As the national Patrón Perfectionists finals edge ever-closer, we wanted to take a moment to learn a little bit more about the top ten finalists competing for their spot in the global finals. For some, this is their first time participating in Patrón Perfectionists, while others are gunning for the top spot once more. In this special feature we’ll learn what it took to get this far, where inspiration lies, and delve into the hopeful sense of competition the entrants carry with them as all eyes turn to Mexico.

Get to Know 2021 Finalist Kolyn Brown:

Have you competed in Patrón Perfectionists before? If so, what was that experience like?
No!

What drew you to this competition?

Someone I really looked up to in our local bartending community, and someone that has inspired me to do better is Pete Hannah. He is a seasoned Perfectionist and he talked about Patrón a lot. I am so glad that I submitted and have come this far in learning about Patrón. Now I talk about Patrón a lot! 

How are you thinking of hospitality in a digital space?

Hospitality, to me, is all about making human connections and creating a comfortable space. So, honestly, it has been such a challenge to have conversations with my camera phone! It isn’t very receptive.

I have tried to host in other ways, in my setup and storytelling. I’ve realized how much my own connection to my community lends to my narrative and cocktail creation, so I focus on telling our story. 

What will it mean for you to go to Mexico for the Global Finals?
To witness firsthand all I’ve learned of the making of Patrón would be a dream. I am always trying to evolve and learn and see as much as I can. I don’t know if I could express the amazement and humble gratitude I would feel to be in the presence of such history, tradition, meticulous hard work, and breathtaking scenery. Certainly, I would never be the same.

Where did the name of your cocktail come from?

The Final Bell is a reference to the final bell of the year that released you from school for the summer as a kid. It symbolizes hope, and growth, and the beginning of a new chapter.

What was the inspiration for your cocktail?

With summer, brought reflection of the year that we endured together, and how it took a community to re-open and it still takes a community to work through it.

What does perfection mean to you?

Perfection is patience. It is a willingness to learn more and more and pay attention to the details. I try to do my very best in using what I’ve been given, remain open to inspiration, and continue to grow- knowing that I’ll never be finished.

“THE FINAL BELL” RECIPE

1 ¹⁄₂ oz Patrón Reposado
³⁄₄ oz Amontillado Sherry
³⁄₄ oz Raspberry Sugar Syrup
¹⁄₂ oz Fresh Lime Juice
5 drops Saline
3 dashes Angostura Bitters
Grapefruit Peel Express

METHOD

Combine all ingredients except for Grapefruit Peel into a set of shaker tins with ice and shake for 30- 40 seconds, or to about 25% dilution.

Double strain over a chilled Nick and Nora glass and express Grapefruit Peel over the glass.

Trim Grapefruit peel for garnish. Cut the garnish down the center, curl it into a circle, and rest on the side of the glass.

Get to Know 2021 Finalist Shawn Newman:

Have you ever competed in Patrón Perfectionists before? If so, what was that experience like?
I have not had the pleasure of competing in Patrón Perfectionists, but I have submitted before and did not make the cut.


What drew you to this competition?
Peter Hannah. This is his favorite competition and I was lucky enough to join him in New Orleans on year for his regional competition.


How are you thinking of hospitality in a digital space?
We have all had to adapt in ways that we could have never imagined. I was confused for a long time. Learning ways to keep our staff and guests safe while providing excellent service has been the most difficult part. In the end, we have all evolved into realizing the ​“digital world” is much more beneficial and useful than previously guessed.


What will it mean for you to go to Mexico for the Global Finals?
The absolute world. This is as close to The Olympics as it gets in the hospitality industry. Making the Top 10 in the country along side four of my friends has already been a humbling accomplishment, but representing my country in Mexico would be indescribable.


Where did the name of your cocktail come from?
Stage Presence came from a meeting we recently had where we presented to the staff how we are always on stage at work. Meaning, to act as if someone is always watching.


