The Gabriel Boudier Wizard Award Returns For 2026
Emporia Brands is delighted to announce the return of The Gabriel Boudier Wizard Award, with registrations opening on 1st February 2026. The much-anticipated competition once again invites UK bartenders to showcase their creativity, innovation, and technical skill by developing an original liqueur recipe, with the opportunity to see their creation brought to life and launched commercially.
The Gabriel Boudier Wizard Award has become one of the most respected bartender-led competitions in the UK drinks industry, offering a unique pathway from concept to production in collaboration with the historic, award-winning Gabriel Boudier distillery in Dijon, France.
How to enter – Bartenders wishing to take part must register online via the official competition portal: www.emporiabrands.com/gabriel-boudier-wizard-award. Once registered, an Emporia Brands representative will be in touch to arrange for a sample of neutral spirit to be sent to the entrant. This spirit will form the base for the bartenders original liqueur creation.
Entrants must then submit their full liqueur recipe online using the same portal. All recipe must be entered no later than 31st August 2026.
1st February 2026: Registrations Open
31st August 2026: Recipe Submission Deadline
September 2026: UK Regional Finals
January 2027: Grand Final in Dijon
Summer 2027: Winning Recipe Launch
All submitted recipes will be reviewed, and the strongest entries will be selected to progress to the UK Regional Finals, taking place in September 2026 across three key regions: Scotland, The Midlands & North & London/The South. At each regional final, bartenders will present their liqueur alongside both a simple serve and a signature serve to a panel of liqueur expert judges. The winners from each region will then secure a place in the Grand Final at the Gabriel Boudier distillery in Dijon, France.
The Grand Final, held in January 2027, will see regional winners travel to Dijon (all-inclusive), to present their liqueurs at the home of Gabriel Boudier distillery in Dijon. The overall winner will receive:£1000 prize money to be spend as they like; Their winning recipe will be developed and produced by Gabriel Boudier; and a commercial UK launch in Summer 2027, part of the Gabriel Boudier Bartender Liqueur range joining award-winning liqueurs and the previous Wizard winner creations.
The Wizard Award represents a rare opportunity for bartenders to collaborate directly with a world-renowned distillery and bring their liqueur visions to market. For more information please contact award-winning premium spirits distributors, Emporia Brands.
Please visit the competition portal page, or for further information contact Emporia Brands on info@emporiabrands.com or 01483 458700.
