After two days of nail biting competition in Sydney, Jack Sotti, Bar Manager behind Eau de Vie’s newest venture, Boilermaker House, has be named this year’s Australian ‘Bartender of the Year’ – winning the DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS National Final.

Sotti beat out 24 of the country’s best bartenders in this weekend’s National Finals, with contenders drawn from a pool of over 343 total applicants.

Finalists were tasked with a series of head-to-head challenges judged by industry heavyweights, including MasterChef host Matt Preston; global whisky expert Dave Broom; Three Blue Ducks restaurateur Darren Robertson; Founder and Director of Spirited Award Winning Edinburgh bar, Bon Vivant, Stuart McCluskey; and former World Class winners Tim Philips, Luke Ashton and Charlie Ainsbury.

Each challenge was designed to champion the gifted, and was judged against tough criteria, including artistry, innovation, balance, technique and visual aesthetic.

The competition also recognised achievements in category, crowning winners for each challenge and honouring Thalita Alves from The Gresham (Brisbane); Rowan Furlong from The Victoria Room (Sydney); Jenna Hemsworth from Lui Bar (Melbourne); Sasha Leonard from Double Happiness (Melbourne); and Pez Collier from Lychee Lounge (Brisbane).

Judge Dave Broom remarked, “I have been astounded by the breadth of the contestant’s industry knowledge and bartending talent. Every top 25 finalist showed ambition, integrity and respect – not only for the judges and their competitors, but for the industry.”

Later this year, Sotti will represent Australia globally in Diageo’s seventh annual DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS Final to be held in Cape Town, South Africa.

In addition to a place in the week-long international competition, all national finalists will earn a trip around the world, featuring a toured exploration of over 80 bars.

Sotti is currently general manager of soon to be opened Boilermaker House in Melbourne, the fourth offering from Speakeasy Group.

Behind the bar, Sotti will offer some of his competing recipes alongside a small selection of classic cocktails focused around whisky.