It’s almost time for the long flight to NOLA, as Tales of the Cocktail is looming large on the bar industry event calendar…
And celebrating its 10th birthday, Tales 2012 is likely to be the biggest so far.
A large part of the Tales experience is the Spirited Awards, which celebrates excellence in a number of categories, both domestic to the USA, and internationally.
The UK has done very well in past years, and if the nomination shortlists are anything to go by, could well do so again this year.
In a slight change to previous years, a list of 10 finalists has been announced for each category. This list of 10 will be whittled down to a final 3, which will be announced on Thursday 7th June. You can read about the Spirited Awards judging criteria and procedures here.
Congratulations to everyone who has been nominated, but we most of course offer a particular slap on the back to our UK friends who join BarLifeUK on the list for 2012. We’ll see you in New Orleans…
The nominations
International Bartender of the Year
- Massimo Greco
- Misty Kalkofen
- Zdenek Kastanek
- Alex Kratena
- Max Larocca
- Sam Ross
- Michael Madrusan
- Shawn Soole
- Phil Ward
- Dushan Zaric
World’s Best Cocktail Bar
- 69 Colebrook Row – London, United Kingdom
- Black Pearl –Melbourne, Australia
- Callooh Callay – London, United Kingdom
- Clover Club – New York, New York
- The Connaught Bar – London, United Kingdom
- Drink – Boston, Massachusetts
- Eau de Vie – Sydney, Australia
- Mayahuel – Manhattan, New York
- Nightjar – London, United Kingdom
- The Varnish – Los Angeles, California
World’s Best Cocktail Menu
- Aviary – Chicago, Illinois
- Bar le Forvm –Paris, France
- Black Pearl – Melbourne, Australia
- Callooh Callay – London, United Kingdom
- Clover Club – New York, New York
- Mayahuel – Manhattan, New York
- Raines Law Room – Manhattan, New York
- The Roosevelt – Sydney, Australia
- Sable – Chicago, Illinois
- Whistling Shop – London, United Kingdom
World’s Best Drinks Selection
- Artesian at The Langham – London, United Kingdom
- Canon – Seattle, Washington
- Capri Lounge – Cologne, Germany
- Daddy-O – New York, New York
- Death & Co. – Manhattan, New York
- Eau de Vie – Sydney, Australia
- Sable – Chicago, Illinois
- Salvatore’s at The Playboy – London, United Kingdom
- Sanctuaria – St. Louis, Missouri
- Widder Bar – Zurich, Switzerland
World’s Best Hotel Bar
- Artesian at The Langham – London, United Kingdom
- Clive’s Classic Lounge – Victoria, British Columbia
- Clyde Common – Portland, Oregon
- The Connaught – London, United Kingdom
- Lantern’s Keep at The Iroquois Hotel – New York, New York
- Roomer’s Bar – Frankfurt, Germany
- Sable Kitchen and Bar at Hotel Palomar – Chicago, Illinois
- The Spare Room at The Roosevelt – Los Angeles, California
- Vesper Bar at The Cosmopolitan – Las Vegas, Nevada
- The Zetter Townhouse – London, United Kingdom
World’s Best New Cocktail Bar
- Aviary – Chicago, Illinois
- Candelaria – Paris, France
- Canon – Seattle, Washington
- The Everleigh – Melbourne, Australia
- Happiness Forgets – London, United Kingdom
- Harvard & Stone – Los Angeles, California
- Maison Premiere – Brooklyn, New York
- Mother’s Ruin – New York, New York
- Whistling Shop – London, United Kingdom
- The Zetter Townhouse – London, United Kingdom
Best Cocktail Writing – Non Book
- Barchick.com
- BarLifeUK
- Find. Eat. Drink.
- Food Republic
- Liquor.com
- Mutineer Magazine
- Saveur
- Shakestir.com
- Tasting Panel
- Time Out NY
Best International Brand Ambassador
- Colin Asare Appiah
- Jacob Briars
- Ian Burrell
- Tal Nadari
- Matt Pomeroy
- Jamie Terrell
- Manuel Terron
- Claire Smith
- Angus Winchester
- Brian Van Flandern
Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book
- The American Cocktail by the Editors of Imbibe
- Beta Cocktails
- Bitters: A Spirited History of a Classic Cure-All
- Gaz Regan’s Annual Manual for Bartenders 2011
- Home Bar Basics
- Living Loaded: Tales of Sex, Salvation and the Pursuit of the Never Ending Happy Hour
- The Mixellany Guide to Vermouth & Other Apertifs
- PDT Cocktail Book
Best New Product
- Bombay Sapphire East
- Chairman’s Reserve Spiced Rum
- Cocktail Kingdom’s Blue Blazer Mugs
- Cognac Pierre Ferrand 1840 Formula
- Fee Brother’s Gin Barrel Aged Orange Bitters
- Lillet Rose
- Perlini System
- Redemption Rye
- Steve Schneider’s Standard Issue Ice Mallet
- Tomr’s Tonic Syrup
American Bartender of the Year
- Eric Alperin
- Jamie Boudreau
- Derek Brown
- Marcovaldo Dionysos
- Charles Joly
- Vincenzo Marianella
- Ivy Mix
- Jeffrey Morganthaler
- Joaquin Simo
- Naren Young
Best American Brand Ambassador
- Erick Castro
- Elayne Duke
- Jamie Gordon
- Guillaume Lamy
- Gaston Martinez
- Jackie Patterson
- Todd Richman
- Jim Ryan
- Nick Van Tiel
- Neyah White
Best American Cocktail Bar
- Anvil Bar & Refuge – Houston, Texas
- Bourbon & Branch – San Francisco, California
- The Drawing Room – Chicago, Illinois
- Dutch Kills – Long Island, New York
- Clover Club – Brooklyn, New York
- Columbia Room – Washington, District of Columbia
- Harvard & Stone – Los Angeles, California
- La Descarga – Los Angeles, California
- Mayahuel – Manhattan, New York
- The Varnish – Los Angeles, California
Best Bar Mentor
- Bridget Albert
- Sven Almenning
- Julio Bermejo
- Wayne Collins
- Francesco Lafranconi
- Chris McMillan
- Steve Olson
- Julie Reiner
- Thad Vogler
- Dushan Zaric
Best High Volume Cocktail Bar
- Beretta – San Francisco, California
- Clover Club – New York, New York
- Craft & Commerce – San Diego, California
- Eastern Standard – Boston, Massachusetts
- Flatiron Lounge – New York, New York
- La Descarga – Los Angeles, California
- Macao Trading Co. – New York, New York
- Sable Kitchen & Bar – Chicago, Illinois
- Seven Grand – Los Angeles, California
- The Tippler – New York, New York
Best Cocktail Writing – Author
- Jenny Adams
- Jarden Brown & Anastatia Miller
- Paul Clarke
- Wayne Curtis
- Dan Dunn
- Gary Regan
- Robert Simonson
- Jason Wilson
- Dave Wondrich
- Naren Young
Best Restaurant Bar
- Bar Agricole – San Francisco, California
- The Beagle – New York, New York
- Beaker & Flask – Portland, Oregon
- Heaven’s Dog – San Francisco, California
- Lani Kai – New York, New York
- No. 9 Park – Boston, Massachusetts
- Rivera – Los Angeles, California
- Sable – Chicago, Illinois
- Saxon + Parole – New York, New York
- Slanted Door – San Francisco, California