The much-anticipated Jameson cocktail mastery competition returns, with exciting prizes, global mentorship, and Malaysia vying for a historic third win.
Jameson Irish Whiskey has launched the 2025 edition of its celebrated Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series, open for entries now until February 17, 2025. This globally renowned competition not only challenges bartenders to craft innovative cocktails featuring Jameson Black Barrel but also provides a platform to celebrate local cultures and ingredients. With Malaysia boasting two consecutive global winners, hopes are high for another exceptional showing this year.
The competition’s 2024 edition saw over 350 entries from 46 countries, spotlighting diverse regional ingredients like mangosteen, walnut leaves, and fermented mare’s milk. Judges expect 2025 to push boundaries further, predicting trends like bioluminescence in cocktail presentation, extreme savoury flavours (think anchovies and mushrooms), and creative use of ancient beverages like Pulque and Tejate. Judges Claudia Cabrera, Millie Tang, and Danil Nevsky anticipate innovation across every entry, with bartenders drawing inspiration from heritage and cutting-edge culinary techniques.
UNRIVALLED PRIZES AND MENTORSHIP
This year’s winners can look forward to more than just recognition. The top 24 contestants, dubbed Regional Winners, will enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to the Jameson HOSTS Global Summit in Ireland, where they’ll network with over 100 bar industry professionals and attend insightful workshops. From these, 10 finalists will compete in a live global final in Cork, culminating in three Global Champions earning €5,000 each and gaining access to a mentorship programme featuring icons like Remy Savage and Eleni Nikoloulia.
The mentorship programme offers an unparalleled opportunity for winners to refine their craft and explore professional growth, focusing on topics such as creative cocktail ideation, bar branding, and global marketing strategies. Speaking on the initiative, Jameson Global Advocacy Manager Tony O’Brien highlighted its value in giving back to the bar community by providing mentorship alongside the coveted cash prizes.
MALAYSIA’S MOMENT
Malaysia has become a standout in this global competition, with past winners like Thanesh Joel and Rohan Matmary setting a high standard. The country’s bartending scene continues to flourish, blending creativity with a deep respect for local ingredients and traditions.
Jameson Black Barrel, the competition’s core spirit, is celebrated for its rich character, with notes of caramel, toasted oak, and vanilla spice. Entrants are encouraged to harness these qualities, showcasing both technique and cultural storytelling through their creations.
This year’s competition promises an exciting fusion of tradition and innovation, inspiring bartenders to reach new creative heights while strengthening Jameson’s global bartending community.
JAMESON BLACK BARREL BARTENDER SERIES 2025: KEY FACTS AND COMPETITION RULES
Eligibility and Entry Requirements:
- Open to professional bartenders (or those active within the past five years) globally, except for the USA. Cruise ship bartenders are welcome to join.
- Entrants must create a 30–60 second video presenting a unique cocktail featuring Jameson Black Barrel.
- Video submissions must be posted on a public Instagram account with hashtags #JamesonBartenderSeries2025 and #JamesonBlackBarrel, and also uploaded via a file-sharing link on the entry form.
- Entry period: January 13 – February 17, 2025.
Judging Criteria:
- Drink concept and presentation: 40%
- Brand integration: 30%
- Video production: 30%
Competition Timeline:
- Entries close: February 17, 2025.
- Regional Winners announced: March 10, 2025.
- Top 10 finalists selected: June 21, 2025.
- Global Summit and live finals: September 2025 in Cork, Ireland.
Prizes:
- Regional Winners (24 total):
- €500 cash prize.
- All-expenses-paid trip to the Jameson HOSTS Global Summit in Cork, Ireland.
- Guided tours at Midleton Distillery, exclusive seminars, and networking opportunities.
- Global Champions (3 selected):
- €5,000 cash prize each.
- Comprehensive mentorship programme covering bar branding, operations, and social media strategies, led by industry experts like Remy Savage and Eleni Nikoloulia.
Key Highlights:
- Participants can experiment with unique ingredients and concepts, showcasing local culture in their cocktails.
- Global trends such as bioluminescent cocktails and maximalist designs are expected to feature.
- Regional breakdown ensures representation from diverse markets, with Malaysia allotted one Regional Winner spot.
This competition is not only a test of creativity, but also an opportunity for bartenders to grow professionally through collaboration, mentorship, and global exposure.
For more details, visit the Jameson HOSTS Instagram, and for complete information on the competition, CLICK HERE for the Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series site.
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