Luca Corradini of American Bar at The Savoy, Tim Laferla of Red Bar at Bam-Bou, Kyle Wilkinson from Blind Pig, Jon Hughes of Bramble and Jamie Jones from No Fixed Abode in Manchester will all compete with another five currently unannounced semi-finalists at Drummuir Castle in Scotland in June.

Daniel Dove, Diageo Reserve World Class brand ambassador said: “World Class is a celebration of the world’s best bartenders, the world’s best drinks and the world’s best spirits. The competition aims to elevate the craft of the bartender and inspire the world to care about what, where and how they drink, and our new Semi-Finalists have the skill, creativity and ambition to do just that.

“This year we have put competing bartenders through the paces more than ever, with rigorous challenges designed to test their sensory, accuracy, hosting and mixology skills.  The standard has been higher than ever and we can’t wait to see our finalists compete for a place in the global final, taking place in South Africa this September.”

The winner will represent their country at the global final in South Africa.