Buffalo Trace Cocktail Competition -NEXT POUR- Final Held!!
Meidi-ya held a cocktail competition for the bourbon 'Buffalo Trace,' with young bartender Kento Kamiguchi taking the championship.
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- 📰 Published: March 27, 2026 at 23:57
- 🔍 Collected: March 28, 2026 at 21:59 (22h 2m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 01:10 (411h 11m after Collected)
Meidi-ya Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo) held the 'BUFFALO TRACE COCKTAIL COMPETITION -NEXT POUR- THE FINAL' on Thursday, February 19, 2026, featuring the premium bourbon whiskey 'Buffalo Trace.'
This competition was planned under the theme of 'Tradition and Innovation,' aiming to discover and provide a stage for the next generation of young bartenders, while also creating a 'future signature cocktail' that will be enjoyed for decades to come.
Following a preliminary round (Instagram post screening) that received numerous entries from across the country, 10 finalists were selected to present their original cocktails using Buffalo Trace.
The judging was conducted comprehensively based on 'cocktail concept,' 'feasibility,' 'innovation,' and 'presentation,' with the greatest emphasis placed on 'taste and balance.'
As a result of the rigorous judging, Kento Kamiguchi was crowned the winner and became the BUFFALO TRACE COCKTAIL COMPETITION champion.
The winning cocktail is 'Timeless Shift'
By incorporating nuances of fermentation, a creative approach was used to draw out new possibilities for 'Buffalo Trace.'
Mr. Kamiguchi will serve as a 'Buffalo Trace Ambassador' for one year, and guest shifts at top bars across the country are also planned.
Details regarding the competition and the finalists' cocktails are featured in an event report by industry media.
▶ After-report article: https://www.bar-times.com/contents/154809/
*This article is published with permission from the media outlet.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the more than 130 bartenders from across the country who entered the competition with their highly creative cocktails.
【About Buffalo Trace】
A premium bourbon whiskey characterized by fruity aromas of orange and apricot, in addition to vanilla and honey, with a rich flavor from long-term aging and a mellow finish.
The Buffalo Trace Distillery, founded in 1755, is the oldest continuously operating distillery in the United States and the most award-winning distillery in the world.
Guided by the philosophy of 'respecting tradition and embracing change'...