The Ultimate Rum-Bartender 2026 has officially concluded, crowning two exceptional professionals whose talent, dedication, and contribution to rum culture distinguished them among an outstanding field of international competitors.
Now in its fourth edition, the competition brought together 27 bartenders from across Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and North America, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most recognized platforms dedicated exclusively to rum cocktail culture.
Organized by Federico Hernández, Carlos Riveros, Nestor Parra, and Pablo Mosquera, The Ultimate Rum-Bartender continues to celebrate excellence in mixology while promoting education, hospitality, and appreciation for rum around the globe.
People’s Choice Winner
Following thousands of votes cast through TheUltimateAwards.com, the public selected Nicaragua’s Edwin Selva Sequeira as the winner of the People’s Choice Award.
Edwin Selva Sequeira (Nicaragua)
People’s Choice Winner – The Ultimate Rum-Bartender 2026
3,517 votes
Edwin received overwhelming support from the international hospitality community, earning the highest number of votes among all participants and securing the competition’s most popular distinction.
Top 10 People’s Choice Rankings
Edwin Selva Sequeira (Nicaragua) – 3,517 votes
Fabio Cardozo (Panama) – 2,933 votes
Ricardo Fuenzalida (Chile) – 706 votes
Javier Poveda (Costa Rica) – 624 votes
Daniel Gil (El Salvador) – 510 votes
Nelson Maldonado (Honduras) – 491 votes
Graciliano Pereira (Venezuela) – 422 votes
Youci Ciyou (Chile) – 324 votes
Minor Castillo Valdez (Costa Rica) – 297 votes
Génesis Gélvez (Venezuela) – 264 votes
The voting results demonstrated the remarkable engagement of the global rum and cocktail community, highlighting the influence and reach of the competitors across multiple countries.
Jury’s Decision Winner
An international panel of respected rum experts, educators, ambassadors, and hospitality leaders also evaluated the nominees based on professional achievements, industry impact, promotion of rum culture, leadership, and overall contribution to the craft.
Javier Barbecho (Spain)
Jury’s Decision Winner – The Ultimate Rum-Bartender 2026
30 jury votes
Javier’s selection recognizes his outstanding work in hospitality, strategic development, cocktail culture, and his continued contribution to elevating industry standards.
Top Jury Rankings
Javier Barbecho (Spain) – 30 votes
Edwin Borrero (Puerto Rico) – 29 votes
Ricardo Fuenzalida (Chile) – 25 votes
Fabio Cardozo (Panama) – 24 votes
Génesis Gélvez (Venezuela) – 20 votes (tie)
Roger Paulino (Brazil) – 20 votes (tie)
Walter Sotolongo Lorenzo (Cuba) – 18 votes
Jonathan Silvero (Argentina) – 17 votes
Giancarlo Hincapié (Colombia) – 16 votes
John Rojas (Peru) – 14 votes
A Celebration of Global Rum Culture
The 2026 edition showcased the diversity, creativity, and professionalism of today’s rum bartending community. Competitors represented a wide range of backgrounds, from brand ambassadors and bar owners to educators, consultants, and award-winning mixologists.
Beyond the competition itself, The Ultimate Rum-Bartender continues to serve as a platform for fostering connections within the hospitality industry and highlighting the individuals who contribute to the growth and promotion of rum culture worldwide.
Awards Ceremony
The winners will be officially recognized during the awards ceremony taking place on June 20, 2026, as part of the 3rd Edition of Spain Rum & Gin Expo at Plaza Caleido in Madrid, Spain.
The organizers extend their gratitude to all competitors, judges, partners, sponsors, and voters who helped make this year’s edition a success.
As The Ultimate Rum-Bartender continues to grow internationally, its mission remains clear: to recognize excellence, celebrate creativity, and honor the professionals who keep the spirit of rum alive around the world.
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