St. Louis Cocktail Competition - Where Brands Meet the Best Behind the Bar 

The St. Louis Cocktail Competition is more than a battle for the best cocktail—it is a premier industry showcase designed to put participating spirits directly into the hands of talented bartenders, respected whiskey professionals, and influential decision-makers. Held as part of the St. Louis Bourbon & Cocktail Festival, one of the country's largest spirits events, the competition gives supplier brands an opportunity to demonstrate how their products perform where it matters most: in the glass.

Competing suppliers are challenged to showcase creativity, technique, balance, presentation, and—most importantly—the featured spirit itself, giving suppliers exposure that goes far beyond a traditional tasting table. The competition is evaluated by a carefully selected panel of accomplished distillers, master blenders, brand leaders, whiskey authorities, and hospitality professionals, bringing national industry experience to the judging table and helping establish St. Louis as an increasingly important destination for bourbon and cocktail culture.

Guiding the competition is STL Barkeep, an experienced St. Louis cocktail bar and event company established in 2017 that works with professional bartenders and renowned local mixologists and specializes in craft cocktails, beverage strategy, and premium event experiences.

Together, the St. Louis Bourbon & Cocktail Festival, its supplier partners, nationally respected judges, competing bartenders, and STL Barkeep are creating a competition with a larger purpose: celebrating the craft of the cocktail, showcasing exceptional spirits, elevating talented bartenders, and putting St. Louis on the national map as a serious destination for bourbon, whiskey, and cocktail innovation.

Best Overall: Ben Holladay Taking home the top honor, Ben Holladay delivered a cocktail that captured the judges' hearts and palates. Your dedication to the craft and exceptional execution set the bar incredibly high. Congratulations on this well-deserved win!

Best Presentation: Yellowstone Bourbon - Espresso Martini Yellowstone Bourbon proved that presentation is an art form, crafting an Espresso Martini that was as stunning to behold as it was delicious to sip. Your attention to detail and visual creativity was simply extraordinary! 

Most Original Cocktail: Bare Wood Spirits Innovation at its finest! Bare Wood Spirits' Morning Wood, Maple Old Fashioned pushed boundaries and took us on a flavor journey we didn't see coming. Your bold creativity and willingness to think outside the barrel earned you this special recognition.