Mike Dojcsak from Ontario, Canada wins the inaugural El Dorado Rum Heritage Cocktail Competition

Georgetown, August 23, 2024 - Mike Dojcsak, representing Bar Sazerac in Ontario, Canada, has emerged victorious, showcasing exceptional creativity, and skills at the El Dorado Rum Heritage Cocktail Competition held at the Demerara Distillers Limited’s Demerara Rum Heritage Centre on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

The competition, which attracted top bartenders from around the world, was a celebration of the art of cocktail making and the unique flavours of El Dorado Rum. The first round of the competition provided bartenders from US, UK, Ontario Canada, and Guyana, with the opportunity to capture their journey and interpretation of the brand's heritage, which dates to 1670. Following regional heats conducted in these countries, five outstanding finalists from the UK, US, Canada, and Guyana met in Georgetown, Guyana for the Global Finals. These bartenders are Mike Dojcsak (Ontario, Canada), Flavio Francis (Georgetown, Guyana), Jonathan Sierra (Bristol, UK), Jamie Wolfe (California, USA) and Daniel Reiger (New York, USA).

At the Global Finals the competitors were judged on two cocktail submissions: the first required them to recreate their cocktail from the regional heats and for the second submission, they were tasked with developing a serve using ingredients from the Guyanese market and made with one of the El Dorado Single Still Rums (El Dorado Single Still Enmore, El Dorado Single Still Port Mourant and El Dorado Single Still Versailles)

In a tightly contested competition, Dojcsak impressed the judges with his cocktail creations, showcasing an innovative blend of ingredients, a harmonious balance of flavours, and a tribute to both the heritage of El Dorado Rum and his own cultural roots. The competitors were judged on visual appeal, taste/balance of flavour, creativity and originality, brand synergy and suitability and Cocktail names.

The Global Finals of the El Dorado Rum Heritage Cocktail Competition was tasted and judged by renowned industry professionals Sandrae Lawrence, co-founder of award-winning publication The Cocktail Lovers, Sly Augustin from Trailer Happiness and Sharon Sue-Hang Baksh, Master Blender of Demerara Distillers Limited.

The El Dorado Rum Heritage Cocktail Competition marks a significant milestone for the brand as it continues to engage with the global bartending community and celebrate the timeless appeal of its world-renowned rums.