Hamish Smith is the editor of CLASS Magazine in the UK, the bars editor fro Drinks International, and an academy chair for The World’s 50 best Bars. He’s also the creator and organiser behind Drinks International’s Bar World 100 list — so he knows a thing or two about bar awards and lists.

And that forms a large part of our chat this episode. I ask Hamish about whether the lists are good for the industry, we talk about how sometimes the lists and awards can produce strange behaviour from operators wanting to get their bars on there — we talk about the benefits, the drawbacks, and a lot more on that topic.

But Hamish also saves his thoughts on the future of drinks journalism, a topic in which I obviously have a great interest; we talk about how he does his bar reviews, and what it takes to open a bar in London these days.

This episode is presented by The Gresham's Greenhorn Cocktail Competition — visit thegresham.com.au/the-greenhorn for the full rules and to enter. Entries close at midnight AEST on Tuesday August 22nd.