Last week played host to one of the biggest gatherings of bar-industry aficionados in the calendar year - The Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC). At TOTC every year are also the Spirited Awards. Through this annual ceremony, TOTC aims to provide recognition to individuals and establishments that have shown an outstanding talent for advancing the craft of the cocktail both in the US and around the globe.

The 4th Annual Spirited Awards  winners were announced at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award Ceremony and Dinner on Saturday, July 24, 2010 in New Orleans.

New York’s Death & Co. walked away as the ceremony’s big winner grabbing awards for Best American Cocktail Bar, World’s Best Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu. Other honorees included Charlotte Voisey of William Grant & Sons as Best Brand Ambassador, Agostino Perrone from London’s Connaught Bar of the Connaught Hotel as International Bartender of the Year and Brian Rea received the Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Winning best brand ambassador is so special to me,” said Voisey. “I owe a great deal of thanks to Tales of the Cocktail for their incredible support I have had and very generous platform Tales of the Cocktail provides to the world for mixology.”

Though Australians Naren Young, Sam Ross and Jacob Briars (honorary Australian) were unable to to win a gong at this year’s Spirited Awards congratulations must go to all the worthy winners below: