2019 Competition
Words by Simon Difford
One of the leading international cocktail competitions, Patrón Perfectionists 2019 (with its final in January 2020) encompassed bartenders from 30 countries and cruise liners across six continents. From as far afield as Israel and Colombia, bartenders around the globe competed in national finals during 2019.
The national winners, representing the top bartending talent from around the world, headed to Mexico and the beautiful home of Patrón Tequila in January 2020 to compete in the global final. After the first round, in light of the very high standards, the judges (which included myself and Paloma) selected seven (rather than the usual six) to compete in the last round of the global final.
The seven finalists to reach the last round in the competition were Anneliese Grazioli (Australia & New Zealand), Jared Schmidt (Canada), Sarah Turbett (central USA), Tobias Lindner (Germany), Willy Park (Japan & South Korea), Jason Hussien Ali (Philippines, Singapore & Indonesia) and Giulia Cuccurullo (UK).
Congratulations to Giulia Cuccurullo who emerged the deserving winner to be crowned the 2019 Patrón Perfectionist! Special mention to Jared Schmidt who was awarded second place in the competition and Willy Park third place.
And congratulations to all the global finalists. It was a very memorable week for us all and a great example of competitors coming together from around the world to complete as friends rather than rivals. We present their drinks below (click on their images to see their recipe and inspiration).
Anneliese Grazioli
Andrei Talapanescu
Ana Paula Ulrich
Jared Schmidt
Slamet Haryadi
Marcela Alvarez
Melissa Coutant
Tobias Lindner
Jenn Eguialis
Yohanan Mikhailov
Chiara Mascellaro
Willy Park
Rodolfo Fregoso
Allan Suárez
Jason Hussein Ali
David Van Zyl
Pedro Duarte
Tati Pertegato
Giulia Cuccurullo
Glendon Hartley
Sarah Turbett
Michael Cadden
Patron XO Cafe Liqueur
This Mexican coffee-flavoured liqueur is based on 100% agave Patrón Tequila rather than neutral spirit, as is more commonly the case with coffee liqueurs.
Gran Patron Burdeos
This 100% agave, triple distilled añejo tequila is matured in a combination of casks: one year in ex-bourbon barrels, 10 months in French oak barrels
Gran Patron Piedra
Launched in global travel retail in April 2013, Gran Patrón Piedra is an extra añejo tequila produced using a traditional Tahona wheel to crush the piña
Patron Silver tequila
Patrón Silver is a blend of two very differently produced triple distilled tequilas - one made using a traditional tahona and fermented with agave fibres,
Patron Reposado Tequila
Patrón Reposado comprises two very different 100% agave triple distilled tequilas - one made using a traditional tahona and fermented with agave fibres,
Gran Patron Platinum Tequila
Produced from a blend of two very differently produced triple distilled tequilas - one made using a traditional tahona and fermented with agave fibres,
Patron Anejo tequila
Patrón Añejo is a blend of two very differently produced triple distilled 100% agave tequilas - one made using a traditional Tahona and fermented with
Patron XO Cafe Dark Cocoa
Launched in February 2012, Patrón XO Cafe Dark Cocoa is coffee liqueur based on Patrón Silver tequila and flavoured with Criollo dark cocoa from Mexico's
Patron Citronge
This orange liqueur was developed for use in Margarita cocktails and is made using organically grown sweet oranges from Jamaica and bittersweet oranges
