Tales of the Cocktail announce the Top 4 finalists for 2013 Spirited Awards

The team here at Australian Bartender are humbled and very proud to be able to announce that we have made it through to the final four finalists for Best Cocktail Writing (Publication), along with the US’ Imbibe, DiffordsGuide.com, and Bar Magazine Digital. It’s a huge honour to be included among such esteemed company and recognised internationally — so thanks go out to the judges but also to all the bartenders and readers who have sent in recipes, sat in on tastings and helped us to create a quality read that we’re all very proud of.

There were a number of Aussie bars and personalities in the top 10 finalists, announced just a couple of weeks ago. It’s been tougher for Aussies to get through to the next stage however — there’s only a couple of ex-pats in the mix: the ex-pat Aussie behind London’s The Zetter Townhouse, Michael Benyan, to be nominated in the final four in their category, World’s Best Hotel Bar, and fellow ex-pat (and former Australian Bartender editor) Naren Young’s work on the bar program for New York’s Saxon + Parole has seen that bar nominated in the final four for Best Restaurant Bar, World’s Best Drinks Selection, and Best High Volume Cocktail Bar.

Big congratulations go out to all the finalists. The full list is below.

American Bartender of the Year

Charles Joly The Aviary Chicago, Illinois
Eric Alperin The Varnish Los Angeles, California
Leo Robitschek The NoMad Hotel New York, New York
Sean Kenyon Williams & Graham Denver, Colorado

Best American Brand Ambassador

Elayne Duff Diageo Portfolio
Jamie Gordon Absolut Vodka
Neyah White Yamazaki
Todd Richman Sidney Frank Portfolio

Best American Cocktail Bar

Anvil Houston, Texas
Clover Club Brooklyn, New York
Cure New Orleans, Louisiana
The Hawthorne Boston, Massachusetts

Best Bar Mentor

Bridget Albert Chicago, Illinois
Dushan Zaric Los Angeles, California
Francesco Lafranconi Las Vegas, Nevada
Julie Reiner Brooklyn, New York

Best Cocktail Writing – Author

Gary Regan
Ian Cameron
Paul Clarke
Robert Simonson

Best Cocktail Writing – Publication

Australian Bartender Magazine
Bar Magazine Digital
DiffordsGuide.com
Imbibe Magazine

Best High Volume Cocktail Bar

Clover Club Brooklyn, New York
Harvard and Stone Los Angeles, California
Sable Kitchen and Bar Chicago, Illinois
Saxon + Parole Restaurant New York, New York

Best International Brand Ambassador

Claire Smith Belvedere Vodka
Giuseppe Gallo Martini
Ian Burrell Rum Ambassador
Jacob Briars Bacardi Portfolio

Best New Book (Cocktail/Bartending)

Drinks by Tony Conigliaro
The Tequila Ambassador by Tomas Estes
To Have and Have Another: A Hemingway Cocktail Companion by Philip Greene
Vodka Distilled by Tony Abou-Ganim

Best New Product

Dale DeGroff’s Pimento Aromatic Bitters
Dorothy Parker Gin
Fords Gin
Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao

Best Restaurant Bar

Island Creek Oyster Bar Boston, Massachusetts, USA
No. 9 Park Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Saxon + Parole Restaurant New York, New York, USA
The NoMad Hotel New York, New York, USA

International Bartender of the Year

Hidetsugu Ueno Bar High Five Tokyo, Japan
Jack McGarry The Dead Rabbit New York, New York, USA
Simone Caporale Artesian Bar at the Langham London, England,UK
Zdenek Kastanek 28 Hong Kong Street Singapore

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

Callooh Callay London, United Kingdom
Candelaria Paris, France
Drink Boston, Massachusetts, USA
The Varnish Los Angeles, California, USA

World’s Best Cocktail Menu
American Bar at the Savoy London, United Kingdom
Pouring Ribbons New York, New York, USA
The Dead Rabbit New York, New York, USA
The Nightjar London, United Kingdom

World’s Best Drink Selection
canon: whiskey and bitters emporium Seattle, Washington, USA
Mayahuel New York, New York, USA
Saxon + Parole Restaurant New York, New York, USA
The Dead Rabbit New York, New York, USA

World’s Best Hotel Bar

Clyde Common Portland, Oregon, USA
Eastern Standard Kitchen and Drinks Boston, Massachusetts, USA
The NoMad Hotel New York, New York, USA
The Zetter Townhouse London, United Kingdom

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar

Experimental Cocktail Club New York, New York, USA
Pouring Ribbons New York, New York, USA
The Dead Rabbit New York, New York, USA
The NoMad Hotel New York, New York, USA