10/16/2026
St. Louis Bourbon Festival C**ktail Competition Winners!!
On behalf of the St. Louis Bourbon Society, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in this year's St. Louis Bourbon Festival C**ktail Competition!
The creativity, passion, and enthusiasm helped make this competition a tremendous success. From innovative recipes and impressive presentations to the energy and personality each team brought to the event, you truly showcased the artistry and excitement of the wh***ey and cocktail industry.
We recognize the time, effort, and resources that go into preparing for a competition like this, and we sincerely appreciate every brand and participant who stepped up to be part of this special event.
Congratulations to Our 2026 C**ktail Competition Winners!
Best Presentation – Shortbarrel Bourbon - Harvest in the Fog
For delivering an outstanding presentation that impressed our judges and showcased the cocktail experience.
Most Original – Chicken C**k Wh***ey - Banana Bread
For pushing the boundaries of creativity with a unique and imaginative cocktail.
Most Spirited – Switchgrass Spirits - It's Apple Time
For bringing exceptional energy, enthusiasm, and personality to the competition.
Best Overall – Bare Wood Spirits - Mai Tai Before Christmas
For delivering an exceptional cocktail experience that earned the competition's top honor!
While these four brands took home awards, we want to emphasize that every participant contributed to making this competition memorable. The level of talent, creativity, and camaraderie on display was exactly what we hoped to achieve.
A Special Thank You to STL Barkeep!
We want to extend a special thank you to STL Barkeep and Beverage Director Pat Gioia for their outstanding work facilitating the professional scoring process, keeping the competition organized and running smoothly.
From coordinating the judging process to ensuring accurate, consistent scoring and managing all the moving parts behind the scenes, their professionalism and attention to detail were instrumental in making this competition a success.
Having an experienced team overseeing the competition allowed our participants to focus on showcasing their talents while ensuring a fair, organized, and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Thank you, STL Barkeep, for being such an important part of this event! Please consider visiting their two amazing cocktail bars, The Vandy and Off Elm!
Hats Off to Our Distinguished Panel of Judges!
A competition of this caliber wouldn't be possible without knowledgeable and experienced industry professionals willing to dedicate their time and expertise.
We were fortunate to have an outstanding panel of judges representing some of the best talent and experience in the spirits and cocktail industry.
Please join us in thanking:
Heather Wibbels – Author & Mixologist, C**ktail Contessa
Craig Beam – Master Distiller, Jackson Purchase
Nichole Beam – Accounts Manager, Jackson Purchase
Jimmy James Hamblin – National Brand Ambassador, Buzzard's Roost
Destiny Durbin – Regional Manager of International Wh***ey, Bacardi
We sincerely appreciate each of you for sharing your time, knowledge, and professional insight. Your thoughtful evaluations, industry experience, and commitment to recognizing excellence brought tremendous credibility and value to the competition.
Thank you for helping us celebrate the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that make our industry so special!
Looking Ahead
Our goal has always been to create experiences that bring people together, celebrate the spirits industry, and build lasting relationships. This competition was a perfect reflection of our motto, "Fellowship in the Spirit."
We look forward to building on this year's success and making the St. Louis Bourbon Festival C**ktail Competition October 8th 2027 even bigger and better!
Thanks to everyone who attended, participated and supported to make the St. Louis Bourbon & C**ktail Festival such a special event.
Cheers!
Andrew Chostner & James Thomas
St. Louis Bourbon Society
Fellowship in the Spirit
www.stlouisbourbonfestival.com
Shortbarrel Bourbon
Chicken C**k Wh***ey
Switchgrass Spirits
STL Barkeep
