Tales of the Cocktail has revealed the shortlist for its 14th annual Spirited Awards, with The Spirits Business named one of the top four finalists for Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication.

Swift in London’s Soho is one of the top four nominees for Best International Cocktail Bar

In May, Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC) revealed the top 10 nominees for each category in its Spirited Awards 2020. However, some of these nominees will no longer be up for the award they were nominated for.

This year there were a number of changes to the format of the Spirited Awards, including an update to its policy on repeat winners to ensure others have the opportunity to be recognised for their work.

The decision came following the announcement of the top 10 and will see a number of nominees now ineligible for the top four list.

In addition, previous winners in the World’s Best Bar category are no longer in the running to win another Spirited Award, except for the Timeless or Philanthropy Awards.

Tales of the Cocktail said the move will affect a handful of top 10 nominees, with the judges recasting their votes in the categories to select a new top four.

The decision was taken to ensure the Spirited Awards process is “more transparent, equitable and fair” and additional changes will be announced in the coming months to the submission and judging process to guarantee they are “more inclusive and accessible for all”.

The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has also expanded the Best Bar Mentor category to include additional nominees. The Best Bar Mentor Award will be awarded to two people for the first time with one representing international and the other in the American category.

Furthermore, the Pioneer Award, which sits within the Dame Hall of Fame programme, will now be included in the Spirited Awards. The Philanthropy Award will now be used as a platform to highlight the work being done by individuals and companies amid the coronavirus pandemic.

‘Very difficult decision’

The Spirits Business was one of four nominees in the Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication category

“For many months now, we debated whether an awards ceremony is what the world needs right now,” said Caroline Rosen, president of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation.

“Ultimately, we decided yes, we do need to continue to celebrate the resilience of our peers. Doubling down on philanthropic recognition and introducing categories that more accurately depict the range of voices contributing to the progress of our industry in meaningful ways – these are just a few of many steps forward we’re looking to make as an organisation.

“Changing policies mid-awards cycle and recasting votes was a very difficult decision that we do not take lightly, but our hope is that it will create a more equitable and fair structure for all nominees.”

The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is planning to host this year’s festival from 21 to 24 September in a digital format for the first time due to Covid-19. The Spirited Awards ceremony will be held on 24 September, beginning with a pre-show at 3pm CST, followed by the awards presentation at 4pm CST.

The Spirited Awards will leverage social media and digital platforms to highlight changes to the event and insight into the judging process. The winner announcements will be spread out over the course of the online festival.

The awards will be rolled out in two phases, including the announcement of specific category winners on TOTC’s website on 21 September, followed by a pre-recorded online ceremony for select categories on 24 September.

The following accolades will be announced on 24 September during the digital Spirited Awards ceremony: Helen David Lifetime Achievement, presented by William Grant & Sons; Philanthropy, presented by Santa Teresa 1796 Rum; World’s Best Bar, presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation; and the Pioneer Award, presented by Diageo Bar Academy.

Click through to the following pages to see the Spirited Awards 2020 top four finalists in alphabetical order.

American categories

San Francisco’s Pacific Cocktail Haven

Best American Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons (Winner announced on 21 September)

Café La Trova ­– Miami, FL

Jewel of the South – New Orleans, LA

Nickel City – Austin, TX

Pacific Cocktail Haven – San Francisco, CA

Best American Bar Mentor presented by Bar Smarts (Winner announced at the Spirited Awards Ceremony on 24 September)

Bridget Albert

Alex Day

Lynn House

Don Lee

American Bartender of the Year presented by Pernod Ricard (Winner announced at the Spirited Awards Ceremony on 24 September)

Kevin Diedrich – Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco, CA

Mary Palac – Paper Plane, San Jose, CA

Masahiro Urushido – Katana Kitten, New York, NY

Christine Wiseman – Broken Shaker, Los Angeles, CA

Best American Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (Winner announced on 21 September)

Tad Carducci – Amaro Montenegro

Vance Henderson – Hendrick’s Gin

Robin Nance – Beam Suntory

Dominic Venegas – Pernod Ricard USA

Best American Cocktail Bar presented by Pernod Ricard (Winner announced on 21 September)

Best Intentions – Chicago, IL

Katana Kitten – New York, NY

Pacific Cocktail Haven – San Francisco, CA

Raised by Wolves – San Diego, CA

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy (Winner announced on 21 September)

ABV – San Francisco, CA

Anvil Bar & Refuge – Houston, TX

Café La Trova – Miami, FL

Nickel City ­– Austin, TX

Best American Hotel Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy (Winner announced on 21 September)

Death & Co at the Ramble Hotel – Denver, CO

Libertine Social at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino – Las Vegas, NV

Mr Coco at the Palms Casino Resort – Las Vegas, NV

The Spare Room at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel – Los Angeles, CA

Best American Restaurant Bar presented by Woodford Reserve (Winner announced on 21 September)

