Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Jesse Cyr is an award-winning bartender with a deep passion for hospitality and spirits education. Over the years, he’s worked behind some outstanding bars, including serving as General Manager at the internationally recognized Rob Roy in Seattle and Beverage Director at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. He’s also collaborated with several global brands, creating cocktail menus and signature serves that highlight their spirits.

Jesse has always loved a good challenge and has competed nationally and internationally, becoming a finalist in the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience, the National Sherry Wine Cocktail Competition, and the Bols Around the World global competition.

He has been featured in The Seattle Times, Zagat, Thrillist, and Eater, and his cocktails have appeared in numerous on-line and print publications as well as in the books The One-Bottle Cocktail and Batch Cocktails by Maggie Hoffman (Ten Speed Press).

After completing the intensive BAR 5-Day course in New York City—where he passed both a blind spirits tasting and written exam—Jesse discovered a true love for cognac. A trip to France in early 2020, exploring the Charente River Valley and seeing eaux-de-vie production up close, inspired him to launch Cognac Reverie as a way to share that passion with others. Whenever he’s building new menus, you can bet there’s always a cognac cocktail on the list.