see the competition return on this scale, bringing new, up-and-coming talent to the bar with fresh ideas on what it takes to be a Patrón Perfectionist.
“The bartender community is a global community, brought together by a common pursuit for pure excellence in crafting drinks and delivering an experience for their guests. This year, as ever, the bar is raised and we are excited to discover mixologists who experiment with the flavour profiles and versatility of Patrón Tequila and who understand and share our values.”
Prospective entrants should head to the Patrón Perfectionists website.
