With the steamy New Orleans weather during Tales of the Cocktail 2012, BourbonBlog.com will take any snow and refreshment we can get.

Fortunately at Tales after Dark, our friends from Breckenridge Distillery show up in front of Hotel Monteleone for some “Breckenridge Bourbon Barrel Service.”

They’ve brought large chunks of ice from Colorado and a little help from the SnoWizard which turns into a snowstorm and a “adult snow cones” complete with cocktails using Breckenridge Bitters, Breckenridge Bourbon and Vodka.

All of this plus plenty of snowballs from our favorite mixologists Billie and Mic!

Imagine freshly poured Breckenridge Bourbon, Vodka and cocktails over cold, snowy ice! Now, imagine it all over ya!

All being served out of Breckenridge Distillery’s new Burro making it’s inaugural appearance as it took several months to refurbish this old RV circa 1980

We speak with Jordan Via, Bryan Nolt and Billie Keithley as we enjoy the cocktails!

BourbonBlog.com celebrated in New Orleans as The Spirited Awards were given to the World’s Leaders in the Spirits Industry as a part of the 10th Anniversary Celebration.

We gathered at the new Hyatt Regency in New Orleans to honor industry leaders at Tales of the Cocktail 2012′s Annual Spirited Awards.

The celebration was hosted by the lovable co-hosts Simon Ford and TV host Zane Lamprey, which was proudly presented by Tales of the Cocktail, Pernod Ricard USA and the Beverage Media Group. The entertaining awards show honored eighteen of the world’s top mixologists, brand ambassadors, bars, spirits, authors and more.

The “Ford Lamprey Bar” took center stage as hosts Simon Ford and Zane Lamprey entertained 1,000 attendees, while the Crooners provided the fitting music and humor throughout evening with their British inspired stylings.

It is quite clear that this year, London’s cocktail community took home top honors at the ceremony. Artesian at the Langham flew home with World’s Best Hotel Bar and Artesian’s bartender, Alex Kratena, was honored with the title of International Bartender of the Year.

Other Londoners who took the honor home included:  The Connaught Bar, the winner of World’s Best New Cocktail Bar, Callooh Callay, the winner of World’s Best Cocktail Menu, Salvatore’s at the Playboy took home the trophy for World’s Best Drinks Selection and the Zetter Townhouse is the 2012 winner of World’s Best New Cocktail Bar.

All award winners were honored with Reidel Crystal trophies and Barwear Jackets from Chefwear.

“Every nominee this year I felt deserved to be there. It really did represent the best of the best when it comes to bars and bartenders and the people that support it,” said Simon Ford, Chairman of the Spirited Awards and Director of Brand Director of Education of Pernod Ricard USA.

 

The 2012 Spirited Award® Winners:

 

American Bartender of the Year

Joaquin Simo of New York, New York

Best American Brand Ambassador

Jim Ryan of New York, New York

 

Best American Cocktail Bar

The Varnish of Los Angeles, California

 

Best Bar Mentor

Steve Olson of New York, New York

 

Best Cocktail Writing – Author

David Wondrich of New York, New York for his writing on Liquor.com

 

 

Best Cocktail Writing – Non Book

Liquor.com

 

 

Best High Volume Cocktail Bar

Eastern Standard of Boston, Massachusetts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best International Brand Ambassador

Angus Winchester of London, United Kingdom

 

Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book

PDT Cocktail Book by Jim Meehan & Chris Gall

 

 

 

 

Best New Product

Cognac Pierre Ferrand 1840 Formula of Bonbonnet, France

 

Best Restaurant Bar

Slanted Door of San Francisco, California

 

International Bartender of the Year

Alex Kratena of London, United Kingdom

 

 

 

 

 

 

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

The Connaught Bar of London, United Kingdom

 

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

Callooh Callay of London, United Kingdom

 

World’s Best Drinks Selection

Salvatore’s at The Playboy of London, United Kingdom

 

 

World’s Best Hotel Bar

Artesian at The Langham of London, United Kingdom

 

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar

The Zetter Townhouse of London, United Kingdom

 

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award

Gary Regan of New York, New York

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer catches up with the Four Roses Bourbon Team and interviews National Sales Manager Patty Holland and North America’s Director of Marketing and Sales Patrick Stewart at Tales of the Cocktail 2012 in New Orleans.

As Tales of the Cocktail celebrates their 10th Anniversary this year, we learn that Four Roses will celebrate their 125th Anniversary in 2013.

Both only get better with age! To finish the evening, we taste the 2012 Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel at the Hotel Monteleone during the ”Better With Age” tasting event.

 

Video filmed and edited Hancock Walker

Photos by Hancock Walker.

Four Roses archive footage used in video filmed by Scott Hendrickson and Jakob Bilinski. 

BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer interviews King Cocktail Dale DeGroff and Pisco Portón Master Distiller John Schuler, Pisco Portón CEO Jean-Francois Bonneté  at Tales of the Cocktail.

