- The three finalists of the 5th edition of the Cardenal Mendoza Gold Jigger Cocktail Competition 2024 are Yuri Brian Rubal with his cocktail "El Capataz" (Spain), Ariel Rosario with "Santo Pecado" (Puerto Rico), and Derek Crow with "Garnet" (USA).
Three international mixologists reach the finals of the 2024 Cardenal Mendoza Gold Jigger Cocktail Competition
Cardenal Mendoza has revealed the names of the three finalists who will compete for the prestigious Jigger de Oro on October 29 in Jerez de la Frontera. Yuri Brian Rubal, with his cocktail "El Capataz" (Spain), Ariel Rosario with "Santo Pecado" (Puerto Rico), and Derek Crow with "Garnet" (USA) have been selected from among the 30 participants to compete in the grand final of the 5th edition of the Cardenal Mendoza Gold Jigger Cocktail Competition, one of the most important international competitions in the world of mixology and the largest competition centered on Brandy de Jerez.
The selection of the finalists took into account several key aspects, including the creativity of the recipes, the originality and replicability of the cocktails, respect for the essence of Cardenal Mendoza in the proposals, and the final presentation of each drink. The three finalists have stood out remarkably in all these areas and must now pass two tests in the final: recreating their winning cocktails and facing a surprise challenge that will test their ability to improvise.
Format of the Grand Final and Awards
The grand finale will take place in Jerez de la Frontera on October 29 at the iconic Gallo Azul, where the three finalists will present their creations to a jury of experts and enthusiasts invited by the winery. The jury will consist of three renowned figures from the world of mixology: Borja Cortina, Brandy de Jerez Ambassador and owner of Varsovia Gijón; Ana Camacho, winner of the Mistura Beirão TV Show 2024, bartender at Paradiso Barcelona, and General Manager of Paradiso Time Out; and Anxo Vila, R&D Director at Salmón Gurú and Gurú Lab Madrid. They will be the ones to evaluate each cocktail and award the prizes, which include the coveted Gold, Silver, and Bronze Jiggers, as well as an exclusive experience at the Sánchez Romate cellars to discover the excellence of a brand with over 200 years of history.
Golden Week 2024: A Global Celebration of Brandy de Jerez
Cardenal Mendoza’s Golden Week, which includes the competition, is an annual celebration that highlights the richness and versatility of Brandy de Jerez. In its ninth edition, taking place from October 25 to 31, 2024, this special week will feature a series of international events such as tastings, masterclasses, seminars, and pairings. The poster for this edition was created by renowned artist Carmen García Huerta, who has captured the vitality and festive spirit of the celebration in her design, as she herself states: "My goal was to capture the spirit of life and of Cardenal Mendoza’s Golden Week."
A record year for international participation
This year, the Cardenal Mendoza Gold Jigger Cocktail Competition demonstrated its broad international reach by receiving 278 entries from around the world, with Puerto Rico leading in the number of registered participants (83), followed by Spain (67) and Italy (37). In total, 30 participants were selected to compete in this exciting edition, representing countries such as the United States, the Dominican Republic, Germany, and Chile, among many others.
