The fourth annual Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series competition is currently open to entries, with two of the 25 Regional Winner positions allocated to Australian bartenders.

In addition to a €500 ($830) cash prize, both Australian winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Cork, Ireland, to attend the Jameson HOSTS Summit. Here, the top 10 will be invited to recreate their cocktail to be peer-judged by the remaining 15 winners and professional judging panel, which this year includes Australian bartender Millie Tang.

Following this, the three Global Champions will be awarded, each receiving a €5000 ($8300) cash prize and an invitation to partake in an exclusive mentorship program with summit curator Remy Savage, drinks industry journalist Eleni Nikoloulia, and hospitality consultant Danil Nevsky; each chosen for their unique expertise on Brand building and creative identity, Social media strategy, and Bar operations and logistics respectively.

Jameson’s Global Advocacy Manager Tony O’Brien says bringing back the mentorship program was an easy choice following its “runaway success” during last year’s competition.

“An addition to the cash prize, the mentorship offers that element of giving back to the industry which we and our mentors are so passionate about, and we look forward to that again this year,” he said.

“A true highlight of last year’s winners, they discussed their own bar projects and got to pick the brain of true experts and get that element of support that is so essential in our bartending community.”

The competition also comes at a time of strong growth for Irish whiskey both within Australia and globally. According to the Irish Food Board Board Bia's latest report, Australian imports increased by around 66% in 2024, positioning Australia as Irish whiskey's second most important Asia-Pacific market.

The 2025 competition also follows on from Australia's strong performance in last year's instalment, with Melbourne bartender and current T25 finalist Mel Hack placing in the Top 10. The 2024 Global Champions were Rohan Matmary from Malaysia, Vladamir Reitenbakh from Kazakhstan, and Josh Black from the UK.

How to enter?

To enter, Australian bartenders must design a cocktail featuring Jameson Black Barrel directly inspired by their locality, whether that be via a local ingredient, method, technique, craft, person, and/or place. Following this, entrants must submit a 30-60 second video explaining the cocktail both to Instagram and as an attachment to the completed entry form.

The judging panel - which for 2025 will include Danil Nevsky, Millie Tang, Claudia Cabrera, Remy Savage, Danil Nevsky, and Eleni Nikoloulia - will then choose the two Australian winners based on Drink concept and presentation (40%), Brand Integration (30%), and Video Production (30%).

Entries will be open up until 17 February, with Regional Winners to be announced on 10 March. For full conditions of entry and for more information, click here.

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