Meet the Winners of the Better with Black Label Cocktail Competition

Great cocktails start with great stories, and the Better with Black Label Cocktail Competition challenged top bartenders to bring both to life. Across eight cities, competitors were invited to push the boundaries of what a Johnnie Walker Black Label cocktail can be by creating an original cocktail that showcased the versatility of the iconic 12-year-old blended Scotch through inventive flavors, techniques, and cocktail styles.

The competition extended beyond the glass. Rooted in Johnnie Walker’s “Keep Walking” ethos, which celebrates personal journeys of progress, competitors were tasked to share the story behind their cocktail and how it reflected their personal progress journey that shaped their craft. A panel of 21 industry leaders, including Adam Fournier, a Los Angeles-based bar director and former World Class U.S. winner; Kyler Nolan, bar manager at Death & Co. New York; and Calvin Marty, owner of Best Intentions in Chicago, selected winners in each city based not only on the originality and quality of their cocktails, but also on the stories they told. Every competitor received support from Johnnie Walker Ambassadors throughout the program, while nine winners earned a one-on-one mentorship experience with Johnnie Walker Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker. 

Without further ado, let’s raise a glass to this year’s winners.