Meet the 2025 Judges
Our judges are industry leaders—from top bartenders and master distillers to renowned writers and retailers—bringing expertise, passion, and diverse perspectives to every sip. Each year, we assemble a panel that blends technical skill with real-world experience, ensuring every entry is evaluated with precision and respect for craftsmanship. Their dedication helps make the New Orleans Spirits Competition a standout in the industry.
We’re honored to have these experts at the table—raising the bar, one sip at a time.
Our judges are industry leaders—from top bartenders and master distillers to renowned writers and retailers—bringing expertise, passion, and diverse perspectives to every sip. Each year, we assemble a panel that blends technical skill with real-world experience, ensuring every entry is evaluated with precision and respect for craftsmanship. Their dedication helps make the New Orleans Spirits Competition a standout in the industry.
We’re honored to have these experts at the table—raising the bar, one sip at a time.
Meet the 2026 Judges
Tiffanie Barriere
The Drinking Coach
An award-winning educator, storyteller, and bartender’s bartender, Tiffanie is a force in the industry, honored with the 2023 Tales of the Cocktail Visionary Award and named Bartender of the Year by Women of Whiskey. Her influence extends far beyond the bar, shaping the future of cocktails with her bold creativity and cultural storytelling. Formerly the Beverage Director of the acclaimed One Flew South, Tiffanie has judged international cocktail competitions, appeared on The Today Show and Netflix’s Drink Masters, and headlined cocktail festivals across the country. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, and Southern Living, celebrating her unique approach to cocktails and hospitality. A champion of creativity, culture, and community, she is passionate about uplifting Black women in spirits and inspiring a new generation of bartenders and cocktail lovers to raise the bar—literally.
Paul Clarke
Editor in Chief, Imbibe
As Editor in Chief of Imbibe magazine, Paul has spent over 20 years exploring the world of spirits, cocktails, and drink culture. His writing has been featured in The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Serious Eats, and many other leading publications. In 2014, he was honored with the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for Best Cocktail Writer, solidifying his impact on the industry. Paul is the author of The Cocktail Chronicles: Navigating the Cocktail Renaissance with Jigger, Shaker, and Glass (2015) and a contributor and editorial board member for The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails (2021). His work has also appeared in The New York Times Essential Book of Cocktails (2022), further cementing his reputation as a go-to expert on all things spirits and cocktails. Beyond writing, Paul is a sought-after speaker and educator, frequently sharing his expertise at events such as Tales of the Cocktail, Bar Convent Berlin, Portland Cocktail Week, Kentucky Bourbon Classic, BACoctel Buenos Aires, and Charleston Wine and Food. Holding a WSET Level 3 Certification in Spirits, he is also a WSET Certified Spirits Educator, dedicated to furthering spirits education worldwide.
ms. franky marshall
Modern Bartender ~ Educator ~ Consultant
Modern Bartender, educator, and spirited advocate for hospitality, education, and culture. franky is a celebrated cocktail creator, speaker, spirits judge, and Head Atmosphere Curator, known for her work at iconic New York venues and her acclaimed leadership at Le Boudoir Brooklyn. A two-time Spirited Awards nominee, Dame Hall of Fame (Catalyst) inductee, and 2025 Black Women in Food Beverage Master Honoree, she brings a unique voice and presence to the global drinks conversation. She serves as Co-Chair of the Tales of the Cocktail Education Committee, is a BAR 5-Day faculty member, and holds certifications including Cognac & Pineau des Charentes Educator, WSET II Wine, CMS I, and training from Armagnac and D.O. Cava Academies. A former Vice President of USBGNY, franky continues to mentor through programs like ARAR Skylight and Speed Rack’s mentorship initiative. Her judging and speaking resume includes the New Orleans Spirits Competition, World Class Global Finals, Trophées du Bar, BCB, Cocktails Spirits Paris, Vinexpo, and more. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Punch, Forbes, Imbibe, Wine Enthusiast, and books by Dale DeGroff, Robert Simonson, Sother Teague, and others. She’s studied French in France, Spanish in Spain, and travels the world exploring drinking cultures with curiosity, generosity, and style.
Geoffery Wilson
Turning Tables
With over a decade of experience behind the bar, Geoffery has honed his craft at acclaimed venues across the country, including Ocotillo in Phoenix and the Multnomah Whiskey Library in Portland. His expertise has earned him recognition such as Best Bartender in Chicago (2008) and Best Bartender in Phoenix (2014). His approach blends technical skill, cultural awareness, and a deep understanding of the evolving hospitality landscape, making him a respected voice in the industry.
Roland K. Ng
President and Founder
As General Manager for the Americas at Kanosuke Distillery, Roland oversees the distillery’s growth across the region, leading marketing, distribution, and brand development while supporting industry partners in expanding Kanosuke’s presence. A respected voice in the whisky world, he is deeply involved in promoting and educating others about Japanese whisky and global spirits culture. Beyond his role at Kanosuke, Roland is a co-founder of the San Francisco Whisky Society, the largest spirits enthusiast group on the West Coast, as well as Fog City Social, which fosters a strong community around whisky appreciation. His passion for spirits extends to competition judging, where he has served on panels for the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Singapore World Spirits Competition, and other major industry events. With a deep knowledge of Japanese whisky, spirits innovation, and consumer engagement, Roland continues to shape the industry through education, advocacy, and expert evaluation.
