SEAN LUDFORD

by | Dec 7, 2022 | Judges

Sean Ludford has been involved in the beverage industry for more than two decades. He has an eclectic resume including stints at restaurants, a buyer at one of America’s top wine & spirit retailers, a writer & reviewer, importer/distributor, and a...

LAUREN MOTE

by | Dec 6, 2022 | Judges

Lauren is the Global Director of On Trade Excellence for PATRÓN Tequila, developing the global PATRÓN trade advocacy agenda and leading the global PATRÓN Perfectionists Bartending Program. Lauren is also a founding partner of the award-winning Bittered Sling cocktail...

MAX A. SOLANO

by | Nov 28, 2022 | Judges

Max A. Solano is the founder and principal of Bar Chef Productions, LLC, a beverage consulting firm and multi-state spirits and beverage brokerage based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prior to Covid, Max was a mixologist for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Nevada, Head...

JAKE DAVENPORT

by | Nov 15, 2022 | Judges

Jake Davenport is a 20 year veteran of the industry with a passion for all things spirited. You can find his nose in a book and a glass in his hand—as he is always looking to further his education of beer, wine, sake, and of course spirits. Jake is a certified:...

SHANNON MUSTIPHER

by | Nov 15, 2022 | Judges

Shannon Mustipher is a spirits educator, cocktail consultant, and expert on the topic of rum and cane spirits. In 2014, she became the Beverage Director of Glady’s Caribbean in Brooklyn, and has poured cocktails in settings ranging from neighborhood pubs to Michelin...

TAD DORDA

by | Nov 15, 2022 | Judges

Tadeusz “Tad” Dorda is Chairman and CEO of Podlaska Wytwórnia Wódek “Polmos” S.A., the century-old distillery in eastern Poland that produces Chopin Vodka, Poland’s premier spirit brand. At Polmos, he is responsible for the company’s overall business strategy and...