Charles Joly from The Aviary in Chicago, USA, beat 47 of the world's top mixologists to be crowned the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2014.
Throughout the week Joly (pictured) consistently proved his winning credentials to the esteemed panel of judges that included legends and luminaries of the cocktail scene such as Dale DeGroff, Salvatore Calabrese, Julie Reiner, Steve Olsen and Gaz Regan.
"Congratulations must also be attributed to Australia’s own Charlie Ainsbury, who was one of the six finalists to compete against Joly for the global title," Diageo Australia said in a statement.
Joly is the sixth bartender to be awarded the World Class Bartender of the Year title and now becomes a global ambassador for Diageo Reserve.
In 2015, the World Class Global Final will travel to Africa for the first time, taking place in Cape Town.