Announcing the Judges of the Chilled 100 Spirits Awards
By Chilled Magazine
The Chilled 100 Spirits Awards Judges are a group of well-respected, educated, experienced, skilled, and some of the most talented working bartenders in the business today.
Be sure to enter your spirits brands into the Chilled 100 Spirits Awards to get your brand in front of today’s top bartenders who are also a bar’s decision-makers, trendsetters, brand suggesters and storytellers. Earning a Bartender Seal of Approval lets other bartenders know that your brand is a must have behind the bar, and that its quality is backed 100% by our highly skilled Chilled 100 Bartenders Group. Our Chilled 100 Points system speaks to other bartenders as well. Brands can also earn Emblems of Excellence for category excellence in Women Owned Brands, Breakout Brands, Sustainability, Packaging, etc.
We are proud to share this year’s judging team. For their full bios and additional information, please visit Chilled100spiritsawards.com or click here!
Aaron Joseph
@ajzjoseph
Beverage consultant, Vice President Rum Club Baltimore, CRT and WSET 2 certified, Authentic Caribbean Rum Certification, Cognac Experience Certification, award-winning bartender.
Alexandra Bowler
@tincture_bell
Lead bartender, James Beard Award Winner Outstanding Bar Program, Women in Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, Court of Master Sommeliers Certified, Certified Sherry Specialist.
Ariel Neal
@leiraknowscocktails
VP USBG, Chicago, Owner of Leira Knows Cocktails & Events, Co-Creator of Good Vibes Healing Haven, Sponsor Chair for Sip of Paradise. Holds 2 Whiskey Certifications, CRT, Whiskey University, Pisco training/certification BTI, and many other aspects of spirits education.
Austin Foster
@dram_shame
Bartender for 15+ years, WSET (Level 3 Spirits), EWA Grants Scotch Whisky Diploma, Canadian Whiskey Certified, American Whiskey/Moonshine University Certified, Rum and Agave Certified, Proficient in Brandies.
Brad Coburn
@refined.bar_barian
Bar owner and Principal Bartender Pangea Alchemy Lab, founder of Sarasota Network of Bartenders, mentor, educator, and innovator in the beverage and hospitality community.
Chandler Tomayko
@thechefwithredshoes
Bartender and Chef for 20+ years, founded industry favorite, Heard Card Game. Certified in Bourbon, Scotch and Canadian Whiskies. Highly trained palate, proficient in tasting spirits.
Christina Mercado
@ShakeStirPour
Founder ShakeStirPour, M.B.A in Hospitality, A.S. and B.S. in Culinary Arts, Developer Master Mixology Cocktail Class, CSWS Sherry and CRT Tequila Certified.
David Leon Jr.
@artsybartender
Caribbean rum and whiskey expert, Executive Whiskey Steward Certification Stave & Thieves, Canadian Whiskey Certification, Tequila Producers Certification.
Dustin Haarstad
@dustinhaarstad
Bar owner and Founder of Blind Tiger Cocktail Company, Certified Spirits Profession, Certified Mezcaler Level ll Cicerone, celebrated bartender Canon: Whiskey and Bitters Emporium.
Emma Alexander
Garvey Alexander
Jon Mateer
@vodkapaysmybills
Food & Beverage manager, Founder of the Bardtenders podcast, Diploma in Scotch Edinburgh Whisky Society and Canadian Whisky, CSWS Sherry, WSET Level 1 Spirits.
Lauren Castano
@Loveintequila
Bartender for 20+ years, CRT Award T Certification. Tequila specialist and educator. Agave educator—hosts private tastings and educational events.
Maxwell Berlin
Monniquer Peacock
@Topshelfpeacock
Top D.C. rep in Power of the Palate Competition, Makers Mark “Made to Be” recipient. WSET Level 3 certified in tasting. Competed courses in Brandy, Bourbon, Wine, Tequila. Educator in Blind Tasting events.
Moses Laboy
@Running_bartender
Corporate Beverage Director, Member of Court Master of Sommeliers, Named one of the top 10 Mixologist in the World and top 3 NYC Mixologists. Has created and served beverages for two U.S. Presidents!
Nico Martini
@Texaswhiskeybook
Bestselling author, co-founder Bar Draught. Spirits judge, announcer, and top participator in various trainings, tastings of spirits, and industry events including BevCon, San Antonio Cocktail Conference, Bar Institute for 15+ years. And Yes—Martini IS his real last name!
Nigal Vann
@nigalofalltrade
Founder Vannity Cocktails, mentor, educator, Beverage Tasting Institute Spirit Moderator, Hospitality Management certified, American Whiskey Steward, Moonshine University.
Paula Lukas
@paulalukas27
Beverage consultant, bar manager, Certification in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Certificate in Beverage Excellence, Bartender Spirits Awards, Best Global Bartending Talent.
Pedro Nivar
@Musicka.1
Pedro, the manager of Jacob Pickles Dumbo beverage program, has a wealth of knowledge in American and Scotch whiskeys, having attended numerous classes. He has also completed the Anti-waste/Sustainability certification at Portland Cocktail week, which he utilizes to improve industry programs.
Robin Wolf
@slobitterco
Bar owner and Certified Spirits Professional, Certified Sommelier and Cicerone, mentor, expert in locally focused and sustainable mixology.
SC Baker
@thecuckoochanel
Tara Gillum
@badgirlgoodcocktails
Bartender for 20+ years with award-winning resume. Name Entrepreneur of the Year and recognized as one of the country’s top owners/operators. Hops and Heels Blog creator, proficient in guided tasting events; mixology, syrups, and bitters educator at Ohio University. Cicerone and recently immersed in learning about all things agave.





