Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/488317
1 12 / the tasting panel / april 2015 Sun Chasing Spirits THE TASTING PANEL AND CRAFT SPIRITS SHINE BRIGHT AT THE FOURTH ANNUAL ARIZONA COCKTAIL WEEK by Brian Kustera / photos by Grace Stufkosky T his February at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, thousands gathered for what has become a staple for all those serious about spirits, as the fourth annual Arizona Cocktail Week brought the desert even more heat with innovative seminars, fierce competitions, educational tastings and cutting- edge mixology. For a place that is characterized by its dryness, things were anything but, as talented people from all sides of the industry continued to demonstrate their mastery and creativity in the form of amazing craft cocktails. Adding to the exciting happenings, we held one of our signature Speed Tasting events live in the middle of the Artisanal Spirit & Cocktail Market, a sampling event featuring boutique and craft spirits, where 11 artisan brands embodied the same level of class we had come to expect from the Grand Canyon State with ten-minute cocktail presentations that had our exclusive panel of buyers in awe of each spirit's nuanced flavor profile and distinct characteristics. See their tasting notes below. in the