- The jury, composed of Borja Cortina, Ana Camacho, and Anxo Vila, highlighted its innovation and technique as key factors in its success.
Derek Crow, from the U.S., has won first prize in the 2024 Cardenal Mendoza Gold Jigger Cocktail Competition at the finals held on Tuesday, October 29, at the iconic El Gallo Azul building in Jerez de la Frontera. According to the jury, composed of Borja Cortina (Brandy de Jerez Ambassador and owner of Varsovia Gijón); Ana Camacho (winner of the Mistura Beirão TV Show 2024 and bartender at Paradiso Barcelona); and Anxo Vila (R&D Director at Salmón Gurú and Gurú Lab Madrid), Crow prevailed over the other two finalists, particularly with the cocktail he crafted in the second round of the competition using ingredients from his “Mystery Box.” "I am very grateful and excited. This award is a tribute to the tradition of Cardenal Mendoza," said Crow after receiving the award.
With this first prize, the winner has taken home the coveted personalized gold jigger, crowning him the winner of the 5th edition of the Cardenal Mendoza Gold Jigger Cocktail Competition. Ariel Rosario (Puerto Rico) took home the silver jigger, and Yuri Brian (Spain) the bronze jigger. In addition, all three enjoyed an exclusive experience at the Sánchez Romate winery with a private tour where they tasted the prestigious Non Plus Ultra Brandy straight from the cask and experienced firsthand the excellence of a brand with over 200 years of history.
Contest format: two rounds, one goal
The final on October 29 consisted of two challenging rounds. In the first, the finalists had to recreate their selected cocktails in front of the jury and were given 15 minutes for preparation and presentation. A random draw on the spot determined the order of the participants: Ariel Rosario from Puerto Rico went first, followed by Derek Crow from the United States, and Yuri Brian from Spain in third place. The second part of the final consisted of a surprise challenge in which the contestants also had 15 minutes to create a cocktail using Cardenal Mendoza Elements Edition and three of the five mystery ingredients they found in their respective “Mystery Box.”
Notable performances by the finalists
The participants’ performances in the first round did not disappoint. Ariel Rosario, with his cocktail “Santo Pecado,” captivated the jury with a lighthearted and festive presentation in which he incorporated souvenirs from Puerto Rico in a clear tribute to his country. Derek Crow presented his "Garnet" cocktail, which evokes the classic, bold style of American drinks, with an elegant execution that reflected his mastery of mixology. Yuri Brian, for his part, captured the audience’s attention with his shaking skills, turning his presentation into a show as he crafted his "El Capataz" cocktail.
However, it was the second round that ultimately tipped the scales in favor of American Derek Crow, as according to Borja Cortina, president of the jury, “this cocktail was the best we tasted out of the six that were made during the competition.” In fact, Derek and Puerto Rican Ariel Rosario were neck and neck, and the American won by a margin of just ten points thanks to his score in this round. To create it, Crow chose cardamom, ginger, and triple sec from the five mystery ingredients in his box, discarding the pomegranate and mango. Ariel Rosario took a risk by using pineapple, coconut water, and white vermouth, leaving out the nutmeg and brown sugar from his “Mystery Box.” Spain’s representative, Yuri Brian, opted for passion fruit, agave, and red vermouth, leaving the mustard and aloe vera in his box.
An international competition during Golden Week 2024
The Cardenal Mendoza Gold Jigger Cocktail Competition 2024 saw record participation in its initial phase with 278 entries from around the world, from which 30 contestants were selected, and finally, the three finalists were chosen last September.
The contest is part of Cardenal Mendoza’s Golden Week, an annual celebration that highlights the richness and versatility of Brandy de Jerez. In its ninth edition, which took place from October 25 to 31, 2024, a series of international events were held in the city, including tastings, master classes, seminars, and pairings.
About Cardenal Mendoza
Cardenal Mendoza is a Solera Gran Reserva brandy, produced by the Sánchez Romate winery. With over 200 years of history, this brandy is characterized by its complex flavor, the result of an aging process in casks previously used to age Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherries. Cardenal Mendoza remains one of the most prestigious brands in the Brandy de Jerez category.
