Fully underway for 2015, the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge has completed its first two regional finals, with winners named in both South and Western Australia.

The two heats took place this past week with Joe Sinagra from Bobeche and Roman Tazdhynov from Bibliotheca taking out the WA and SA comps respectively.

Both Sinagra and Tazdhynov have now earned spots in the National Final, taking place in Sydney 31 August, where they will compete for $10,000 cash and a trip to Trinidad for the Global Final early next year.

In WA, Sinagra, who one the national title in 2012, proved to be a standout yet again with his cocktail “The Dragons Mouths”, which he served in a smoking treasure chest with an Angostura aromatic bitter dry ice mist.

Having won previously, this year will now be the last time Sinagra is eligible to compete.

For SA, Tazdhynov, who was reportedly sick at the time of competition, managed to overcome his self-proclaimed “manflu” to pull off a win with his “Peach Perfect” and “Drink Brulee”.

On the level of competition, head judge Britt Page from island2island (distributors of Angostura aromatic bitters in Australia), commented:

“Both won because their cocktails were perfectly balanced, tasted delicious and showed excellent understanding of how the flavours and aromas mix. We wish them all the best in the national comp next month.

“Joe’s been here before so he knows just how the Australian Challenge is. We are the country to beat, so the stakes are high.”