Rules
Where: Dante’s, Clifton
When: Tuesday, September 29th, 2026
Competitors Arrival: 6:30pm
Competition Run Time: 7-10pm
Format
- Up to 25 bartenders (can sign up in advance or sign-up in person)
o Accounts should be carrying Elijah Craig to compete.
o Account must be signed up for Old Fashioned Week https://oldfashionedweek.com/
- 3 Rounds
o Round 1- Old vs New Fashioned
§ Judges Portion
· Bartenders come up two at a time and make their OLD FASHIONED and NEW FASHIONED cocktails for the judges
· Bartenders will make 2 full-sized, cocktails for the OLD and NEW FASHIONED. 1 will be split up into 3-sample cups for the judges to try. 1 will be used for photography purposes.
· Bartenders will have 5 minutes to prepare their drinks and 1 minute to present to the judges. (With 25 competitors we will be staying strict with this timing. Excessive time taken during your roudn may result in DQ)
· Bartenders are Scored on Flavor/Balance, Appearance, and Brand Connectivity
· Top 3 scores advance to second round.
o Round 2- Crowd Vote
§ Crowd Vote
· Bartenders will also prepare a small batch (24 oz of either their NEW or OLD FASHIONED recipe for the crowd to sample. Guests will use QR code to vote for their favorite.
· Votes will be tallied prior to final round
§ Cocktail Constraints
· “Old Fashioned”
o In essence, must contain SPIRIT (Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon or Rye,) SUGAR, BITTERS, DILUTION served in a rocks glass over ice/large ice or chilled up in a coupe.
o Must have a garnish
o Must use Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon/Rye
§ Contestants can split-base with other Heaven Hill spirits. At least 1 oz must be Elijah Craig
o Must be stirred
o No muddling. No shaking.
· “NEW Fashioned”
o In essence, must contain SPIRIT, SUGAR, BITTERS, DILUTION
o Must use either Elijah Craig Bourbon/Rye, Lunazul Tequila (Blanco/Repo,) Larceny Bourbon, or Vago Verde Mezcal
§ Contestants are allowed to split-base
o Can be muddled. Can be shaken.
o Can be served in ANY vessel.
§ “Will we judge you for muddling or shaking? Probably! So you better be ready to defend your choices to the judges.”
o FINAL ROUND- Mystery Basket
§ Top 3 bartenders from round 1 will compete head to head to head
§ Their task is to craft an Old Fashioned using Elijah Craig and at least 2 of the mystery ingredients. They will make a single cocktail for the judges to sample
§ NEW or OLD Fashioned builds will be accepted. Though it should still fit what an OLD FASHIONED is.
§ Bartenders go up together. Scored on Flavor/Balance, Appearance, and Brand Connectivity.