Held at The Island on Sydney Harbour, finalists were allocated ten-minute slots to re-create their entry and present it to the judges. The judging panel included Patrón Spirits Chief Marketing Officer, Lee Applbaum, who was in the country from the US; industry expert Ben Davidson (Bespoke Drinks); and agave spirits expert and the man behind Agave Love, Phil Bayly, along with Thalita Gabriel, bartender at Bulletin Place and a member of award-winning The Gresham bar team (2015), and Simon McGoram, owner of Bondi’s Neighbourhood Bar.
Cozens’ creation was served in a seashell on a bed of pineapple and black pepper sand, and to highlight the saltwater aroma of the ocean theme the seashell vessel was garnished with salted agave air. Cozens’ inspiration for the cocktail was his love affair and connection to the sea, having grown up by the ocean in New Zealand. His flawless presentation, knowledge of the spirit and complimentary ingredients along with the back-story wowed the judges.
Cozens will now head on a luxury trip to the stunning Patrón distillery, Hacienda Patrón in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico to represent Australia in the Global Patrón Perfectionists finale.
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