Founded in 1986 and revived in 2025 after a decade away, the Suntory Cup is a celebration of craftsmanship and camaraderie in Australian bartending. Reuben won the professional category of the national final.
Reuben entered the 2025 Suntory Cup as bar manager at Maison Bâtard, coming through a field of eighty state finalists under the brief "Reinvigorate the Retro" — take a drink from the archive and make it make sense now.
He took out top honours in the professional category at the national final in September 2025, and has since worked with Club Suntory Oceania on competition mentoring, judging and Japanese whisky education — including returning to the Boothby podcast with fellow winner Tom McHugh to brief the next round of entrants.
Video
Suntory Cup 2025 — Showdowns recap
Club Suntory Oceania's recap of the national showdowns.
Watch"More than a competition"
Club Suntory Oceania reel on what the Cup means to the bartenders in it.
WatchBoothby podcast — winning advice for the Suntory Cup
Reuben and Tom McHugh on the brief, the judging and how to place.
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