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ONE of Edinburgh’s leading bartenders has beaten off tough competition to take home first place at the fourth annual Great Honkaku Shochu & Awamori Contest, organised by the UK Bartenders’ Guild and sponsored by the Japanese Sake & Shochu Makers Association.

Fabio Di Silvestro, general manager and bartender at the highly rated Old Pal Bar & Kitchen in Edinburgh’s Haymarket, faced off against twelve shortlisted finalists at The Blind Pig, The Bar Upstairs at Sael on Monday 10th March.

He took home the top prize of a trip to Japan, to hone his skills even further with the experts in the Japanese spirit industry.

Fabio’s entry, the Yabukita Snap, shot to first place with its unique narrative and its impressive presentation.

When asked about his win and the competition as a whole, Fabio said: “Winning the Honkaku Shochu & Awamori competition, organized by UKBG and JSS, is an incredible honor, and I am deeply grateful for the recognition. This year’s competition challenged us to step out of our comfort zones, using unfamiliar ingredients and working with a whole category as a spirit base meant an immersive research process.

“For me, this led to the creation of a drink inspired by Japan’s beloved Bamboo cocktail. I wanted to celebrate the complexity and richness of Shochu, a spirit that combines elements of both whisky and sake, and pair it with the beautiful flavors of Yabukita tea from Kyushu island.

“The process of crafting this drink—exploring different ingredients, flavors, and techniques—was a true labor of love. It was about combining tradition with innovation, and showcasing the versatility of Shochu in a way that feels both familiar and exciting.

“I’m proud to have had the opportunity to share this drink with others and look forward to seeing where this journey takes me.”

The winning cocktail, which featured Takara Shirashinken, Tomatin Whisky and Yakubita Fino, brings together explosions of Japanese-inspired flavour to create a truly unique winning entry.

Sam Chatterji, who bartends at Bittersweet in Leith, was the second runner up, using Chuko Yokka Koji Awamori, Kirin’s Lychee and Okinawan Sea Salt, Everleaf Marine, and Champagne Sumac Cordial in his drink, the Barefoot Breezer.

Jordan Cornelius, bartender at Below Stairs in Leeds, was the third runner up, using Shirayuki Honkaku Barley Shochu, Genmaicha roasted rice green tea soda, Fino sherry, Elderflower Liquor, Amaro Averna, Ms. Better’s Bitters Grapefruit, and Ms. Better’s Bitters Miraculous Foamer to create his drink, A Third Place.

Claudia Carrozzi, President of the UK Bartenders Guild said: “Every year we are impressed by the entry submissions for the annual Great Honkaku Shochu & Awamori Contest, and this year was no exception.

“The creations that we saw at this year’s contest were totally unique, embodying the spirit of their creators and with nods to Japanese influence, and showcased once again the creativity that is present within the industry.

“At the UKBG, we’re committed to strengthening our sector with talented mixologists and bartenders across the country and continuing to grow the sector with the best talent around. We are very much looking forward to next year’s competition.”