USBG Kicks off the U.S. leg of the BACARDI Legacy Global Cocktail Competition with first round of competition during Portland Cocktail Week

CORAL GABLES, Fla., Oct. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- BACARDI^® rum, the world's best-selling and most awarded rum, is proud to work with the United States Bartenders Guild (USBG) as it kicks off the fifth annual Legacy Cocktail Showcase, the U.S. leg of the BACARDI Legacy Global Cocktail Competition. The U.S. showcase, sponsored by BACARDI rum, is an opportunity for the best contemporary bartenders to become immortalized by creating the next great "legacy drink." For the first time ever, USBG brought contestants from across the U.S. to Portland, Oregon, where they showcased their "legacy" cocktails in front of esteemed judges and an audience of their peers.

Last night, Junior Ryan of Portland, Oregon, Joe Frade of Portland, Oregon and Trevor Alberts of Miami, Florida were awarded spots in the National Finals slated to take place in Miami, Florida, in February 2015. From a pool of 55 entrants from across the nation, eight worthy craftsman were selected to present their personal creations at "leftbank annex" near Portland's Pearl District. The "leftbank annex" is an extension of the leftbank project, which was created to provide work space for the passionate people of Portland's mission-focused community.  A former machine shop that served the country's World War II effort, "leftbank annex" was carefully chosen for its embodiment of the untameable spirit, a kindred trait celebrated by the BACARDI brand.

Ryan, Frade and Alberts' creations were selected for their balance, flavor, quality of ingredients and aesthetic appeal by a panel of judges with strong ties to the craft cocktail community including: BACARDI Senior Brand Master Willie Ramos; Chad George of the USBG; 2014 BACARDI Legacy winner Naomi Levy; and Bacardi global director of trade advocacy Jacob Briars.

In the coming weeks, USBG will hold regional showcases in New York and Los Angeles in order to name the six additional semi-finalists who will join the Portland winners at the U.S. finals of the BACARDI Legacy Global Cocktail Competition where they will compete for a chance to present their "legacy cocktail" in the global showcase in Sydney, Australia, in May of 2015.

The Legacy showcase has grown to become a world-renowned event, with nearly 40 bartenders representing countries across the globe including the United States, United Kingdom, Africa, European Union and Asia. The global winner will receive year-long support to further his/her career as a bartender by creating experiences tailored to meet his/her goals. For one year, the global winning cocktail will be served by the winning bartender at some of the finest bars in the world, alongside other iconic classics including the Original BACARDI Mojito, the Original BACARDI Daiquiri and the Original BACARDI Cuba Libre.

Bartenders based on the east and west coasts can submit to participate in the showcases taking place in New York and Los Angeles at chilledmagazine.com/legacy/.

About BACARDI Rums
In 1862, BACARDI revolutionized the spirits industry when founder Don Facundo Bacardi Masso began producing his remarkable light-bodied, smooth rum. The unique taste of BACARDI inspired cocktail pioneers to invent some of the world's most famous drink recipes including the Mojito, the Daiquiri, the Cuba Libre, the Pina Colada, and the Presidente.  BACARDI rum has won more than 550 awards for quality and taste making it the world's most awarded rum.  Today, BACARDI rum is produced in Puerto Rico, following the production legacy set forth by Don Facundo Bacardi Masso – crafted in a five step distillation process, mellowed in American white oak barrels, and filtered five times for unparalleled quality and smoothness. For additional information, visit http://www.Bacardi.com.

The BACARDI® brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

Press Contact:
Jennifer Mestayer
Zeno Group
212-299-8976 / [email protected]

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@2014. BACARDI, BACARDI UNTAMEABLE AND THE BAT DEVICE ARE TRADEMARKS OF BACARDI & COMPANY LIMITED.

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