Bacardi Legacy finalists preparing for battle

Three of Australia’s top bartenders are readying themselves for the Australian final of Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition, with the winner representing Australia at the global finals in Mexico City later in the year.

Sydney’s James Irvine (Swillhouse Group), Brisbane’s Zach Underwood-Mynott (Canvas Bar) and Adelaide’s Vini Wang (Hains & Co.) will each produce their unique cocktail in front of a panel of expert judges and an audience of their peers at the Australian finals, which will be held at the Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst, Sydney on February 12.

Chosen from hundreds of entries into Bacardi Legacy 2017/18 – itself a record for the competition – the final three will now be judged not only on their ability to create a timeless drink, but also their ability to market the drink (and themselves) to consumers.

James Irvine first competed in the finals three years ago, and is now hoping to win his first Australian leg of the competition with ‘Bocado’ – described as a rosemary oil ‘flavour bomb’.

Zach Underwood-Mynott is a newcomer to the competition, but has already left an impression in his home state of Queensland thanks to ‘The Escape’, a creative twist on a Piña Colada.

Completing the trio is Vini Wang, a fresh-faced bartender from Adelaide who earned his place in the final with a fresh wasabi, ginger and lime concoction called ‘Aja’.

The judging panel will consist of previous Australian winners Fred Siggins and Dave Kerr, joined by the now Singapore-based Jason Williams (of Keystone fame); MC for the night will be Ramblin’ Rascal’s Charlie Lehmann.

Ahead of the evening the finalists will be judged on their ability to sell their drinks through PR, social and marketing channels, while on the night the judges will look at their cocktail recipe, use of ingredients, and presentation.

The winner will be announced on the night via Facebook Live.