The public has spoken: with 1630 votes, Oscar LaFuente takes home the title of Ultimate Rum-Bartender 2024. The Spaniard won the distinction against an outstanding group of 25 bartenders from different countries who gave their all to win the contest organized by The Ultimate Awards.
Lafuente stood out from the start for his charismatic videos with which he managed to move his followers to award him the top prize. Originally from Soria, but settled in the Canary Islands more than 15 years ago, Lafuente trained as a professional bartender and his passion, dedication and charisma made him become a global ambassador for Destilerías Arehucas and its flagship product: Arehucas Rum.
In addition, this bartender works as a Hecansa teacher, collaborates in the Basque Culinary Center’s cocktail master’s degree, advises restaurants and bars, is a Food & Drinks ambassador for the Isla Awards and promotes the Arecas Top Bartender championship, which recognizes the creativity of the new generations of bartenders.
But all these occupations did not dampen his desire to become the Best Bartender with Ron 2024, so he used to be seen exuding energy, joy and immense love for his craft in every Instagram story in which he incited his followers to vote. For Néstor Parra, one of the competition’s organizers, Lafuente’s hard work clearly paid off.
Uruguay also wins a prize
While Lafuente ran an effective media campaign, Uruguay’s Gastón Santandreu surprised the judges of the competition who decided to recognize him for running the best campaign to promote the contest, and that was not only evident in the number of “likes” he received on the competition’s Instagram: @ultimateawards.
Santandreu is another rum enthusiast and is considered the driving force behind Tiki Cocktails in Uruguay. This bartender acts as a bar consultant, creator of themed menus, speaker at cocktail events in Latin America and teacher and consultant for Tiki cocktail courses in Uruguay and Argentina.
The panel of judges was made up of renowned figures in the restaurant and hospitality industry: Danilo Oribe, Néstor Parra, Pablo Mosquera, José Manuel Antelo, Federico Hernández and Francisco “Don Pancho” Fernández.
An unprecedented vote
In more than two years of contests, The Ultimate Awards recognizes this as the most crowded vote in its history. In this regard, Pablo Mosquera, another of the organizers of the event, said that 11,123 votes were received, so each of the nominated bartenders should be considered the winner.
The winners of The Best Bartender with Rum will receive an interview to be published in The Rum Lab, a platform that disseminates information about the rum industry and organizes the Spain Rum & Gin Expo, where the certificate will also be awarded to the recognized bartenders.
The event will take place on April 26 at the Meeu, located in Madrid’s Charmatín station.
