The Palates To Trust
The reputation of a spirits competition is often defined by the quality of its judges. At the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, our judging panels consist of the most respected, experienced experts in the spirits industry.
Meet our judges

Víctor M. Martínez Quezada
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Víctor M. Martínez Quezada
- Connoisseur of tequila by the Mexican chamber of tequila.
- Master distiller by the Mexican academy of tequila and mezcal academy
- Winner of spirit of excellence at Beamsuntory
- Master mixology of Buenos Aires Cocktail University of Argentina
- IAG Sommelier by the Gastronomy Argentinian Gastronomy
- Global Brand ambassador, corporate Master Mixologist and head chef

Executive Director
Anthony Dias Blue
Anthony Dias Blue is the Executive Director and founder of the San Francisco World Spirits
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Executive Director
Anthony Dias Blue
President, Blue Lifestyle

Joe Micallef
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Joe Micallef
Forbes Contributor, Educator and Judge

Eric Grenier
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Eric Grenier
Jack Daniel's Brand Ambassador, Greenhouse Agency Inc.

Thomas “Mac” Gregory III
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Thomas “Mac” Gregory III
Corporate Senior Director of Food & Beverage, Pacifica Hotel Company

Zach Johnston
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Zach Johnston
Writer, UPROXX

Robert Gonzales
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Robert Gonzales

Karen Harling
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Karen Harling
Senior Merchant - Spirits; Walmart

Chris Adams
While Chris Adams can currently be found jetting around the world creating acclaimed bar programs
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Chris Adams
Managing Partner, Ellis Adams Group

Colin Asare-Appiah
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Colin Asare-Appiah
Senior Portfolio Ambassador, Bacardi

Stephen Beal
Spirits Educator & Consultant, Keeper of the Quaich

Mark Bowery
In addition to designing and maintaining award-winning beverage programs for fine restaurants, Mark Bowery is
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Mark Bowery
Wine & Spirits Consultant, Mark Bowery Consulting

Martin Cate
Martin Cate is a rum and exotic cocktail expert and the owner and creator of
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Martin Cate
Owner, Smuggler's Cove San Francisco Author, "Smuggler’s Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki"

Jerry Cooper
Originally from Los Angeles, Jerry has worked the last 30 years in San Francisco as
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Jerry Cooper
President, JCooper Consulting

Tony Devencenzi
Tony Devencenzi is a bartender at Bourbon & Branch and the Educational Coordinator for Future
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Tony Devencenzi
Northern California Steward, WhistlePig Rye Whiskey

H. Joseph Ehrmann
H. has cooked, served, managed, and bartended in over 20 bars and restaurants around the
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H. Joseph Ehrmann
Proprietor, Elixir, Cocktail Ambassadors LLC

Scott Ellis
Scott has been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years in a wide variety
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Scott Ellis
Western Regional Manager, Compass Box Whiskey Co.

Ziggy Eschliman
Ziggy Eschliman is among America’s most enthusiastic, authoritative, and entertaining libation experts. For over 20
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Ziggy Eschliman
The Wine Gal & Countess of Cocktails, Wine Country Radio

Jeff Feist
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Jeff Feist
Category Lead Spirits & More, BevMo

Josh Gelfand
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Josh Gelfand
Whisk(e)y Warden & Spirit Guide, Wingtip

Kyle McHugh
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Kyle McHugh
Director of Advocacy, Samson & Surrey / President, USBG National Charity Foundation

Virginia Miller
Since founding The Perfect Spot in 2007, Virginia Miller is the West North America Chair
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Virginia Miller
Food & Drinker Writer/Editor

Fred Minnick
With appearances on Top Chef and the Amazon Prime host of Bourbon Up, Wall Street
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Fred Minnick
Wall Street Journal-Bestselling Author and World’s Foremost Bourbon Authority

Ivy Mix
Ivy Mix is Co-Owner and Head Bartender of Leyenda, her pan-Latin cocktail bar in Carroll
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Ivy Mix
Head Bartender & Co-Owner, Leyenda, Founder, Speed Rack

Chief Judge
Jeffrey Morgenthaler
Jeffrey Morgenthaler has been an award-winning bartender since 1996. He currently manages the James Beard
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Chief Judge
Jeffrey Morgenthaler
Bar Manager, Clyde Common, Founder, RepealDay.org

Julie Reiner
Julie Reiner has been elevating the cocktail scene in NYC for over 15 years, most
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Julie Reiner
Co Founder: Clover Club, Leyenda & Mixtress Consulting

Enrique Sanchez
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Enrique Sanchez
Beverage Director, School Night

Craig Schoettler
As Executive Director of Beverage and Corporate Mixologist at MGM Resorts International, Craig Schoettler uses
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Craig Schoettler
Vice President of Beverage, Tao Group

Toshio Ueno
Certified Master of Sake, Master Sake Sommelier, and Shochu Sommelier. Toshio is the only one
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Toshio Ueno
Vice President & Co-Founder, Sake School of America

Dominic Venegas
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Dominic Venegas
Whisk(e)y Specialist, Pernod Ricard

Nat Harry
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Nat Harry
Spirits Specialist and Agave Club Manager, Cask

Nate Ganapathi
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Nate Ganapathi
Founder, CMO at @SingleMaltDaily

Nora Furst
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Nora Furst
Operating Partner West Beverage Consulting

Gary Gruver
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Gary Gruver
Director | Beverage | Global, US and Canada, Marriott International

Eduardo A. Dingler
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Eduardo A. Dingler
Vice President of Wine, Wine Access

Kim Haasarud
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