Tales of the Cocktail 2012: Spirited Awards Winners

Joaquin Simo - American Bartender of the Year

Here is the full list of winners of the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards for 2012. This year the United Kingdom dominated with wins in the following prestigious categories: World's Best Cocktail Bar, World's Best Drinks Selection, World's Best New Cocktail Bar, World's Best Cocktail Menu, International Brand Ambassador of the Year, and International Bartender of the Year.

Spirited Awards Winners 2012

Best High Volume Cocktail Bar - Eastern Standard, Boston

Best Restaurant Bar - Slanted Door, San Francisco

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar - The Zetter Townhouse, London

World’s Best Hotel Bar - Artesian at The Langham Hotel, London

Best Cocktail Writing - David Wondrich

Best Cocktail Writing (Non-Book) - Liquor.com

Best New Product - Cognac Pierre Ferrand 1840 Formula

Best American Brand Ambassador - Jim Ryan, Hendricks Gin

World’s Best Drinks Selection - Salvatore's at The Playboy Club, London

American Bartender of the Year - Joaquin Simo, Death & Co., New York

Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book - PDT Cocktail Book, Jim Meehan

World’s Best Cocktail Menu - Callooh Callay, London

International Bartender of the Year - Alex Kratena, Artesian at The Langham, London

Best International Brand Ambassador - Angus Winchester, Tanqueray Gin

 

Best American Cocktail Bar - The Varnish, Los Angeles

World’s Best Cocktail Bar - The Connaught Bar, London

Best Bar Mentor - Steve Olson (aka wine geek)

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award - Gary "Gaz" Regan

A full recap of this lounger's Tales of the Cocktail 2012 adventures will be forthcoming on Umami Mart.com.

Tales of the Cocktail 2012 Update: Spirited Awards Nominations

The long awaited nominations are finally out for the 6^th Annual Spirited Awards which will be handed out at during July’s cocktail lovers festival, Tales of the Cocktail, in New Orleans. Below is a press release from the Tales team. We also added the Loungerati predictions and our crew will be in attendance for the presentation of awards. 

 

 “Following a rigorous evaluation of hundreds of nominees, ten finalists for each award category have been chosen for the 6th Annual Spirited Awards®, recognizing the year’s best bars, bartenders, writers, experts and more. American and international judging committees comprised of the most respected minds in the cocktail industry selected the finalists for the 17 award categories. Winners will be announced Saturday July 28 at the Spirited Awards® ceremony being held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, as part of the Tales of the Cocktail® 10th anniversary celebration.

“The Spirited Awards® ceremony is the night when the cocktail industry can step out from behind the bar to receive the recognition it deserves,” said Ann Tuennerman, Founder of Tales of the Cocktail®.

Through its annual Spirited Awards®, Tales of the Cocktail® recognizes the bartenders, bars, writers and cocktail experts that continue to push the cocktail industry into new, exciting directions. To embody the ideals with which Tales of the Cocktail® was originally founded, these awards were developed to recognize both national and international honorees across 17 categories. From these top ten, the top four finalists from each category will be invited to attend the award ceremony on July 28, 2012. These top four finalists will be announced June 22, 2012. Each award recipient will receive an exclusive Riedel Crystal trophy.”

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

Loungerati prediction: Ivy Mix for her talented drink making and 'above and beyond' work on Speed Rack, a competition by female bartenders against breast cancer.

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 

Loungerati prediction: Real tough one here between Todd Richman and Jim Ryan. We need to see the sales figures but our bet is on the ubiquitous Todd Richman whose territory for Sidney Frank seems to be EVERYWHERE!

Best American Cocktail Bar

• Anvil Bar & Refuge – Houston, Texas
• Bourbon & Branch – San Francisco, California
• The Drawing Room – Chicago, Illinois
• Dutch Kills – Queens, 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

Loungerati prediction: Anvil Bar & Refuge. This year maybe the year when the honors go to a non-coastal city bar. If it does, Anvil is the logical choice.

Best Bar Mentor

• Bridget Albert
• Sven Almenning
• Julio Bermejo
• Wayne Collins
• Francesco Lafranconi
• Chris McMillan
• Steve Olson
• Julie Reiner
• Thad Vogler
• Dushan Zaric

Loungerati prediction: So many inspiring bar mentors on the list but only one can win. We believe Julie Reiner (Clover Club, Flatiron Lounge, Lani Kai, Pegu Club) will take the honors - she is certainly due.

