The Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition is one of the most prestigious bartending challenges in the world. Founded in 2008, it challenges bartenders from all over the globe to create a Bacardi cocktail with the highest potential to become a classic.
They received 40 entries, which was narrowed down to 10 semi-finalists, who had to present their drinks to judges Tatum Ancheta (DrinkManila’s editor-in-chief), Jonathan Migne (Blackbird Group’s F&B director), Lei Babad (The Peak Grand Hyatt’s assistant manager), and Richie Cruz (Bacardi Legacy Philippines Winner 2016). The judges had to pick the top three based on the bartender’s performance and technique, the cocktail’s name (is it memorable?) and inspiration (does it tie in with their drink?), originality (have we seen a cocktail like this before?), visual appeal, aroma and taste (which comprised 50% of the total score), and replicability (can this cocktail be easily made anywhere in the world?).
It is the fourth year that the Philippines has joined the Bacardi Legacy, so our bartenders were already able to learn from the previous entries. The competition was stiff, with each contender giving it their all to impress the judges and show them that their Bacardi rum cocktail has the potential to have a lasting legacy.
Once the judges finished deliberating and the points were tallied, the top three contenders were revealed.
Ian James Osillo (Belle and Dragon) and his balanced, citrusy cocktail Perennial. Made with Bacardi Carta Oro, Bacardi Carta Blanca, sweet vermouth, fresh lemon juice, honey sugar syrup, and orange flambé. It’s Ian’s second time to be on the top three on Bacardi Legacy, his spicy cocktail Impulsive, got him to the top three on last year’s Philippine leg. His experience showed in his performance as he talked about the closure of his former bar, Exit, and the opportunities that came after.
Martin Protacio (Edge Bar at Discovery Primea) and La Generacion. This tart pink cocktail contains Bacardi Carta Oro, Rinomato Aperativo, fresh lemon juice, orgeat syrup, and egg white. He says this is a ‘curing’ cocktail, a healing potion which he tied to his grandfather’s cancer battle.
JI Agunat (Versus Barcade) and his cocktail Carpe Diem. This lip-smacking drink has Bacardi 8, banana syrup, Pedro Ximenez Sherry, chocolate bitters, truffle oil, and orange peel. JI handed a booklet to the judges to accompany his cocktail presentation and distributed Bacardi shots to the guests to toast with him at the end.
The next step for the top three is the promotional phase, in which they demonstrate that their cocktail has what it takes to become a classic. The top three finalists are tasked to market their drinks on social media and go around the Philippines for guest bar shifts in different establishments. Drop by their home turf or one of their bar shifts to get a taste of their cocktails. To get more information about their guest shifts, follow their respective social media accounts. JI Agunat can is available @carpediemlegacyph, Martin Protacio is @lageneracionph2019, and Ian James Osillo is available @theperennialph.
The lucky three will be representing our country at the Bacardi Legacy Southeast Asia Finals in February 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Follow the hashtag #BacardiLegacy2019 for more information on the competition.
