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Woodford Reserve Bourbon


Downtown Dream Hotel New YorkBourbonBlog.com attended the final event of the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience in New York where Joann Spiegel was awarded with “Master of the Manhattan” with her “Leaving Manhattan.”  Here is Joann’s winning recipe below.

“Leaving Manhattan” – Winning Manhattan Recipe from Joanne Spiegel of Mercury Bar West

2 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
1/2 oz. Punt e Mes Italian vermouth
1/4 oz. Lapsang Tea Syrup*
1/4 oz. Dark Creme de Cocoa
2 dashes Orange Bitters

Instructions:

Combine ingredients over ice in shaker and shake.

Strain into martini glass and garnish with dark chocolate stick with orange spiral.

*Lapsang Tea Syrup – Use Lapsang tea bags and brew a strong cup of tea. Use the tea to make a simple syrup with equal parts tea and sugar

Joann Spiegel was a very warm-hearted and humble bartender. Originally from Ireland, Joann moved to New York in 1998.

BourbonBlog.com‘s Matt Capucilli also says, “I was fortunate enough to spend some time with her group at the event. Well before the winner was announced, I asked Joann how she did. She quickly responded with “I didn’t win”. Reminding her that the competition wasn’t over yet, I said that she still had a chance. She replied ‘I’ll bet you a thousand dollars I didn’t win.’ When she ultimately took the crown, we were both quite happy and had a good laugh about that little bet.”

The competitors for this Manhattan Experience finale event were bartenders and mixologists who won semi-finals competition in their respective cities across the country.

They gathered in New York to showcase their winning Manhattans in front of a panel of judges including Leo Robitschek, David Wondrich and Gary Regan at Dream Hotel Downtown in Manhattan. Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris was also there.

Mixologist Joanne Spiegel wins Master of the Manhattan and poses with Woodford Reserve Mixologist Chris Morris

Mixologist Joanne Spiegel wins Master of the Manhattan and poses with Woodford Reserve MIxologist Chris Morris, Mixologist Joanne Spiegel wins Master of the Manhattan and poses with Woodford Reserve MIxologist Chris Morris, photo by Matt Capucilli

A contestant at the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience finale prepares his manhattan

A contestant at the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience finale prepares his manhattan

 

Master Distiller Chris Morris Bourbon

Master Distiller Chris Morris with BourbonBlog.com's Matt Capucilli at the Manhattan Experience Finale 2012, photo courtesy Matt Capucilli

Special thanks to our team Matt Capucilli, Oresti Tsonopoulos, Alexandra Stewart and David Capucilli. All photos by Oresti Tsonopoulos unless noted.

 

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