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

Loungerati prediction: Jackson Cannon’s Boston crew from Eastern Standard will take this one.

 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

Loungerati prediction: Will this be another year when a blogger wins best cocktail writing? Well sort of, Robert Simonson who writes for the NY Times and "Make it Simple but Significant" blog will sneak by the favorites like “I’ll Have Another” at PIMLICO.

Best Cocktail Writing – Non Book

• Barchick.com
• Barlife UK
• Find. Eat. Drink.
• Food Republic
• Liquor.com
• Mutineer Magazine
• Saveur
• Shakestir.com
• Tasting Panel
• Time Out NY

Loungerati prediction: Shameless NYC support - If there was a standard bearer for the return of craft cocktails in the print media it would be Jordana Rothman bar/lounge editor of 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

Loungerati prediction: If anyone is due it is Angus Winchester of Tanqueray. The Tonight We Tanqueray campaign has thrown some of the best parties of the year and kept the brand on everyone’s radar.

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 S*x, Salvation and the Pursuit of the Never Ending Happy Hour
• The Mixellany Guide to Vermouth & Other Apertifs
• PDT Cocktail Book

Loungerati prediction: We would love nothing better than to have Gaz Regan’s Annual Manual for Bartenders 2011 win since one of Fredo’s cocktails is included in the 101 Best; however, the tide is with Jim Meehan's must have 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

Loungerati prediction: What a year for great new bar products. From the iconic Standard Issue Ice Mallet for Steve Schneider to Lillet Rose and Tomr’s Tonic Syrup. Our bet is on Lady Lillet Amanda Boccato and her delightful rose.

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

Loungerati prediction: The Beagle puts the cocktail in the forefront; it will be regaled on award night.

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

Loungerati prediction: Chances are Dushan Zaric (Employees Only, Macao Trading Co) will pick up where his bar left off last year and take the prize. But Michael Madrusan from Everleigh could be the surprise of the night.

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

• 69 Colebrooke 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 

Loungerati prediction: Last year Sydney, Australia stepped up with Eau de Vie, this year the honor will pass to London’s 69 Colebrooke Row.

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

Loungerati prediction:  Clover Club, which continues to take nominations across all categories for good reason.

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

Loungerati prediction: I just think it would be fantastic if Daddy-O won this award. Phil has turned Steve Crane’s industry favorite into a true egalitarian bar that can satisfy NYU students to cocktail connoisseurs.

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

Loungerati prediction: We love what Meghan Dorman and Theo Lieberman have done with Lantern’s Keep at the Iroquois Hotel.

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

Loungerati prediction: Maison Premiere is not only our choice but yours as well. I mean oysters and absinthe, it is almost unfair to the others.

Tickets to the Spirited Awards® ceremony can now be purchased online at TalesoftheCocktail.com for $65.00 for individuals or $650.00 per table of 10 seats. The Spirited Awards® are just one part of the historic 10th Anniversary Tales of the Cocktail® being held in New Orleans July 25-29, 2012. Visit the Tales of the Cocktail® website to learn more about the week’s spirited schedule of events.

Tales of the Cocktail 2011: Spirited Award Nominees

 New Orleans - The Fifth Annual Spirited Awards™ nominees for 2011 have been announced. The winners will be crowned  at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award Ceremony and Dinner on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans. Tables can be purchased online at www.TalesoftheCocktail.com

We have added our Votes (*) and predictions (W - Winners). A wrap up of the awards after TOTC.

American Bartender of the Year

Eric Alperin, The Varnish

Kenta Goto, Pegu Club

Misty Kalkofen, Drink

Sam Ross, Milk & Honey

Joaquin Simo, Death & Co. * (W)

Best American Brand Ambassador

Colin Asare-Appiah, U'luvka Vodka

Jacques Bezuidenhout, Partida Tequila

Jamie Gordon, Absolut Vodka (W)

Jim Ryan, Hendrick's Gin*

Best American Cocktail Bar

Clover Club, Brooklyn

Drink, Boston

Employees Only, New York * (W)

The Varnish, Los Angeles

World’s Best Hotel Bar

Artesian at The Langham, London*

Clive's Classic Lounge at Chateau Victoria Hotel, Victoria

Clyde Common at The Ace Hotel, Portland

The Savoy, London, England (W)

