Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/148134
Ralph and Gable speak with fans at the Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone. The Erenzos take in some New Orleans atmosphere. The line into the famous rotating Carousel Bar wraps outside, but thirsty enthusiasts and bartenders slowly trickle in to order the famous drink invented here, the Vieux Carré, or something to quench the New Orleans thirst. But something happens, and the line comes to a staggering halt. As I sit at the entrance with the Enrenzos waiting for our beers, I notice there's an actual line of people waiting to shake hands with the Erenzos. The Erenzos—owners of New York's Tuthilltown Spirits and ambassadors for their Hudson Whiskey portfolio—were the show-stoppers. Competitors, PR people, journalists, bartenders and random bearded types stop to shake the hands of the father-son duo who put New York whiskey on the map. Before them, there were none. Now, there are many New York whiskies. This incident was just one example of the incredible gratitude I witnessed others give the Erenzos. "I just love those guys," says Abigail Deirdre Gullo, head bartender at New Orleans's SoBou. And people love the Erenzos' Hudson Whiskey. At the William Grant & Sons Tales Prohibition-themed kickoff party, yet another line was formed to meet with the father and son ambassadors. On more than one occasion, a vest-wearing Gable has to tell eager drinkers to "keep your pants on" as he fills a seemingly endless numbers of glasses. When he drops and shatters a glass, he looks around to make sure he won't get in trouble and sheepishly whispers, "Shhhh. I didn't do that." The father and son are never far from each other. In earlier years, Ralph took Gable with him when he was building New august 2013 / the tasting panel / 71 TP0813_066-103.indd 71 7/24/13 9:50 PM