Winner to the Max

Max La Rocca from Sheen Falls Lodge, Kerry, is ‘Ireland’s Best Bartender’ having won the Irish final of the Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year Competition.

Max La Rocca of the Sheen Falls Lodge, Kerry, wins 'Ireland's Best Bartender'

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Max La Rocca from Sheen Falls Lodge, Kerry, is ‘Ireland’s Best Bartender’ having won the Irish final of the Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year Competition which took place in the Morgan Hotel in Dublin recently.

Max’s winning cocktail, A Mermaid in the Bush River, is made from 16 Year-Old Bushmills Malt, Heering Cherry Liqueur, Aperol Italian Aperitif, Orgeat Syrup, Angostura Bitters and Orange essential oils.

Max advances to the global final in Athens, Greece, this month, to battle it out with 30 of the best bartenders around the world for the accolade ‘World’s Best Bartender’. 

The judging panel consisted of Tom Doorley, Pichet restaurant proprietor Nick Munier, European Ketel One Vodka Brand Ambassador Justin Smyth and Global Brand Ambassador for Tanqueray Gin Angus Winchester.

Runners-up were Gareth Lambe from Venu Brasserie, Dublin and Csaba Henter from the Dylan Hotel, Dublin.

World Class, an international bartending competition hosted by Diageo, sees entrants from across the globe competing for the accolade ‘World’s Best Bartender’  inspired by Diageo’s Reserve Brands, the luxury spirits portfolio including Tanqueray London and No 10 Gins, Ketel One Vodka, Citroen and Ciroc, Johnnie Walker Whisky and Bushmills Irish Whiskey.

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