Tales of the Cocktail 2010, Day 3, Part 1
What do you get people who already have everything? Fine spirits, of course and a another start to a day like none other at Tales of the Cocktail! This morning began with a light continental breakfast accompanied by Abuelo Aged Rums and the Van Gogh line of infused vodkas (the double Espresso is a personal favorite in White Russians.)

Ron Abuelo Rum Mixed into a cocktail among the offerings in this breakfast spread

I chose to partake of the Ron Abuelo 7 Años Añejo Rum year as a sidecar to my chicory-laced coffee. I felt as if I had made the best pairing in the room. Almost smug in my satisfaction, I peered over at BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer pouring just a touch of the Van Gogh Caramel into his coffee and enjoying his Van Gogh Double Espresso Breakfast Bread Pudding. Then I wasn’t so sure.

It would seem they paired the brands with the breakfast- not the other way around.

The early-mid afternoon this day involved business meetings for the Bourbonblog.com team. Nothing to see here, folks- kindly move along. For us all, this is a passion- yet I suppose you have to keep the lights on. The fortunate aspect of this scheduling is that we were able to save up energy for the evening’s festivities. Looking back, I think we needed it.

(takes a deep breath)

Late-afternoon, we enjoyed the hospitality of the Russian Standard team at their event. Having a comfortable relationship with this brand since their U.S. release, I can tell you they are exactly who they set out to be- in product quality and image projection. Vodka made according to the original crown dictate developed by Medelev (the gentleman responsible for the periodic table,) it is produced from a lake of ancient glacial water. They have two primary tiers in the states: the call-price point tier is similar to Absolut in expression and does well mixed. The super premium, ‘platinum,’ is amongst the world’s finest in my opinion. I hyper-chill mine stirred in a shaker with dry ice, strain it, and serve it exceptionally cold with the mist rolling over the glass. The smoke is garnish- anything else would be blasphemy.

Our Executive Producer took this moment to call for an hour moratorium on work and nobody argued. We scrambled in different directions, each with their eye on a different prize. I knew I had to drop by ’99 Degrees in the Shade-‘ a pool party hosted by Bridget Albert and Todd Appel. The featured class of drinks, frozen- as cool as the clientele if I say so myself. The Monteleone’s pool area was absolutely packed. So busy that when I asked Bridget what they were serving, she jokingly exclaimed, ‘I’m out of product- they’re just bringing me stuff to freeze now.’ I laughed and enjoyed the Pama-laced concoction fresh out of the blender.

You’d never have known it was an ad-hoc-on-the-fly-improvisation. Delicious!

Van Gogh Vodka Cocktails along with Ron Abuelo Rum on the Breakfast Spread for Tasting

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The West Coast Team Celebrates Winning The Golden Muddler Trophy at the Cabana Cachaca's Bartender Olympic Games, Tales of the Cocktail

Day 2, Part II

From cool and calm to hot and excited we then went. The BourbonBlog.com team joined a raucous crowd in the streets of the French Quarter to cheer on the contestants at Cabana Cachaça’s ‘Bartender Olympic Games.’ Five teams of bartenders representing various American regions competed in a variety of contests and kept very close until the final, deciding round- an Iron Bartender creative drink contest with one mystery ingredient: Abita Amber Beer. Tough selection, “chairman” Matti Anttila. The final, victorious team ‘represented’ the West Coast and received the coveted Golden Muddler Trophy and Facebook bragging rights.

See you back here next year to defend your title. Be watching BourbonBlog.com for video of the competition.

A quick stop to taste Absolut’s newest ‘city infusion,’ Brooklyn was a pleasant surprise. We found the vodka to be quite the tasty spirit with red apple and ginger. This is a collaboration with Spike Lee with and Absolut is donating $50,000 of the profits from the sale of Absolut Brooklyn to Habitat for Humanity in New York City. An excellent spirit on the palate and in the heart! The tasting featured a DJ mixing up some New York themed hip-hop and a certain member of the BourbonBlog.com team could keep himself from throwing down a little B-Dancing to celebrate.

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

Breakdancing at the Absolut Brooklyn Vodka Tasting Room, Tales of the Cocktail

The last event of the day was the largest- Diageo’s ‘Cocktail Hour.’ The theme this year was ’100 Years of the Cocktail’ with two cocktails featured for each decade. The historic Cabildo, part colonial church and museum hosted the event and my what an event it was. Many exceptional cocktail minds were in attendance, as were writers and spirit producers. Bourbonblog.com had a wonderful interview with the father and daughter bourbon team of Tom and Hollis Bulleit of Bulleit Bourbon.

We couldn’t have dreamed up a more appropriate end to such an eventful day.