Best Cocktail Writing

Toby Cecchini, New York(W)

Camper English, San Francisco*

Darcy O'Neil, London, Ontario

Naren Young, New York

Best New Product

Bank's Five Island Rum

Cocchi Americano

Smith & Cross Rum* (W)

Tequila Calle 23

World’s Best Drinks Selection

Artesian at The Langham, London*

Cure, New Orleans

Eau de Vie, Sydney

Employees Only, New York(W)

Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book

Fix the Pumps by Darcy O'Neill

Left Coast Libations by Ted Munat & Michael Lazar

Punch by David Wondrich

Speakeasy by Dushan Zaric and Jay Kosmas*(W)

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

Artesian at The Langham, London*

Eau de Vie, Sydney

Mayahuel, New York (W)

Sanctuaria, St. Louis

International Bartender of the Year

Erik Lorincz, American Bar at Savoy Hotel, London(W)

Dre Masso, Green & Red - London

Sam Ross, Milk & Honey*

Dushan Zaric, Employees Only

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar

1534, New York

Dram, New York

Eau de Vie, Sydney

PKNY (ex Painkiller), New York* (W)

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

69 Colebrooke Row, London(W)

Dry Martini, Barcelona

Employees Only, New York*

High Five, Tokyo

Best International Brand Ambassador

Ian Burrell

Claire Smith, Belvedere Vodka

Dan Warner, Beefeater Gin (W)

Angus Winchester, Tanqueray Gin*

Best Bar Mentor

Wayne Collins, London

Steve Olson, New York

Audrey Saunders, New York (W)

Dushan Zaric, New York*

New Categories added in 2011:

Best High Volume Cocktail Bar

Eastern Standard, Boston

Flatiron Lounge, New York*

Florida Room, Miami

Rickhouse, San Francisco (W)

Best Cocktail Writing - Non Book

BarlifeUK.com

Imbibe USA*

Liquor.com (W)

Tasting Panel Magazine

Best Restaurant Bar

The Drawing Room, Chicago(W)

Eleven Madison Park, New York*

Hawksmoor Seven Dials, London

Hix, London

(source: Tales of the Cocktail Newsletter)

Tales of the Cocktail 2010: Spirited Awards Winners

Death & Company - Best American Cocktail Bar 2010

Roosevelt Hotel, New Orleans - Saturday July 24th - I am happy to report the winners of the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards 2010- many of whom were definitely due.  Once again, New York City took the lion's share of prestigious awards including Best American Cocktail Bar, World's Best New Cocktail Bar, and World's Best Cocktail menu.

Spirited Awards Winners 2010

Best American Cocktail Bar

• The Clover Club, Brooklyn
• Death & Company, New York City - Winner
• Rickhouse, San Francisco
• The Varnish, Los Angeles

World’s Best Hotel Bar

• Artesian Bar at The Langham, London
• The Bar at The Connaught Hotel, London - Winner
• The Florida Room at The Delano, South Beach, Florida
• The Bar Hemingway at The Ritz, Paris

Best Cocktail Writing

• CLASS magazine - Winner
• Gary Regan
• Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller
• Naren Young

Best New Product

• Celery Bitters, The Bitter Truth - Winner
• Cocktail Kingdom’s barware
• Crème Yvette by Cooper Spirits
• Meehan Cocktail Bag by Jim Meehan

Best American Brand Ambassador

• Charlotte Voisey, Hendrick’s Gin - Winner
• Jacques Bezuidenhout, Partida Tequila
• Jamie Gordon, Absolut Vodka
• Tal Nadari, Bols Genever

World’s Best Drinks Selection

• Artesian Bar at The Langham Hotel, London
• Bar Lebensstern in Café Einstein, Berlin - Winner
• Macao Trading Co, New York City
• The Widder Bar, Zurich

Murray Stenson of Zig Zag Cafe, Seattle

American Bartender of the Year

• Eric Alperin, The Varnish
• Kenta Goto, Pegu Club
• Murray Stenson, Zig Zag Café - Winner
• Sam Ross, Milk & Honey

Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book

• Beachbum Berry Remixed
• Gin Compendium by Gary "Gaz" Regan
• MudPuddle Books by Greg Boehm
• Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails by Ted Haigh - Winner

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• Death & Company, New York City - Winner
  