While Pisco Portón may have their sights on converting the vodka market to try new flavors, even Bourbon lovers like us have appreciation of the versatility of Pisco Porton in cocktails.

The afternoon starts with Pisco Portón cocktails on the rooftop pool at the Hotel Monteleone while they all taste Dale’s Button Punch Recipe at an event themed with the Qoyllur Rit’i (Snow Star Festival).

The Portón Glacial Masquerade theme evokes tradition where each year thousands climb the sacred Ausangate Mountain in the Andes of Peru, while wearing masks, dancing and honoring the life giving waters of the Peruvian glacier. Pisco Portón is born from grapes watered exclusively from glacial rivers.

From the Tales pool party at Hotel Monteleone, BourbonBlog.com joins our friends at  special VIP Pisco Portón event at The Bombay Club on Conti Street.

The Bombay Club has long been one of BourbonBlog.com‘s favorite classy bars for both premium cocktails, fine finding and  impeccable service. Owner Richard Fiske hosts a most elegant establishment which is escape from the madness of Bourbon Street.

Only a block away from Bourbon Street, so when you ask, “Where to drink on Bourbon Street?”  The answer is to take a detour from the madness for a little while and enjoy this refined English library atmosphere with some of the best live jazz in New Orleans.

Bombay Club mixologists demonstrate the versatlity of Champagne Cocktail, Peruvian Pisco Sour, Pisco Mint Julep Lemonade.

The substitution of the Pisco for the Bourbon in the Julep was a refreshing and bright change. It worked.

During our video interview, we catch up with Dale DeGroff and talk about his new Pimento Bitters AND we try them in Pisco Portón…a great combination!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video filmed and edited by Hancock Walker.
Photos of event by Hancock Walker.

BourbonBlog.com is aboard the Creole Queen in New Orleans at Tales of the Cocktail 2012 with Four Roses Bourbon!

Interviews David Wondrich and Colin Asare-Appiah at very special Spirited Dinner in the video segment above.

This Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Dinner is an homage to Tom Bullock, the first African American to write a cocktail book. Cocktail historian Dave Wondrich provides a toast for the evening and top bar chefs Jim Meehan, Colin Asare-Appiah, Tal Nadari, and Dan Priseman.

 

 

Tom Bullock 1871-1964

Tom Bullock was the first African-American to write a cocktail book — written in 1917 — entitled The Ideal Bartender. Bullock, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky shortly after the Civil War ended, began working at country clubs at a very young age starting from the entry-level positions.

Later he became to be a well-recognized bartender of the time at St. Louis Country Club, where he served for government officials and other elite members.

George Herbert Walker, grandfather of George W. Bush, was one of the big fans of Bullock’s cocktails, who contributed his writing to Bullock’s book in introduction.

The Ideal Bartender includes a feast of pre-Prohibition cocktail recipes, many of which we would not have today if it hadn’t been for Bullock’s book. After publishing his book, Prohibition made his profession illegal, yet the bartending culture was stronger than ever.

Bullock moved frequently and changed professions during the dry period, but kept bartending at St. Louis Country Club where people could still drink. Bullock died in 1964.

 

 

 

Film shot and edited by Hancock Walker

All photos of Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Dinner by Hancock Walker in this story

Special thanks Four Roses Bourbon and Tales of the Cocktail

 

 

BourbonBlog.com could be likened to a bus taking visitors across the world to new flavors in field trip of whiskey and spirits.

We aim be the first to embark on these journeys and share them together with you.

At Tales of the Cocktail 2012, our adventure comes to life with Brugal Rum and their Extra Dry Rum Bus.  traveling  to three of the best cocktail bars in New Orleans including Tamarind, Bellocq, and Cure.

Brugal created this branded bus to chauffeur rum fans while entertaining and educations them with cocktails on board and a safe, engaging immersion in the world of Brugal Extra Dry Rum.

Brugal Rum recently released  Brugal Extra Dry Rum to change the way consumers and mixologists approach rum.

While it is clear in color, the rum has actually been aged 2 to 5 years then triple filtered to remove the color and the heavy alcohols that lend to sweeter profiles. The result is a a dry and clean spirit with more flavor and versatility, yet

Perfect on the rocks and also a unique mixes for better, more balanced cocktails.

Vodka and clear spirits drinkers seem to be part of the target market for this new rum.  As whiskey lovers, we  love the one-a-kind qualities that it demonstrates.

The video segment above showcases how mixologists can use the balanced, dry flavor to create some splendid cocktails!
Try the Brugal cocktails below…

 

 

 

Brugal Dehumidifier

2 oz Brugal Extra Dry Rum
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon superfine sugar
3 dashes Angostura bitters
5 mint leaves
Club soda

Directions: Combine all ingredients except bitters and club soda, and shake  with ice. Pour into a collins glass, top with club soda and float 3 dashes  of bitters. Garnish with a mint sprig.

