Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition Expands in 2018

Jul 01, 2018

The Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition is back with an even broader global reach, as this year contestants will hail from six continents and twenty countries and compete to create a cocktail worthy of a perfectionist. For the first time, in the competition’s four-year history, it will be welcoming bartenders from the US and Brazil to compete alongside some of the world’s best bartending talent in Mexico, the homeland of Patrón.

Inspired by the perfectionists who craft each bottle of Patrón, the competition is aimed at those in continuous search of perfection. Patrón is looking for bartenders who demonstrate its respect for craftsmanship, attention to detail and unwavering commitment to perfection and to see these values brought to life through their cocktail creations and presentation.

Entries for the competition opened for Australia on the 8th of May 2018 and will close on the 26th of July 2018 11:00pm AEST. Local competitions will determine which six bartenders will go on to compete at the national competition in Sydney on 15th of October 2018.

Other countries’ national finals will be taking place from September until November 2018. Entrants from Canada, US, Mexico, UK, Brazil, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, The UAE, South Africa, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan will take to the bar in the hope of being crowned their national Patrón Perfectionist.

All 20 winners will head to Mexico in January 2019 to compete in the global finals week, with the grand finals being hosted at the home of Patrón Tequila, Hacienda Patrón in Jalisco, Mexico.

Lee Applbaum, Chief Marketing Officer, Patrón Spirits International said: “The incredible bartending talent and sense of community demonstrated at the Patrón Perfectionists Finals is truly inspiring. The number of different ways bartenders around the world have chosen to showcase our tequila in their bespoke cocktails is mesmerising and the flavour combinations -- reflecting their personal experiences and background -- reinforces the versatility of Patrón Tequila.

“I’m proud to see how our previous winners have grown in recognition not just in their respective markets but globally. The Patrón Perfectionists finals represents the beginning of their journey with us. Every guest who comes to Hacienda Patrón departs more passionate and inspired about the art of handcrafted tequila. We then harness our shared commitment to perfection and enriched knowledge through continued partnerships on guest-shifts, trade tours, masterclasses and judging. We’re looking forward to expanding our global community of Perfectionists even further this year as we extend the competition to the US and Brazil.”

Talking about her experience, Li Tong, last year’s Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition global winner, from Lotus Lounge in Guangzhou, China, said: “Winning the Global Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition has given me a platform to showcase my passion to the world and it all started with my winning cocktail, the Dancing Bees. Coming from a small town in China where female bartenders are not celebrated, it’s incredible to think I’ll soon be touring Asia doing guest shifts at world-famed bars. I have truly valued my experience so far and look forward to continuing my journey as a Patrón Perfectionist.”

Matthew Sykes, Director of International Marketing, Patrón Spirits International said: “The Perfectionists Cocktail Competition launched in 2015 and has grown exponentially in that time, from a UK bartender competition to truly global competition which is hugely respected in the industry. The calibre of talent entering is outstanding and is reflective of our commitment to the power of advocacy and the rich multi-faceted experience those who enter receive. The Perfectionists Cocktail Competition is a competition which will stretch people professionally as they strive for perfection and learn from their peers. It has helped enhance bartenders’ personal network, as many of those who compete together become friends for life. All those who enter, learn much from the process that they take with them in their careers, and many of them enjoy a great degree of travel both during the competition and afterwards, as once a Patrón Perfectionist, always a Patrón Perfectionist.

To enter the Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition please visit: www.patronperfectionists.com