BAR and mixology skills were on display as Winchester Distillery staged the final of its cocktail awards.

Held at The Forte Kitchens, judges Gareth Maxwell from Hattingley Valley, Gary Whiter from The Cabinet Rooms and Winchester Distillery’s Paul Bowler were treated to an array of mixing, stirring, shaking and flaming from mixologists and bartenders from businesses around the county.

These included The Chesil Rectory, Lainston House, The Langstone Hotel Hayling Island, The CoCo Bar & Lounge Southampton, Old Alresford Place, The Green Man and PI Woodfired pizza.

While picking out their winners, the judges were looking for specific characteristics including concept, delivery, appearance, palate and practicality.

Paul Bowler, founder of Winchester Distillery, said: “I was so impressed with the candidates’ knowledge, skill and imagination that it was a very close decision in the end.

“I am delighted with the level of interest in our spirits and our reputation within the hospitality sector.”

The competition’s winners were Spike van der Merwe – founder of a soon-to-be-launched pop-up bar company – and Chris Palmer, bar manager at The Langstone Hotel, who judges felt excelled over the others in the cocktail and G&T rounds, respectively.