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BourbonBlog.com's Tom Fischer with Ann Tuennerman, Founder and Executive Director of Tales of the Cocktail

Day 2, Part I

Moonshine for breakfast anyone? Indeed, this is the norm and not the exception at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. Piedmont Distillers treated members of the press to a continental breakfast and samples of some dang tasty Midnight Moon Moonshine, Catdaddy Carolina Moonshine. We were also introduced to a preview of their forthcoming release of infusions of Midnight Moon Raspberry and Midnight Moon Strawberry variations in which the works. Notable is the fact that these are actual post-distillate infusions as one would make at home. The addition of additives or flavorings is the main criticism bartenders have against many of the infusions on the market today.

Keep an eye on BourbonBlog.com for some upcoming recipes involving their products.

We then joined our compatriot, Angus Winchester and Jacob Briars, international men of mystery for their bartending fun-da-mentals seminar. The premise: that bartending as a career is becoming too serious and that we should remember that it is our job to bring smiles

New Berry Flavors of Midnight Moon Moonshine May Be Released Soon

to our guests’ faces. This seminar similarly brought chuckles from the attendees, as the presenters clearly made sure to practice what they preach, one even going so far as to powerpoint an 8′ picture of himself wearing a huge horse-mascot head.

Not his proudest moment… or was it?

Next on to the Tasting of Casa Noble’s line of super-premium tequilas. Jose Hermosillo guided the attendees using a variety of techniques, including identifying overtones with the aid of essential oils and discussing cooperage by passing around an oak-stave. His approach was patient, well-thought and soft-spoken yet one could not but sense the passion in this third-generation tequilladero’s blood.

Watch for our exclusive video interview with Jose coming in the following days.

BourbonBlog.com's Tom Fischer with Casa Noble Tequila's CEO Jose Hermosillo and Director of New Business Tess Wilkerson

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Kevin Brauch and Tom Fischer at The Plymouth Gin Bartender's Breakfast

Thirsty Traveler and Floor Reporter of Iron Chef America, Kevin Brauch joins  BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer at the Plymouth Gin Bartender’s Breakfast at the Tales of the Cocktail. Two men who are up for a breakfast which is composed of mainly cocktails! Video coming, stay tuned to BourbonBlog.com

If a bartender has breakfast it’s usually when they get home from a shift and not when they wake up. This event is an homage to the lifestyle of bartenders.

For the 2010 Bartender’s Breakfast, there was a “Burial of the Bad Cocktail” including a funeral procession laying Sex on the Beach to rest.

Simon Ford, Aubrey Saunders, Tony Abou-Ganim and Contemporary Cocktails hosted this 3rd annual Plymouth Bartenders Breakfast.

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Master Blender Richard of Whyte Mackay

So here we are at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, Louisiana as we will be bringing you coverage all week.

BourbonBlog.com‘s team joined together in the French Quarter to gather ourselves and begin our adventure in the big easy this year. The ‘Three Stephens’ prepared ourselves and set out on our first day of camaraderie, instruction and- yes- libating…

Our first seminar very well may be the most entertaining and insightful we may see over the next five days. Richard Paterson, Master Blender for Whyte and Mackay and the person responsible for the most expensive whisky bottling in the world held court as only a Scot-herald can.

He showed us what to do with the ice normally placed in the glass- he threw it against the wall.
He showed us how to taste and evaluate four of his Scotches from The Dalmore collection as one would enjoy the company of the fairer sex. He showed us the grandeur of the Scottish tradition as only a third generation Master Blender can.

By the end of his presentation, the cocktailians in the room weren’t simply laughing- they were carrying on like a Southern Baptist Religious Service. Amen, brother Patterson!

It would seem passion is catchy.

Of course, we had to hijack the man and spent the next few hours enjoying the company of our kilt-laden accomplice at The Bombay Club. We joined the faithful at a large welcome tasting and found the offerings to be exceptional. Most notable was the Tito’s Vodka Infusion Booth. They certainly had fun with their selections- from cucumber and cantaloupe infusions to more exotic selections like bacon with jalapeno.

Nice work, folks.

The Bluecoat American Gin booth was also worth noting, not simply for their tasty riff on the sour, but also for the dedication of their attractive staff. I especially appreciated that their mixologist came to the defense of bitters, egg whites, etc. when I (purposefully) took the opposite position. Preston, if you are reading, I agree with you!

Our team, Richard Patterson and a couple of newfound friends including food and beverage enthusiast Laura Baddish of The Baddish Group found our way to the cozy and classic Bombay Club for small bites and Sazeracs. We found the hospitality, genuine; The drinks, tasty; and the cuisine, well done. The owner, Richard, was the consumate host. I do believe we have found our hang-out for the trip and highly recommend anyone to stop in during their stay here.

The Promenade of Jubilation by William Grant and Sons at Tales of the Cocktail

The last leg of the first day found BourbonBlog.com at the William Grant and Son’s “Promenade of Jubilation” party at the historic Elms House on St Charles St. A few hundred of our best friends enjoyed a variety of beverage stations, cool music and a nice banquet spread. Hudson Valley Distillery’s offering was of note, as was the company of Elyse Glickman from Liquid Living Magazine. There is nothing like having quality in the company you keep.

After all, passion is catchy.

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