Nancy Fraley
Master Whiskey & Rum Blender International Consultant Nosing Services
Nancy has shaped the industry as a blender, educator, and consultant, specializing in custom blending, product formulation, maturation strategies, and sensory analysis through her Berkeley-based firm, Nosing Services. She has played a vital role in crafting award-winning whiskeys and rums, earning her a reputation as a go-to expert for distillers around the world. Her journey into the spirits industry is as unique as her approach to blending. After earning a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard and a Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco, Nancy found her true calling in the world of maturation and sensory science while working with Germain-Robin Brandy. She went on to collaborate with master distiller Hubert Germain-Robin, deepening her expertise in blending and barrel aging. Later, as Director of Research for the American Distilling Institute, she helped train hundreds of distillers, leading courses like Nosing for Faults and Blending & Maturation workshops. Nancy’s contributions go beyond blending—she created the Craft Whiskey Aroma Wheel, a tool that has become essential for distillers analyzing the nuances of their spirits. Her dedication to craft and education has been recognized across the industry—she was named Bourbon Women’s Master Blender of the Year (2024) and Top Spirits Influencer by the American Distilling Institute (2024), cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in the whiskey world.
Garnett Phillip
Owner of The Rum Bar BK,The Rum Girl®
Known as The Rum Girl®, Garnett is a trailblazing business strategist and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience, proving that hard work and resilience lead to lasting success. As the owner of The Rum Bar BK, she has built more than just a bar—she has created a cultural platform that celebrates Caribbean heritage, rum, and tradition. A passionate advocate for history and community, Garnett uses rum as a storytelling medium, educating and enlightening people about their roots while bringing them together through the shared legacy of this iconic spirit. Her work speaks not only to New York City but resonates deeply with the Caribbean community, honoring the spirit of immigrants chasing the American Dream.
H. Joseph Ehrmann
Proprietor & Entrepreunuer
As the 12th Proprietor of ELIXIR, San Francisco’s second-oldest saloon, H. has been at the forefront of revitalizing cocktail culture and shaping the industry for decades. His expertise as a spirits judge, consultant, and educator has made him an internationally respected authority in the world of beverages. Beyond ELIXIR, he has founded multiple ventures that continue to influence the drinks industry. He operates ELIXIR To Go, a cocktail event production company, Cocktail Ambassadors, a beverage industry consultancy, Fresh Victor, a fresh cocktail mixer brand, and Kokoro Spirits, an independent bottler of unique spirits.
Virginia Miller
Dining & Drinks Writer/Judge/Consultant
As W. North America Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Virginia is a highly respected writer, judge, and consultant, with bylines in 60+ publications, including The Bold Italic, Distiller, American Whiskey, Whisky Mag, Liquor.com, and Time Out. Her career has spanned restaurant criticism, spirits journalism, and editorial leadership, having served as Zagat SF editor, SF Guardian restaurant critic, and Table8 VP of Content. Her keen eye for food and drink trends has made her an influential voice in the industry. A seasoned spirits judge, Virginia brings her sharp palate, deep industry knowledge, and global perspective to evaluating spirits and cocktails. She is regularly invited to judge for prestigious spirits and bar competitions, where her expertise helps define and celebrate excellence in the industry. Beyond writing, Virginia is an in-demand consultant for distilleries and bars, working on product development, spirits education, and brand strategy. She co-created Avion Cristalino tequila for Pernod Ricard and has collaborated on spirits projects in Mexico, lending her expertise to brands looking to craft exceptional products. Having visited nearly 15,000 restaurants and countless bars, Virginia has seen (and tasted) it all. Whether consulting, judging, or writing, she is dedicated to elevating the world of food and spirits through her work.
Martin Cate
Owner, Smuggler's Cove
Martin is the owner and creator of Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco, one of the world’s most celebrated tiki bars. Recognized for its unparalleled rum selection and masterfully crafted tropical cocktails, Smuggler’s Cove has been featured on the World’s 50 Best Bars List for six consecutive years and was named Best American Cocktail Bar at the 2016 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. Beyond the bar, Martin is a leading authority on tiki culture and rum history. He and his wife, Rebecca Cate, co-authored the James Beard Award-winning book Smuggler’s Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki, which also earned the 2017 Spirited Award for Best Cocktail Book. His passion for rum extends far beyond crafting cocktails—he is a dedicated rum educator and collector, frequently conducting seminars, tastings, and industry panels to share his expertise on rum production, history, and cocktail techniques. A sought-after speaker and consultant, Martin has played a key role in preserving and advancing the artistry of exotic cocktails and rum appreciation.
Dänny Ronen
Founder, DC Spirits + Partner, Shaker & Spoon
Over 25 years ago, Danny founded DC Spirits, an educational organization dedicated to food, wine, and spirits with a strong focus on small producers and sustainability. His expertise in F&B innovation and development has taken him around the world, working on restaurant and hotel concepts ranging from neighborhood bars to internationally renowned luxury properties like Fairmont and Raffles, many of which have earned critical acclaim. As a consultant and strategist, Ronen collaborates with spirits brands on product development and strategy, creates immersive event activations, and speaks on topics including spirit denomination of origin, Fair Trade and sustainability, product ideation, hospitality, and operational efficiency. His passion lies in introducing new concepts and flavors to a wider audience, something he continues to do daily as a partner at Shaker & Spoon, the award-winning national cocktail subscription service.
Abigail Gullo
Creative Director, Loa Bar
With two decades in the beverage industry, Abigail got her start crafting neighborhood cocktails in the pioneering bars of early 21st-century New York City. Since then, she has created drinks for award-winning restaurants across the globe—from New Orleans to Seattle, Rome to Athens, and Puerto Rico. A multi-time Bartender of the Year, Abigail has mixed cocktails for The Today Show and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. She also co-hosts the New Orleans-focused podcast, Drink & Learn, sharing her extensive knowledge of cocktails and spirits. Currently, she serves as Creative Director at Loa Bar and the International House Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, where her innovative approach continues to shape the city’s cocktail scene. In 2025, Abigail was honored with a James Beard Nomination for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, solidifying her place as one of the industry’s leading figures.
