Diageo Reserve World Class selects final six

The final 54 bartenders competing in the Diageo Reserve World Class 2015 global final have been whittled down to six frontrunners, from Australia, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Greece, Israel and Japan.

Diageo Reserve World Class 2015 has chosen its six finalists, including Alistair Reynolds of Hawksmoor in Great Britain

An esteemed panel of judges selected Jack Scotti, of Boilermaker House in Australia; Viteslav Cirok, of L’Fleur Bar in the Czech Republic; Alistair Reynolds, of Hawksmoor in Great Britain; Manolis Lykiardopoulos, of Theory Bar and More in Greece; Ariel Leizgold, of Bellboy in Israel; and Michito Kaneko, of Lamp Bar in Japan, as the top talents this year.

Spike Marchant, judge and World Class global brand ambassador, said: “The talent on display this year has surpassed our already high expectations.

“It was almost impossible to predict who the top six would be because of the level of skill was consistent across all competitors – exceptionally high.

“But what else would you expect when you have the best bartenders in the world under one roof? It was the toughest competition we’ve ever had the honour to judge.”

This year’s set of challenges pushed bartenders to demonstrate different techniques, styles and philosophies, with Kaneko singled out for his “technical excellence, warmth, personality and creativity”.

Leizgold was also commended for his “pizzazz and showstopper serves”.

“Obviously I am thrilled and [at] a total loss for words to be in the top six,” said Leizgold. “I’ve put everything into this competition.

“When I have a goal in mind, I just envision what I have to do and I give it my all. I don’t like to anything half way.”

Diageo Reserve recently partnered with luxury resort group One&Only, and as a result each of the six finalists will have the chance to spend time at One&Only’s resorts around the world where they will create original menus and signature cocktails for consumers.

In addition, the final six will receive a Tanqueray Champion Shaker – the smaller, bar-mounted version of Jason Crawley’s 1.5m Imperial Shaker.

They will face the final challenge on Thursday (today, 3 September) in the Cape Town Shakedown, which will see each person create a pop-up bar representing their personal vision of “the world’s best bar”.

The 2015 champion will be named on Friday at a lavish ceremony that will take place at Cape Town City Hall.

Last year’s Diageo Reserve World Class winner was Charles Joly, formerly of The Aviary in Chicago.