The Bacardi Legacy Australia Final 2018 was held last night with James Irvine of The Swillhouse Group in Sydney taking out the title.
The event was held at Eternity Playhouse in Sydney where the “Three Most Promising”, Zach Underwood-Mynott (Canvas Bar), James Irvine (The Swillhouse Group) and Vini Wang (Hains & Co.) competed on stage.
Previous Australian winners Fred Siggins and Dave Kerr, joined by Singapore-based Jason Williams (ex Keystone) judged the competition with Charlie Lehmann of Ramblin’ Rascal Tavern MC-ing the event.
First up was Zach Underwood-Mynott (Canvas, Brisbane) with Escape.
Next was Vini Wang (Hains & Co., South Australia) with Aja.
And third to present was James Irvine from The Swillhouse Group with Bocado.
Irvine’s drink, Bocado was judged not only against its ingredients and methods used to create a stunning cocktail for the ages, but also the expertise in marketing the drink to the public. His inspired use of BACARDÍ 8 coupled with a flair for promotion both on and off stage won the judges over.
The winning cocktail, Bocado, utilises mouthfeel, Spanish influence and visuals to create an homage to everyone James feels contributes to making a bar successful: The bartenders, designers and consumers. Here’s the full recipe.
Bocado by James Irvine, The Swillhouse Group
- 50ml BACARDÍ Gran Reserva 8 Años Rum
- 12.5ml De Kuyper Crème de Bananes
- 10ml Noilly Prat
- 10ml Palo Cortado Sherry
Garnish: Garnish with 3 drops of rosemary oil, creating a drizzle effect.
Glassware: Skyscraper coupette
Method
Stir all ingredients (except rosemary oil) in a mixing glass filled 3/4 full of quality ice. Once chilled and diluted, strain into a chilled cocktail glass with a single, dense (preferably spherical) piece of ice.
The Bacardi Legacy Australia Final 2018 winner, James Irvine will be travelling to Mexico City in April on an all-expenses-paid journey to represent Australia against the best bartenders from 35 countries globally and compete in the Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition 2017/18.
Photography © by Corinne Mossati for Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.
