The Bartender Spirits Awards is excited to announce the first batch of Ambassadors and Industry Experts for the 2025 edition. These influential figures bring decades of experience, innovation, and a deep understanding of the global spirits industry. They will be key voices in helping brands succeed in the competitive U.S. on-premise sector, sharing their expertise to guide spirits brands toward success.

With their deep regional expertise, these Ambassadors will guide both trade professionals and consumers in better understanding and appreciating the categories they represent.

Meet the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards Ambassadors and Experts:

Nora Furst: Regional and Category Ambassador for Pacific Northwest / Portland and San Francisco

Categories: Amaro/Liqueur, Non-Alc, Brandy

Nora Furst is an award-winning bartender and drink creator with a decade of experience developing over 30 bar programs globally, from San Francisco to Delhi. She is the Operating Partner at Buddy, named one of Esquire's 50 Best Bars in America in 2023, and runs West Bev Consulting, working with a wide variety of clients across the West Coast. Nora is known for her passion for provenance, diversity, terroir, and process, making her an essential ambassador for Amaro, Liqueur, Non-Alc, and Brandy categories. She splits her time between San Francisco and Portland.

John Granata: Regional  and Category Ambassador for New Jersey

Category: Gin

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John Granata is the Co-Founder, Master Distiller, and President at Jersey Spirits Distilling Co., as well as the President and Founding Member of the New Jersey Craft Distillers Guild. With decades of entrepreneurial expertise, John has turned Jersey Spirits into an award-winning distillery. He is a strong advocate for the craft distilling community in New Jersey and will bring his deep knowledge of Gin to the Bartender Spirits Awards, helping brands navigate the complexities of the U.S. market.

Michael Bowles: Regional And Category Expert for Japan

Category: Sake and Japanese Spirits

Michael Bowles has an extensive background in the hospitality industry, having grown up working in his father's restaurants in Massachusetts. His journey into the world of spirits and sake was shaped by his time in Washington DC and his professional experience in Japan. While living in Japan for over 8 years, Michael worked closely with a sake brewery in Nagano, developing a deep understanding of the production process. He later moved to Los Angeles, where he served as the Sake Buyer for Wally's Beverly Hills, curating sake programs for high-end outlets. Michael's expertise in Sake and Japanese Spirits makes him an invaluable resource for brands looking to break into the U.S. market.

About Bartender Spirits Awards

The Bartender Spirits Awards aims to identify and celebrate the best spirits for the on-premise sector in the U.S. Under the tagline, "Judged By Bartenders, Bar Managers, and Buyers For The On-Premise Industry," the competition provides a platform for spirits brands to gain recognition in this highly competitive market.

The goal is to offer independent and honest reviews for spirits brands targeting the U.S. bar trade. The judging panel is made up of renowned bartenders, bar managers, and buyers with deep expertise in the on-premise industry. This makes the competition an essential resource for bartenders, bar managers, and bar owners when making purchasing decisions for their venues.

The Bartender Spirits Awards recognizes that bartenders are the true influencers in the spirits industry. Their tastes and trends often drive the creation of new drinks, and their recommendations help guide consumer choices. By understanding the preferences of bartenders and bar managers, spirits brands can position themselves more effectively in the U.S. market.

Why Enter the Bartender Spirits Awards?

Winning at the Bartender Spirits Awards gives brands a competitive edge by elevating their profile in the U.S. on-premise sector. This competition is a trusted source of reference for the industry’s decision-makers, and the recognition gained here can open doors to new partnerships and opportunities.

Nora Furst, John Granata, and Michael Bowles join a growing team of experts and ambassadors who are committed to highlighting exceptional spirits in their respective regions and categories. These individuals will bring valuable insights to help brands succeed at the Bartender Spirits Awards and beyond.

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Take Advantage of Super Early Bird Pricing

Submissions for the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards are now open, with a Super Early Bird pricing of just $175 per spirit available until October 31, 2024. This is an excellent opportunity for distilleries to showcase their products to a global audience and receive valuable feedback from industry experts.

Enter your spirits now to secure your place in the competition and take the first step towards international acclaim.

Both international and domestic wine submissions are now open. International wineries without U.S. importers will receive assistance with shipping and obtaining COLA waivers.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your brand and connect with key decision-makers in the wine industry.