Salvatore Scamardella is Italy's best bartender. The announcement took place at the national final of the Diageo Reserve World Class 2019, an international competition established by Diageo Reserve that celebrates the art of mixology and showcases—as explained in a press release—the most authoritative stage in the luxury spirits industry, through the search and selection of elite bartenders from more than 50 countries worldwide. The national final, held at the Officine Riunite in Milan, saw eight top bartenders from across Italy compete, selected by Diageo experts. The bartenders competed with Reserve products, a range of spirits and distillates from Diageo's luxury portfolio, which includes Tanqueray No. Ten gin, Talisker single malt whisky, Bulleit Bourbon, Ketel One vodka, Zacapa rum, and Don Julio tequila. Scamardella, a bartender from Naples, won the "Single Ingredient" competition, in which contestants had to choose a single ingredient and explore all its possible interpretations with creativity and flair, and the "Finishing Moves – Raise Your Drink" competition, which required them to create a signature cocktail that reflected the soul of a Diageo brand and their personal story. The final challenge was "The Showdown," which tested their speed and skill under pressure: they had six minutes to recreate six classics with their own personal twist. Scamardella is now expected in Glasgow from September 21st to 26th for the World Class global final, where he will represent Italy and compete for the title of Bartender of the Year 2019.
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