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june 2014 / the tasting panel / 17 Battle of the Mixing Minds I n 1939, five brothers from Burgos, Spain settled in Guatemala and began making a one-of-a-kind rum that would embody an uncompromis- ing commitment to quality and superior taste for six decades. Last month, at the first- ever Botran Rum Mixology Challenge Showdown, Las Vegas's greatest mixing minds gathered together to demonstrate the same level of dedication in crafting premium cocktails. The inaugural competition, hosted by premier mixologist Francesco Lafranconi of Southern Wine & Spirits, was not for the weak of heart or hand. Hundreds of online recipe submissions were narrowed down to eight final- ists who flexed their mixing muscles in front of an audi- ence of specially invited guests at Andrea's, the Asian dining hotspot in the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. While all the finalists created exquisite cocktails that celebrated and honored Botran Reserva's unique flavor, the esteemed panel of judges eventually crowned Christopher Hopkins the maker of Vegas's best rum cocktail for his recipe "Where's My Raita?" Hopkins's rum-tastic reward? An all- expense-paid trip to Botran's Guatemala distillery hosted by Lafranconi. For Hopkins, victory is as sweet as the Mango Chutney incorporated into the winning cocktail. —Brian Kustera Big News at SWS of America H arvey R. Chaplin, CEO and Chairman of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc., has announced that his son, Wayne E. Chaplin, Southern's President and COO, who has led Southern's day-to-day operations for the last decade, has accepted the additional duties of CEO. "With his 30 years of experience at Southern, the time is right for Wayne to lead Southern into the future," added Harvey Chaplin. "I will con- tinue my active role as Chairman—or as I like to call it, 'Head of the How-Come Department'—providing strategic guidance with Wayne in support of the company's long-term strategy." With this move, Wayne Chaplin appointed Brad Vassar to Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. "Brad's more than 20 years at Southern and his successful decade as our corporate Executive VP/GM make his new position a logical evolution for Brad and the company." Commenting on his appointment, Vassar stated, "I'm honored and thankful to both Harvey and Wayne for their trust and faith in me to take on the Chief Operating Officer position. Working at Southern over the last 23 years, I have learned that success is, ultimately, a team effort. My thanks and gratitude go out to all my Southern colleagues for their superb execu- tion in the marketplace, to our suppliers for entrusting us with the stewardship of their brands and to our customers for marketing and selling our portfolio to the end consumer." "Brad and I are excited to continue our work with the Executive Leadership Team of Mel Dick, Senior Vice President and President, Wine Division; Steven Becker, Executive Vice President, Treasurer; and Lee Hager, Executive Vice President, Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer," said Wayne Chaplin. "With this world-class team and the unwavering sup- port we receive from all 14,000 Southern employees, we will continue to build on my dad's visionary leadership instilled throughout our organization over the past 45 years." their Christopher Hopkins prepping the winning cocktail. Emilio Estefan, guest celebrity judge, with Francesco Lafranconi of outhern Wine & Spirits. PHOTO: AARON GARCIA PHOTO: AARON GARCIA Harvey and Wayne Chaplin. Brad Vassar. TP0614_001-33.indd 17 5/23/14 8:29 PM