What was the inspiration for your cocktail?
The inspiration for my cocktail stems from the meeting we had about Stage Presence, but mine goes further than that. Being behind the bar, you are on stage. Well, I am a manager, father, and a son so I am always being watched or ​“on stage.” Our presence effects everyone in the room. For better or worse.


What does perfection mean to you?
To me, perfection is an individual’s success attained by hard work and discipline. We all must fail before succeeding and obtaining perfection.

“STAGE PRESENCE” RECIPE

2 dash Saline Solution 4:1
.5oz Lime Juice
.75oz Honey Syrup 3:1
.25oz Pineapple Juice
.5oz Bombay Bramble Blackberry and Raspberry Gin
1.5oz Patrón Silver
4 – 6 Sage Leaves

METHOD

Combine all ingredients into mixing tin, starting with sage, saline, honey syrup, then juices, followed by Bombay Bramble, and finishing with Patrón Silver.


Add ice, and shake vigorously until properly chilled and diluted.

Fine or double strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass. Enjoy.

Get to Know 2021 Finalist Peter Hannah:

Have you competed in Patrón Perfectionists before? If so, what was that experience like?
Yes, in 2018 I was lucky enough to be in the grand Finals in Mexico and then in 2019 I was in the National Finals. It’s a great experience and being in Mexico surrounded by like minded bartenders was great.

What drew you to this competition?
I’m drawn to brands and comps that share my values. I like the camaraderie and the ethos of the Patron family and I’ve always found it to be a supportive community of people which is great. I also like competitions that allow me to challenge myself creatively, tell stories that are important to me and do things I’ve never done before.

How are you thinking of hospitality in a digital space?
I don’t think you need a bartop or a table to be hospitable. In a way it’s a shame people separate hospitality as an industry from just being nice and doing the right thing towards others in all facets of life. The medium is irrelevant, the goal just has to be to make people who come into contact with you to leave a little happier than when they first appeared. If everyone did that the world would be a better place.

What will it mean for you to go to Mexico for the Global Finals?
The world. The Hacienda is a special, special place and I don’t take for granted the fact that I’ve been there before. To be able to have another crack at it would be a true blessing.

Where did the name of your cocktail come from?
My cocktail is called Forever Sun. It’s inspired by sustainability and the notion that we can preserve what we have through careful, responsible, collective choices.

What was the inspiration for your cocktail?

In Central Florida in the late 1500s the Spanish Explorer Ponce De Leon arrived, looking for the Fountain of Youth. Virtually every culture and Civilization in history has a similar story. What makes the quest so appealing to us is the notion of being able to recapture something that we fear losing. I think it’s a metaphor in the modern world for the importance of sustainability and closed loop/​renewable practices. I wanted to reimagine the quest for the Fountain of Youth here in Central Florida, but with a bent towards Sustainability as the driving force.

What does perfection mean to you?

Perfection is an unattainable goal that should keep you getting up in the morning and trying to get closer to it. It’s a rising glass ceiling, a Pagoda with unlimited floors with each successive floor providing further opportunity for development.

“FOREVER SUN” RECIPE

1.5oz Patrón Silver Tequila
0.5oz Martini Bianco Vermouth
1oz Fresh Green Apple Juice (Ideally Granny Smith)
0.75 Celery Syrup (1:1 Celery Juice from Celery Stalks and White Caster Sugar by weight)
0.5 Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
1oz India Pale Ale (IPA) Beer
Mint (Garnish)

METHOD

Add Tequila, Bianco, Lemon Juice, Celery Syrup & Apple Juice to a tall glass.

Add crushed ice and then swizzle mixture with swizzle stick/​spoon for 8 – 10 seconds until the glass is nice and frosty.

Top with an ounce of IPA and then add more crushed ice to top the drink.

Insert a generous louche of mint and a straw and enjoy.

Make sure you tag along for the rest of the Perfectionists’ journey by following us on Instagram @academia_patron and cheering on these talented bartenders during the live viewing of the National Finals in October. Exact time to come, so stay tuned!