MEET OUR
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 frequent...

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 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 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 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...

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...

Southern European Brand Education Manager for The Macallan, Nicola carries more than 15 years of experience in the spirits industry. Recently named Icons of Whisky’s Global Scotch Whisky Ambassador of the Year 2021, she is internationally recognized for her spirits...

Julie Reiner has been elevating the cocktail scene in NYC for 20 years most notably with the opening of the Flatiron Lounge in 2003 which helped change the way New Yorkers drank! As co-owner and beverage director of Flatiron, Reiner drew much of her inspiration from...

Holly Graham is the author of Cocktails of Asia, a book that shares the recipes, stories and history behind the cocktails, bars and people that define this spirited region. She is also Managing Editor (International) of DRiNK Magazine, Asia’s leading bar industry...

Charles Joly is a global bartending champion, James Beard Award winning beverage designer, content contributor, speaker and philanthropic enthusiast. With over 20 years in the hospitality industry, he has helped to usher in the modern age of the cocktail, while...

Certified Master of Sake and Master Sake Sommelier. Toshio is the creator of Sake School of America and English Shochu Adviser Certificate program, and only one in the world to hold Master of Sake (酒匠), Master Sake Sommelier (日本酒学講師), and WSET Sake Educator diploma....

LP has worked many roles in the food and beverage industry from Beverage Director, R&D Production Chef, Spirits Judge and Beverage Consultant. Today, she spends her time creating diverse, inclusive, and safe spaces through her work with Focus on Health. Some of her...

A world-renowned mixologist, spirits industry educator and icon of cocktail culture, is the Senior Vice President of Beverage and Hospitality Culture for Carver Road Capital Hospitality Firm. Formerly founder and managing partner of MR. COCO, a visionary cocktail...

Born in Mozambique, East Africa, Armando Rosario graduated from Hotel Training School in Algarve, Portugal. Has spent over 30 years of his life passionately pursuing the art of the crafted cocktail. Only by traveling across the globe, relentlessly seeking education...

Lynn House has had a long and extensive career in the beverage industry. In 2019 she was named National Spirits Specialist and Portfolio Mixologist for Heaven Hill Brands. Lynn’s previous roles at Heaven Hill include National Brand Educator from 2015 to 2019 and...

2010 Best American Brand Ambassador, Golden Spirit Award winner at Tales of the Cocktail and recognized by the James Beard recognition for contribution to mixology, Charlotte Voisey is the Global Head of Ambassadors for William Grant & Sons. Host of video series...

Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff developed his extraordinary techniques and talent tending bar at the legendary Rainbow Room, where in the 1980’s, he pioneered a gourmet approach to recreating the classic cocktails. DeGroff has since been credited with reviving the...

Tony Abou-Ganim is widely regarded as one of the pioneering and leading bar professionals in the world. He has made dozens of national TV appearances on shows including TODAY, Iron Chef America, Good Morning America, CNBC, Fox News and more. Abou-Ganim is the author...

The owner of Agave Forte, David Grapshi has a true passion for tequila. His dedication to the beverage industry started 25 years ago in positions in both liquor supply and distribution. Since then, David has created a widespread network of contacts both stateside and...

A San Francisco native, Julio Bermejo is the beverage manager at Tommy's Mexican Restaurant and a highly regarded expert on tequila. Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant has made the Top 50 Bars in the world list in the inaugural year of the list 2009 and also 2011, 2013, 2015,...