El Dorado hosts Rum Heritage Cocktail Competition
Guyanese rum brand El Dorado is hosting its second annual global cocktail contest this week from 9-10 April.
Hosted in Guyana, South America, the competition brings together 10 bartenders from nine different countries.
Following regional heats, North America will be represented by Shelley Bowers from House of Bamboo in California, Steven Huddleston from Stir by SQ1 in Florida, and Erick Lerch from Mother Cocktail Bar in Ontario.
European competitors include Benedetta Paris from Happiness Forgets in London, UK; Fabio Kaufmann from Residenz Heinz Winkler in Germany; Charles Portail from Sauvage in France; and Andreas Ording from Boho House in Norway.
Daniel Hilton from Kitty Hawk brings his Australian flair to the competition, while Nizel Waldron from Ace Bar Services in Trinidad represents the Caribbean islands.
Additionally Guyana, the home of El Dorado, will be represented by Romel Persaud from the country’s Therapy Cocktails bar.
Last year, Mike Dojcsak from Canada won the inaugural competition.
The 10 finalists have received an all-expenses-paid trip to the renowned Diamond Distillery, home of El Dorado Rum and Guyana’s last remaining distillery, located on the banks of the Demerara River.
During the two-day final, competitors will receive an in-depth experience of Guyanese culture, lifestyle, and heritage before showcasing their final creations to the panel of judges.
The judging panel will include Shaun Caleb, master distiller of Demerara Distillers Limited, producer of El Dorado rum; Marie King, an international rum and cocktail specialist from the US; and Timo Janse, a Spanish bar owner, bartender, and cocktail aficionado.
In the first round, participants will present their winning cocktails reflecting their legacy, journey, and interpretation of heritage.
In the second round, finalists will present a different creation that highlights the character of El Dorado’s single still rums, using ingredients sourced from their visit to the local market.
The winner will be announced on 10 April and awarded a US$5,000 cash prize, along with a rare collection of El Dorado rums.
Last year, The Spirits Business spoke to Caleb about the company’s investment in sustainability.
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