More than 1,800 bartenders competed for the prize by uploading photos of their own tequila serve at Donsoftequila.com. Judges whittled down the competition to 17 bartenders and flew them to Tequila, Mexico for the global final.

In addition to becoming an honorary Don for life, Esashi won the opportunity to harvest, blend and bottle his own tequila on the company’s estate.  

Don Koji said:"I'm so happy to have won the Dons of Tequila competition and to join the Jose Cuervo family. This was an amazing journey and I've learnt a lot. As a Don I'm looking forward to educating others on the great drink that is tequila."

Juan-Domingo Beckmann, CEO of Jose Cuervo, added: “From thousands to just one, we found someone with the passion and creativity needed to become our next Don. Don Koji displayed the grit, expertise and an uncompromising passion for quality that has represented Jose Cuervo for over 250 years.”