Ally Martin, of London’s Peg and Patriot; Benjamin Davies, of The Suburbs, Chester; and London’s City Social Matt Fairhurst were selected as the top three contestants at Syon House, London.
Eight bartenders were tasked with creating a Bacardi rum cocktail that could be replicated anywhere in the world demonstrating the brand’s history.
Davies’ “Golden Age”, Fairhurst’s “Tempting Fate” and Martin’s “The Young Cuban” impressed the judging panel including this year’s Bacardi Legacy global winner Tom Walker.
Shervene Shahbazkhani, Bacardi UK brand ambassador, said: “The calibre of entries for the final eight was already high, but Ben, Matt and Ally really stepped it up a gear for the national final. The atmosphere was electric and we are thrilled with the three serves chosen to move forward to the next stage of the competition. Both the drinks and the bartenders themselves have demonstrated the potential to innovate and build their very own drinks legacy that will be recognised globally and stand the test of time.”
The three “most promising” will promote their signature cocktail over the next few months, as one is selected to represent the UK at the 2015 final in May.
