Nick Drinks is pleased to announce the 2nd year of the Golden Jigger Awards. The mission of the awards is to recognize the great work done by Metro Detroit’s Bartenders, Locations, Events and Brands over 2019. It was a great year for the industry and there are far more people responsible for the success of the region. We thank everyone for their hard work.

This year, awards were nominated by Nick Drinks and public  based on capabilities, knowledge and service. To select the winners, a combination of public vote, Industry/Media panel and the Nick Drinks staff will make the final decision.  ​​Voting is live now and will remain open until December 1st, 2019 at midnight. Everyone is welcome to vote once in the public vote. The Industry/Media panel is a cross section of the leaders in the industry from food/beverage media and hospitality focused groups:

Better on Draft, Bitter Detroit, Brew Export, Chartreuse/Oakland, Cocktail Detroit, Daily Detroit, Detroit Cocktail Camp, Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Detroit Optimist Society, Drinks with Destiny, Eater, Great Lakes Wine & Spirits, Greater Detroit USBG Board, Grey Ghost/Second Best Bar, Hungry Dudes, Mabel Gray, Man Cave Happy Hour, Michigan Tea/Coffee Week, Michigan Craft Beverage Council, Royce/Marrow/Mink, Sazerac Company, Standby/Skip/Deluxx Fluxx, Tammy’s Tasting, William Grant and Sons, Willis Show Bar, Working Class Outlaws, & Yelp.

A number of sponsors have helped make this event possible:

• Autentico Nativo Rum sponsoring the Best Bartender Award
• Becherovka and JP Wisers sponsoring the Best Whiskey Program Award
• Coppercraft Distillery sponsoring the Best Retail Program Award
• Amaro Montenegro of E&J Gallo is sponsoring Best Wine Program Award
• Mover & Shaker Co is sponsoring, developed the logo, provided a custom pin and is presenting an award.
• Old Nation Brewing Company sponsoring the Best Beer Program Award.
• Watershed Distillery sponsoring the Best Non-Alcoholic Program Award
• Wheatly Vodka sponsoring the Best Bar Award

The categories and nominees are as follows:

• Best Bartender (presented by Autentico Nativo Rum) – Giancarlo Aversa, Jorge Cherriz, Roger Fruin, Tara Jagodinski, Bin Khulayf, Melissa Kim, Shelby Minnix, John Neely, Katrell Thomas, & Chas Williams
• Best Beer Program (presented by Old Nation Brewery) – Ale Mary’s Beer Hall, Clubhouse BFD, Grand Trunk Pub, Mudgie’s Deli & Wine Shop, and One Eyed Betty’s
• Best Beverage Event – Detroit Cocktail Camp, Detroit Cocktail Classic 2019, Detroit Whisky Festival IV 2019, Michigan Brewers Guild 11th Annual Fall Festival, and Miracle Pop-Up
• Brewery of the Year – Batch Brewing, Odd Side Ales, Old Nation Brewing Co, River’s Edge Brewing Co, & Royal Oak Brewery
• Best Cicerone – Peter Bruno, Annette May, Mike Turriff, Bobby Vedder, and Gregg Wilmes
• Best Bar (Presented by Wheatley Vodka) – Evening Bar, Hammer & Nail, Kiesling, The Last Word, The Library, Lost River, Monarch Club, Mutiny Bar, Standby, and The Sugar House
• Best Brand Support – Banhez Mezcal, Campari Group, Copper & Kings Distillery, Watershed Distillery, and William Grant & Sons
• Distillery of the Year (presented by Mover & Shaker Co) – Coppercraft Distillery, Detroit City Distillery, Long Road Distillers, Traverse City Whiskey Co, and Two James Spirits
• Best Brand Launch – Casamara Club, Copper Queen Whiskey, Eastern Kille, Glyph Molecular Whiskey and Lake Life
• Best Non-Alcoholic Program (presented by Watershed Distillery) – Castalia, Lost River, M Cantina, Smith & Co, and Standby
• Best Retail Venue (Presented by Coppercraft Distillery) – 8 Degrees Plato, Holiday Market, Kako’s Market, Motor City Wine and Tippins Market
• Best Sommelier – Caitlin Payne Buquet, Catherine Kurth, Gerry Baker, Michael “Mick” Descamps, and Liz Martinez.
• Best Tea or Coffee Program – Anthology Coffee, Astro Coffee, Eli Tea, Madcap Coffee and The Red Hook.
• Best Whiskey Program (Presented by JP Wisers & Bechervoka) – Butter Run Saloon, The Last Word, Standby, Sugar House & Thomas Magee’s
• Best Wine Program (Presented by Amaro Montenegro) – Michigan by the Bottle, Motor City Wine Bar, Paramita Sound, Prime & Proper, and The Royce
• Winery of the Year – Big Little Wines, Mari Vineyards, Mawby, St. Julian Winery and Youngblood Vineyard

On December 8th, 2018 at 7pm EST there will be a live awards ceremony at Detroit Shipping Company in Detroit. Buy tickets here.

Please contact me if you would like to get more information about the event or set-up an interview. nick@nickdrinks.com. Good luck everyone.