James Irvine has been named Australia’s 2025 World Class Bartender of the Year, taking out the prestigious title at the national finals.

Now in its 16th year, Diageo World Class gathered eight of the nation’s leading bartenders, including Aidan Perkins (Milquetoast, Brisbane), Darren Burton (Kiin, Adelaide), Darren Leaney (Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne), James Irvine (Merivale, Sydney), Lachlan Gunner (Trap, Adelaide), Samuel Cocks (Saint Peter, Sydney), Shirley Yeung (Foxtrot Unicorn, Perth) and Tom McHugh (Caretaker’s Cottage, Melbourne) to vie for the title.

Irvine, who is Group Creative Cocktail Lead at Merivale, took out the top title during the finals held at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, on June 30.

The competition unfolded across three challenges, with the finalists going head-to-head to showcase their skill, creativity, and speed behind the bar, hosted at House Made Hospitality’s two bars within the hotel, bar tilda and outdoor terrace Wentworth Bar. 

Among their tasks, bartenders journeyed through the legacy of Tequila Don Julio in ‘Celebration Curated’, a challenge that called for more than creativity, but demanded a deep understanding of the brand’s cultural significance. 

Each finalist created three cocktails, with one serve needing to hero Tequila Don Julio’s new 1942 Minis – the pinnacle of celebration and craftsmanship.

The remaining two serves were theirs to craft, drawing from the full spectrum of the Tequila Don Julio family.

Irvine created his winning serve ‘The Cake is in Tears’. Drawing on the decandence and luxury of weddings while being playful and light with the freshness of Feijoa and Yuzu citrate.

Irvine said: “This was my eighth time entering the competition, and it feels incredible to finally take out the title.

“I’ve drawn on the invaluable mentorship provided by Diageo Bar Academy year after year and have thouroughly enjoyed the creative experience, for almost a decade.

“Bartending is a creative art form, and World Class is the Oscars of bartending competitions, so to be recognised at this level is an absolute honour.”

Diageo Head of Trade Advocacy Kate McGraw said: “Each year, the Diageo World Class competition showcases exceptional talent, and 2025 was no exception.

“This year’s finalists highlighted exciting trends in Australian bartending—from innovative textural cocktails to refined serves celebrating local ingredients. Their creativity and craftsmanship are a powerful testament to the strength  of Australia’s drinks culture.

0All eight finalists delivered outstanding performances, but only one could be named Australian Bartender of the Year.

“James Irvine impressed us with his creativity and innovation, as well as his storytelling and charisma. We are proud to have him represent Australia at the Global Finals in Canada later this year.”

Irvine will now compete in the 2025 Diageo World Class Global Final, held in Toronto, Canada, from 27 September to 2 October.

There, Irvine will compete against representatives from over 55 other countries in a unique multi-format event and battle it out for the coveted title of 2025 Diageo World Class Global Bartender of the Year.

Following the competition, Sydney locals are invited to celebrate alongside the finalists and newly crowned winner on 1 July as Caretaker’s Cottage presents A Night In with Don Julio Tequila & Friends at bar tilda, Sofitel Wentworth Sydney.

Open to the public, guests will also have the chance to sip on the winning Don Julio cocktail.

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