– Bartenders advance to Grand Final in New York City on June 8 (Bar Convent) to win a trip to Jerez –
Kansas City, MO (May 12, 2026) — J. Rieger & Co., the landmark Kansas City distillery with a pre-Prohibition legacy, is proud to introduce the five regional winners from its Road to Jerez nationwide cocktail competition, celebrating the historic connection between sherry and American whiskey. Bartenders from across the country were invited to participate in the inaugural program using Rieger Kansas City Whiskey, a spirit defined by its finishing touch of Oloroso sherry and its connection to one of the few working soleras in the United States. The finalists will advance to the June 8 final in New York City at Vintage Green Rooftop during Bar Convent week, where each will present a cocktail built around Kansas City Whiskey.
The Road to Jerez winner will be announced by Ryan Maybee, Co-Founder of J. Rieger & Co., who will toast the occasion with the rare Monogram Solera Reserve, the distillery’s most limited annual release aged in original 50-to-100-year-old sherry botas from the William & Humbert bodega.
“We’re in awe of the level of excellence on display from every contestant,” said Maybee. “It takes extraordinary skill to stand out in this field. At Rieger, we celebrate the independence, creativity, and hospitality that define the American bartending spirit. With Road to Jerez, our goal was to give back to the community—offering a chance to compete for a trip to Jerez, Spain alongside our team. The results have exceeded every expectation, showcasing the remarkable craft of bartenders who continue to connect heritage, technique, and storytelling in truly inspirational ways.”
The regional final winners of the J. Rieger Road to Jerez Competition are:
KANSAS CITY WINNER: Zachary Snyder (Aspen, CO | Hooch Aspen) — A Dame to Kill For
The first stop, fittingly, was in Kansas City at the J. Rieger & Co. distillery. A Kansas City native now based in Aspen, Zachary’s submission reflected a refined, mountain-town approach to whiskey-driven cocktails, defined by balance and structure. His cocktail, A Dame to Kill For, stood out among a strong field of entries. Originally from Garden City, Kansas, Zachary has worked at several notable Kansas City bars, including Kill Devil Club.
ORLANDO WINNER: Parker Jochum (Orlando, FL | The Edison at Disney Springs) — Heartland Solera
The competition landed in sunny Florida at The Wilson Orlando at The Well, drawing bartenders from across the Southeast. Parker Jochum took the win with Heartland Solera, layering Kansas City Whiskey with sherry, fermentation, and house-made elements to mirror the evolving nature of the solera system, balancing technical precision with a clear concept.
D.C. WINNER: Delsin Richardson (Baltimore, MD | Dutch Courage & Traveling Libations) — Venecia’s Tribute
Washington, D.C., showed up in full force at Minibar by José Andrés, with bartenders from across the region—including local talent from D.C., as well as NYC and Baltimore—filling the room with energy befitting the nation’s capital. Delsin Richardson took the win with Venecia’s Tribute, a layered, savory cocktail built on whiskey, vermouth, and spice. Finished with a stuffed olive of Manchego and honey, it showcases an intricate balance of Spanish influence and modern technique.
CHICAGO WINNER: AJ Barbosa (Chicago, IL | Bisous Chicago) — The Southwest Chief
The excitement was palpable in Chicago as bartenders from across the Windy City came together. AJ Barbosa took the win with The Southwest Chief, a riff on the classic Revolver built around Kansas City Whiskey and Caffè Amaro. A Kansas City native now based in Chicago, AJ drew inspiration from his Amtrak route between cities, layering coffee, chili spice, and regional notes spanning KC, Chicago, and the Southwest. Showcasing creative flair, he even had judges don conductor hats.
LOS ANGELES WINNER: Aleka K. Ross (San Francisco, CA | Kona’s Street Market) — Sherry Beneath My Wings
The Los Angeles semi-final at The Line Hotel did not disappoint, showcasing strong West Coast talent. Aleka K. Ross, known for her precise, detail-driven approach, earned the win with her cocktail Sherry Beneath My Wings, a thoughtfully constructed build that showcases Kansas City Whiskey. Her submission deconstructs the grape across clarified juice, Manzanilla sherry, ginger, and jamón olive bitters, then is force-carbonated for a light, structured expression of sherry and whiskey.
For more information, including samples or interview requests, please contact Lauren Wire or Elizabeth Stout from Gregory + Vine. Additional details about the Road to Jerez competition, photos, and the media kit are also available upon request.
About J. Rieger & Co.
Founded by Jacob Rieger in 1887, Kansas City-based J. Rieger & Co. was once the largest mail order whiskey house in the country before Prohibition shut down operations. In 2014, Andy Rieger, the great-great-great-grandson of Jacob Rieger, and renowned bartender Ryan Maybee relaunched the distillery as part of a new golden era in American spirits backed by industry legends and Master Distillers Dave Pickerell and Tom Nichol. Today we deliver award-winning products, innovative cocktails, and memorable experiences to guests at our landmark facility in Kansas City’s Electric Park District. From rare releases to everyday favorites, our range includes Rieger Kansas City Whiskey, Straight Bourbon, Straight Rye, Monogram Solera Reserva, Midwestern Dry Gin, and Caffè Amaro, proudly served across the country and around the world. J. Rieger & Co. has received numerous industry accolades including Robb Report Best Whiskeys of 2025 and “Best American Whiskey” at the ASCOT Awards. For more information, visit JRiegerCo.com.
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