Cleaver – Las Vegas, NV

Jewel of the South ­– New Orleans, LA

Jimmy’s – Aspen, CO

The Silver Dollar – Louisville, KY

Best New American Cocktail Bar presented by Elijah Craig (Winner announced on 21 September)

Bar Goto Niban – Brooklyn, NY

Century Grand – Phoenix, AZ

Silver Lyan – Washington, DC

Thunderbolt – Los Angeles, CA

International categories

Sydney’s Maybe Sammy bar

Best International Bar Team presented by House of Angostura (Winner announced on 21 September)

La Factoría – San Juan, Puerto Rico

Maybe Sammy ­– Sydney, Australia

The Clumsies – Athens, Greece

The Connaught Bar – London, UK

Best International Bar Mentor presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (Winner announced at the Spirited Awards ceremony on 24 September)

Simone Caporale

Alex Kratena

Lauren Mote

Agostino Perrone

International Bartender of the Year presented by Martini & Rossi (Winner announced at the Spirited Awards Ceremony on 24 September)

Bannie Kang – Mu, Taipei, Taiwan

Kelsey Ramage –  Supernova Ballroom, Toronto, Canada

Rémy Savage – Le Syndicat, Paris, France

Kaitlyn Stewart – Royal Dinette, Vancouver, Canada

Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (Winner announced on 21 September)

Camille Austin – Casa Lumbre Spirits

Martin Hudák – Mr Black Spirits

Daniyel Jones – The House of Angostura

Dave Mitton – Lot No. 40 & JP Wiser’s Canadian Whisky

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Tequila Fortaleza (Winner announced on 21 September)

Floreria Atlántico — Buenos Aires, Argentina

Maybe Sammy – Sydney, Australia

Native – Singapore

Swift – London, UK

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar presented by Beam Suntory (Winner announced on 21 September)

La Factoría ­– San Juan, Puerto Rico

Licorería Limantour – Mexico City, Mexico

Panda & Sons – Edinburgh, Scotland

The Baxter Inn – Sydney, Australia

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (Winner announced on 21 September)

Fifty Mils at the Four Seasons Hotel – Mexico City, Mexico

Punch Room at The London Edition – London, UK

Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood Hotel – London, UK

The Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental – Bangkok, Thailand

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (Winner announced on 21 September)

Ámaz – Lima, Peru

Le Mary Celeste – Paris, France

Sexy Fish – London, UK

Sober Company – Shanghai, China

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Perrier (Winner announced on 21 September)

Byrdi – Melbourne, Australia

Kwānt – London, UK

Tayēr + Elementary – London, UK

Tres Monos – Buenos Aires, Argentina

Writing and media categories

The Nomad Cocktail Book is up for Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (Winner announced on 21 September)

Drink Magazine Asia

Half Full

The Spirits Business

Vine Pair

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (Winner announced on 21 September)

‘Mixopedia: under foot’ by Wayne Curtis for Imbibe

‘Janee: where is she now’ by Aaron Goldfarb for Punch

‘Can there be terroir in spirits?’ by Kara Newman for Wine Enthusiast

‘The case for drinking Scotch in tiki cocktails’ by Becky Paskin for The Daily Beast

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (Winner announced on 21 September)

Cocktails with a Twist by Kara Newman

The Nomad Cocktail Book by Leo Robitschek

The Martini Cocktail: A Meditation on the World’s Greatest Drink, with Recipes by Robert Simonson

Minimalist Tiki: A Cocktail Wonk Look at Classic Libations and the Modern Tiki Vanguard by Matt Pietrek and Carrie Smith

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History or Spirits presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (Winner announced on 21 September)

Drunk in China: Baijiu and the World’s Oldest Drinking Culture by Derek Sandhaus

Last Call: Bartenders on Their Final Drink and the Wisdom and Rituals of Closing Time by Brad Thomas Parsons

Understanding Spirits: Explaining Style and Quality by Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)

Spirits, Sugar, Water, Bitters: How the Cocktail Conquered the World by Derek Brown and Robert Yule

Best Broadcast, Podcast or Online Video Series presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (Winner announced on 21 September)

Difford’s Guide

Happy Hour History

The Speakeasy

Whisky Cast

Global categories

Paris-based Little Red Door was nominated for its cocktail menu

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (Winner announced on 21 September)

Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Las Milpas

Heaven Hill 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond

Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice

Tequila Fortaleza Winter Blend 2019

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Perrier (Winner announced on 21 September)

Atlas Bar – Singapore

Little Red Door – Paris, France

Raised by Wolves – San Diego, California, US

Tayēr + Elementary – London, UK

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Beam Suntory (Winner announced on 21 September)

Amor y Amargo ­– New York, US

Raised by Wolves – San Diego, California, US

Sexy Fish – London, UK

The Office – Chicago, Illinois, US

Timeless American Award presented by Q Mixers

Angel’s Share – New York, US

Timeless International Award presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Boadas Cocktails – Barcelona, Spain