In Photos: The Bacardí Legacy Cocktail Competition at Casa Loma

After several heats in the regional competitions, the Canadian finals of the Bacardí Legacy Cocktail Competition took place on March 23, 2015. The competition was held at a secret location, later revealed to be the historic Casa Loma in Toronto. Over two hundred guests watched as the eight rum bartenders created their signature cocktails made with either Bacardí Superior rum or Bacardí Carta Oro rum.

Each guest was given a badge in support of one of the eight finalists. As each bartender took the stage, their cocktails were served to their supporters in the crowd, identified by their badges. The rest of the time, you could order from a selection of Bacardí cocktails being served at two different bars. There and on the stage, the beautiful new Bacardí bottles were on showcase; the new design borrows from contemporary cues while keeping a heritage feel, and was produced in collaboration with bartenders.

The final eight hailed from all over Canada. From Toronto, there was Alana Nogueda with her cocktail ‘A Night In Santiago’, Simon Hooper with his cocktail ‘Behind The Bat’, and Evelyn Chick with her cocktail ‘Just in Thyme’.

: Toronto finalist Alana Nogueda | Cocktail: A Night In Santiago

: Toronto finalist Simon Hooper | Cocktail: Behind The Bat

: Toronto finalist Evelyn Chick | Cocktail: Just in Thyme

Hailing from Montreal was Drahos Chytry with his cocktail ‘Bayamo’. From Halifax the contenders were Jeffrey Van Horne with ‘The Stepping Stone’, and Shane Beehan with ‘Golden Glow’.

: Montreal finalist Drahos Chytry | Cocktail: Bayamo

: Halifax finalist Jeffrey Van Horne | Cocktail: The Stepping Stone

: Halifax finalist Shane Beehan | Cocktail: Golden Glow

From the west, Mike Shum represented Vancouver with the cocktail ‘Chan Chan’, and Jimmy Nguyen representing Calgary with his cocktail ‘Cuban Cola’.

: Vancouver finalist and Bacardi Legacy Winner Mike Shum | Cocktail: Chan Chan

: Calgary finalist Jimmy Nguyen | Cocktail: Cuban Cola

Each spoke passionately about their inspirations, what “legacy” means to them, and the impact their cocktails have made on social media and at bars and industry events. The cocktails were sampled by a panel of esteemed judges, who in the end crowned Vancouverite Mike Shum the Canadian champion for his cocktail – the Chan Chan. The beautiful winning cocktail used Bacardí white rum and was garnished with an edible flower.