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American Bar nabs top accolade at Spirited Awards

The American Bar at The Savoy hotel in London has scooped the title of World’s Best Bar at Tales of the Cocktail’s 12th annual Spirited Awards.

The American Bar at The Savoy has been named World’s Best Cocktail Bar

The Spirited Award winners were announced on Saturday (21 July) at the Orpheum Theatre in New Orleans during the Tales of the Cocktail festival.

“As someone who has been on the other side of the Spirited Awards and has been nominated over the course of many years, I know how significant it is for an owner, operator, bartender or spirits professional to be recognised by his or her peers,” said Neal Bodenheimer, co-chair of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation.

“Congratulations to this year’s winners who represent a global group of talent setting the bar incredibly high for our industry.”

The awards were divided into American, International, Writing and Global categories.

The World’s Best Bar was named after combining the gross votes for both American and international finalists.

The American Bar takes home the top accolade after months of deliberation between the judges. Known for its classic style of bartending, the American Bar is said to be the longest serving cocktail bar in London.

Head bartender, Erik Lorincz (pictured above), announced his departure in April this year. He will be succeeded by Maxim Schulte, who will become the 11th head bartender in the venue’s 125-year history.

Other top accolades went to Joe Schofield of the Tippling Club in Singapore, who was named International Bartender of the Year, and the late John Lermayer, who was posthumously given the Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award.

London dominated the International categories, securing the titles of Best International Bar Team, Best International Cocktail Bar, Best International Hotel Bar, Best International Restaurant Bar and Best New International Cocktail Bar.

“Very special congratulations to all of the winners of the 2018 Spirited Awards,” said Charlotte Voisey, director of brand advocacy for William Grant & Sons and chairperson of the Spirited Awards.

“We celebrate your success but are also grateful for the excellence and inspiration you generate to the industry through your bars, teams, people, products, books, broadcasts and journalism.”

Click through the following pages to view the full list of winners.

American categories

Chicago’s Lost Lake has been named Best American Cocktail Bar

Best American Bar Team
Presented by William Grant & Sons
Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co., Miami, FL

American Bartender of the Year
Presented by Bacardi USA
Yael Vengroff, The Spare Room, Los Angeles, CA

Best American Brand Ambassador
Presented by VinePair
Anne Louise Marquis, Campari America

Best American Cocktail Bar
Presented by Pernod Ricard USA
Lost Lake, Chicago, IL

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar
Presented by William Grant & Sons
The NoMad Bar, New York City, NY

Best American Hotel Bar
Presented by Bacardi USA
The Broken Shaker Miami at The Freehand, Miami, FL

Best American Restaurant Bar
Presented by Woodford Reserve
Clyde Common, Portland, OR

Best New American Cocktail Bar
Presented by Pierre Ferrand Cognac
Navy Strength, Seattle, WA

 

International categories

Joe Schofield, International Bartender of the Year

Best International Bar Team
Presented by The House of Angostura
The American Bar, The Savoy, London

International Bartender of the Year
Presented by Bacardi USA
Joe Schofield, Tippling Club, Singapore

Best International Brand Ambassador
Presented by G.H. Mumm
Ian Burrell, global rum ambassador

Best International Cocktail Bar
Presented by Pernod Ricard USA
Happiness Forgets, London

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar
Presented by Rutte
The Clumsies, Athens

Best International Hotel Bar
Presented by Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association
The American Bar, The Savoy, London

Best International Restaurant Bar 
Presented by Mandarine Napoléon
Sager & Wilde, London

Best New International Cocktail Bar
Presented by Pierre Ferrand Cognac
Coupette, London

Writing categories

Jim Meehan’s new book: Meehan’s Bartender Manual

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
Presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
The Daily Beast, Half Full Section

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer
Presented by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
M. Carrie Allan, The Washington Post, Imbibe, and more

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book
Presented by Gra’it Grappa
Meehan’s Bartender Manual by Jim Meehan

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History or Spirits
Presented by Cocktail Kingdom
By the Smoke and the Smell by Thad Vogler

Best Broadcast, Podcast or Online Video Series
Presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Life Behind Bars

Global categories

Behind Closed Doors, cocktail from the American Bar’s new menu

Best Bar Mentor
Presented by BarSmarts
Andy Seymour, Liquid Productions

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient 
Presented by Maverick Drinks
Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Jabali

World’s Best Cocktail Menu
Presented by Peroni
Dandelyan, London

World’s Best Spirit Selection
Presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co., Miami, FL 

World’s Best Bar
Presented by Italicus
The American Bar at The Savoy, London

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award 
Presented by William Grant & Sons
John Lermayer

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