Manuel Gaspar Lao: The winner of El Alquimista World Bar 2025

In a fierce competition that highlighted the top level of national and international bartenders who amazed the judges, Peruvian Manuel Gaspar Lao was chosen as the winner of the El Alquimista (The Alchemist) World Bar 2025 international cocktail tournament, held in Manizales on May 16th, and organized by the Caldas Liquor Industry (Industria Licorera de Caldas ILC).

The judges awarded first place to Gaspar Lao for his cocktail, “Cerca del Bosque” (Near the forest). Based on Ron Viejo de Caldas Gran Reserva Especial and complemented with other ingredients such as banana, citrus honey, Peruvian coffee, and others, it sought to transport attendees to the fog forests of Manizales and Colombia.

“I’m very happy with this victory. I feel very proud to have represented my country. Since I  arrived in Colombia, they’ve treated me very well, so I’ve tried to repay all that affection through this cocktail where I’ve brought both cultures together,” commented the Peruvian, who took home a prize of $3,000. 

On the tournament podium, Andrea Baldisserotto, representing the Colombian department of Antioquia, took second place, and Jesús Antonio Higuera of Ecuador took third place. 

Diego Angelillis Quiceno, general manager of the Caldas Liquor Industry (Industria Licorera de Caldas), congratulated the four international and eleven national bartenders for the creativity and showmanship they displayed in each of their preparations using the different varieties of Ron Viejo de Caldas, the best-selling rum in Colombia and internationally recognized for its quality. 

“We witnessed an event worthy of the best in the world with very talented participants, which became a great opportunity for the Caldas Liquor Industry to continue being recognized nationally and internationally for its quality and innovation,” the executive noted. 

Manuel Gaspar Lao, with 10 years of experience as a bartender, holds a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Thanks to his talent, Manuel also won a cocktail course valued at $4,000 USD. 

“I take this achievement with great responsibility and want to make the public understand that behind a spirit, there is a lot of work, like that of the master rum maker and other people who work daily to create a great brand like Ron Viejo de Caldas. It will be a pleasure for me to be able to share all the knowledge I’ve accumulated over the past few days in Manizales and take it to other places,” concluded Gaspar Lao.

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Source of information

The information in this article is based on a press release from Industria Licorera de Caldas ILC.

The images used in the article are courtesy of Industria Licorera de Caldas ILC.