Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) has announced the Top Four Finalists for International Bartender of the Year at the 18th annual Spirited Awards, with Australian Luke Whearty among them.

Whearty opened BYRDI in Melbourne in 2019 with partner Aki Nishikura. The duo were behind Singapore’s multi award-winning — and World’s 50 Best Bars regular — Operation Dagger.

“BYRDI was born out of a desire to adapt to our environment. To take culture and cuisine, inspiration and idea, and make it our own. No matter what city we make home,” Whearty explains.

Tucked into a food precinct called Ella, the bar features its own lab, which is used to create the unique ingredients that are fermented, distilled and even centrifuged into highly complex, delicious drinks.

The Spirited Awards is one of the industry’s most revered awards, recognising beverage professionals, products, and establishments across every facet of the spirits and cocktail community on a global scale.

The winners will be announced in New Orleans during Tales of the Cocktail from July 21-26, 2024.

“It is with immense pleasure that we celebrate those propelling the cocktail industry forward and amplifying their craft within their respective communities,” said Charlotte Voisey, Spirited Awards Overall Chair.

“Their love-affair with hospitality and dedication to advancing the industry is awe-inspiring. We are excited to celebrate and honor them at the 18th annual Spirited Awards.”

Whearty is up against Lorenzo Antinori from Bar Leone in Hong Kong; Kate Boushel from Atwater Cocktail Club, Milky Way Cocktail Bar and Bon Délire in Montreal, Canada; and Eric van Beek from Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City, Mexico. He is the only Australian to make it through to the Top Four Finalists list.

Aussies dominate 2024 Spirited Awards nominations