Emporia Brands has revealed the five UK bartenders who will contest the Gabriel Boudier Wizard Award Grand Final at the distillery in Dijon, France, in January 2027. The finalists earned their places across three regional heats following 168 entries, with the winner set to receive £1,000 (US$1,300) and see their recipe developed for the brand’s Bartender Liqueur range.
The regional finals took place at Skoll & Hati in Edinburgh, Albert Schloss in Liverpool, and Albert Schloss in London.
Each entrant presented a bespoke liqueur recipe alongside a simple serve and a signature serve to the judging panel.
What Will Whisky Look Like in 2027? Voices from Whisky Live Paris
READ THE STORYIn the South final in London, Lorenzo Gavelli of Disrepute won with his Timur Berry liqueur, presented as a Timur Spritz and a Timur Paloma. “The liqueur showcases the versatility of the Timur Berry and its initial floral notes,” said Gavelli, “developing into a pleasant peppery bite with a long-lasting end note of citrus reminiscent of pink grapefruit.”
Rowena Mead of Fight Club, Shoreditch, was joint winner in the same heat with her Essence de Cigare liqueur, served as a Late-Night Tabac and a Backroom Manhattan. “There are only a small number of tobacco liqueurs, due to the health and safety implications of nicotine infusion into alcohol,” Mead explained.
Michael Dylan Edwards of Simone’s Cocktail Club, Liverpool, took the North/Midlands final with a Beetroot liqueur, presenting an English Royale and a New English. “I wanted this liqueur to be inclusive and not overly earthy,” said Edwards.
Trending Content
Rachael Carpenter, co-owner of Skoll & Hati, won the Scottish final with an Elderberry liqueur, served as The Elder Tree and Voluspa. Judges added a wildcard place for runner-up Mia Gander of Bramble, Edinburgh, whose 20% ABV Beurre liqueur will also travel to Dijon.
The competition dates back a decade. Previous winner Ashley Haines returns as a judge this year, having taken the 2024/2025 title with his Sweet Woodruff liqueur.
Jack Rackham, managing director at Emporia Brands and a Wizard judge, commented: “Over a decade of Wizard Awards and the quality keeps getting better. This year’s regionals were the strongest yet, both in creativity and technical execution.”
Haines added: “The standard of this year’s competition has been extraordinary. I can’t wait to see which of these five exceptional finalists is crowned the next Wizard in Dijon.”