 

Brugal Dry Mojito

1 oz. Brugal Extra Dry Rum
12 fresh mint leaves
1/2 lime, quartered
Club soda
1 teaspoon superfine sugar

Directions: Crush/muddle mint leaves, lime quarters and sugar in a tall glass.
Add Brugal Extra Dry Rum and fill glass with ice. Top with club soda, and stir
well. Garnish with a lime wedge and fresh mint sprig

 

 

 

Video segment shot and edited by Hancock Walker.

BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer joins Breckenridge Distillery at Tales of the Cocktail 2012 where we taste how the already delicious Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey which continues to get better with age!

Tales of the Cocktail has also become better with age and we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Tales at the “Better with Age” event at Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans.

We talk with Bryan Nolt, CEO and Owner of Breckenridge Distillery of Colorado, and raise a toast to the distillery’s many recent successes.

Breckenridge’s increasing availability in new markets across the country and numerous awards from  international competitions are just a few reasons to say, “I’ll drink to that with Colorado’s finest Hooch.”

The new Breckenridge Bitters are being poured for the first time at Tales of the Cocktail this week.

And we know with the talented international mixologists and bartenders who attend and work at be Tales, the best cocktails found in New Orleans will be at Tales of the Cocktail!

Watch more of our coverage of Tales of the Cocktail on BourbonBlog.com

 

 

Video filmed and edited by Hancock Walker. 

BourbonBlog.com is back in New Orleans now for Tales of the Cocktail 2012 as they celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the festival from July 25 through July 29!

Be watching on this link for updates and videos all week -> Tales of the Cocktail. In fact, we’re including some video coverage from our previous years at Tales of the Cocktail below.

With a theme that is “Aged Well” for 2012, Tales of the Cocktail is the world’s premiere cocktail festival that brings together the most respected minds on mixology for 5 days of cocktails, cuisine and culture.

This is the only festival focused on the craft of the bartender and education. Following on the success of Tales of the Cocktail, other festivals have been launched around the country. Tales of the Cocktail tells BourbonBlog.com that none is committed to furthering the industry and providing support to bartenders, bar owners and future mixologists ( through The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society) as this festival.

Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Program gives apprentices the opportunity to continue education in mixology from a minimum $30,000 scholarship fund annually. This is the 5th Year of Cocktail Apprentice Program with 60 total apprentices from Australia to Tampa [culled from 300-400 applicants] The apprentices help to execute events at Tales.

Tales of the Cocktail helps a lot of people in New Orleans. The Cocktail Apprentice Medical Aid Fund  was created in 2011 to provide financial assistance in the form of cash grants to help off-set large medical expenses

BourbonBlog.com will join friends from across the globe this week! In 2011, representations from 26 countries – from Austria to the Virgin Islands . India and Russia will be new country participants sending representatives to lead seminars at 2012 Tales of the Cocktail!

Tickets may still be available depending on when you visit this story, so check out Talesofthecocktail.com/tickets for more information!

Thanks to Tales of the Cocktail Founder Ann Tuennerman, her husband and Paul Tuennerman, and the wonderful staff and volunteers at Tales of the Cocktail for having BourbonBlog.com back once again!

 

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BourbonBlog.com‘s Tom Fischer interviews Ron Jeremy about his Ron de Jeremy Rum, sex, and a few other adult subjects over a glass of “The Adult Rum.”

We go deep with Ron in the questions and tasting of this new Ron de Jeremy Rum as he tells some jokes and plays the harmonica.

“The Hedgehog” shares secrets and stories from his adult entertainment career in this interview recorded at Penthouse Club in New Orleans, Louisiana during Tales of the Cocktail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filmed and edited by Avi Glick.

Special thanks Laura Baddish, Penthouse Club New Orleans, and David Watson.

BourbonBlog.com joins our friends from Brugal Rum, which is the #1 Rum in the Caribbean, poolside at Tales of the Cocktail. At this event, Brugal releases Brugal 1888, a world class rum and first of its kind expression!

Brugal 1888′s artisanal crafting starts with a double distillation, followed by a careful selection of the best rums that undergo a double aging process. During the initial stages, these rums are aged in medium roasted American white oak casks (quercus alba), and then aged in European oak casks (quercus robur) that have previously been used for aging Sherry wines. The same casks that would aged for the Macallan Scotch Whisky.

The name of this Rum marks the year Brugal was founded (in 1888) and this special expression was launched to celebrate the expertise and rum-crafting skills of the Brugal family passed down through 5 generations of Maestros Roneros, Rum Masters.

During the pool party, we speak with Gustavo Ortega Zeller (5th generation Rum Master of the Brugal family), Marc Bromfeld, Director of Brugal Rum, Juan Campos Brand Development Manager.

We also sample Ron Brugal Blanco, Ron Brugal Añejo, Ron Brugal Extra Viejo and cocktails which have been masterfully created by mixologists with each rum.