Team New Zealand has won The Reid Cup after competing against bartenders from the UK and USA in the inaugural The Reid Global Cocktail Competition held in Cardrona Valley.

Harry Findlay from Londo in Christchurch won Best Bartender with his cocktail ‘Figet About It’. Paul Minea of Sofitel in London placed second with his cocktail ‘Barley and Kiwi’ and Michael Jones of Wellington’s Pravda placed third with ‘Tea & Biscuits’.

The competitors were chosen after bartenders from New Zealand, the UK and USA were invited to share a signature cocktail made with The Reid Single Malt Vodka. Three competition rounds, including a live regional final, narrowed the field to 12 bartenders who earned a spot on their country team for the Grand Final.

These 12 travelled to Cardrona Valley to compete for the championship title while representing their country. They prepared their signature cocktails on stage and were evaluated by a panel of expert judges from the UK, USA and New Zealand.

“The calibre of cocktails throughout this global competition was incredibly high,” says Desiree Reid, Founder and Managing Director of Cardrona Distillery. “We are truly impressed by everyone’s talent, the range of cocktail recipes presented and everyone’s love for The Reid.”