• The Lonsdale, London
• Mayahuel, New York City
• Rickhouse, San Francisco

International Bartender of the Year

• Agostino Perrone, The Connaught Hotel, London - Winner
• Brian Miller, formerly of  Death & Company, New York City
• Salvatore "The Maestro" Calabrese, formerly Fifty, London
• Sam Ross, Milk &Honey, New York City

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar

Mayahuel, World's Best New Cocktail Bar 2010

• Cure, New Orleans
• Dutch Kills, Queens
• Mayahuel, New York City - Winner
  
• Rickhouse , San Francisco

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

• 69 Colebrooke Row, London
• The Bar at The Merchant Hotel, Belfast - Winner
• Death & Company, New York City
• Quo Vadis, London

Best International Brand Ambassador

• Angus Winchester, Tanqueray Gin
• Dan Warner, Beefeater Gin
• Jacob Briars, 42 Below Vodka
• John Gakuru, Sagatiba Pura Cachaça - Winner
  

Best Bar Mentor

• Dale "King Cocktail" DeGroff - Winner
• Robert Hess
• Sasha Petraske
• Tony Abou-Ganim

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award

• Brian Rea - Winner
  
• Gary Regan
• Murray Stenson
• Tony Abou-Ganim

(Photo credit: D&C -NY Eater, Murray Stenson, NY Times, and Mayahuel, The Gothamist)

Tales of the Cocktail 2010: Spirited Awards Nominees

The Spirited Awards nominees for 2010 have been announced. The winners will be crowned  at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award Ceremony and Dinner on Saturday, July 24, 2010 in New Orleans. Tables can be purchased online at www.TalesoftheCocktail.com

We have added our Votes (*) and predictions (W - Winners). A wrap up of the awards after TOTC.

Best American Cocktail Bar
The Clover Club, Brooklyn *
Death & Co, NYC
Rickhouse, San Francisco
The Varnish, Los Angeles (W)

World’s Best Hotel Bar
The Artesian at the Langham, London*
The Bar at The Connaught Hotel, London
Florida Room at The Delano, Florida (W)
Hemingway Bar, Paris

Best Cocktail Writing
CLASS magazine
Gary Regan* (W)
Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller
Naren Young

Best New Product
Celery Bitters, The Bitter Truth
Cocktail Kingdom’s barware* (W)
Crème Yvette by Cooper Spirits
Meehan Cocktail Bag by Jim Meehan

Best American Brand Ambassador
Charlotte Voisey, William Grant Portfolio
Jacques Bezuidenhout, Partida Tequila
Jamie Gordon, Absolut (W)
Tal Nadari, Bols*

World’s Best Drinks Selection
Artesian Bar at The Langham Hotel, London* (W)
Bar Lebensstern in Café Einstein, Berlin
Macao Trading Co, NYC
Widder Bar, Zurich

American Bartender of the Year
Eric Alperin, The Varnish (W)
Kenta Goto, The Pegu Club
Murray Stenson, Zig Zag
Sam Ross, Milk & Honey*

Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book
Beachbum Berry Remixed (W)
Gin Compedndium by Gaz Regan
MudPuddle Books by Greg Boehm*
Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails by Ted Haigh

World’s Best Cocktail Menu
Death & Co, NYC*
Lonsdale, London
Mayahuel, NYC
Rickhouse, San Francisco (W)

International Bartender of the Year
Agostino Perrone, The Connaught Hotel, London
Brian Miller, Death & Co, NYC (W)
Salvatore Calabrese, London
Sam Ross, Milk & Honey, NYC*

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar
Cure, New Orleans
Dutch Kills, Queens*
Mayahuel, NYC (W)
Rickhouse, San Francisco

World’s Best Cocktail Bar
69 Colebrooke Row, London (W)
The Cocktail Bar at The Merchant Hotel, Belfast
Death & Co, NYC*
Quo Vadis, London

Best International Brand Ambassador
Angus Winchester, Tanqueray*
Dan Warner, Beefeater (W)
Jacob Briars, 42 Below
John Gakuru, Sagatiba

Best Bar Mentor
Dale DeGroff
Robert Hess
Sasha Petraske* (W)
Tony Abou-Ganim

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award
Brian Rea
Gary Regan
Murray Stenson* (W)
Tony Abou-Ganim

(source:  Ann Tuennerman of Tales of the Cocktail)