Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/566135
122 / the tasting panel / september 2015 PHOTO: JENNIFER MITCHELL PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO: JENNIFER MITCHELL PHOTOGRAPHY Dive into Pisco At the age of nine, Melanie Asher, Distiller and Master Blender for Macchu Pisco, already knew what she wanted to do with her life, and those who attended this year's Tales of the Cocktail could see that her dream had truly been realized. Melanie and her sister, Lizzie Asher, President of Macchu Pisco, began their week with a Peruvian Pisco lunch for all of the CAPS—the apprentices at Tales. Melanie shared the history of Pisco and educated the bartenders and beverage directors on hand about the three styles of Pisco and their grape varietals, while sipping on cocktails by Juan Coronado. When Duncan Nicol took the original recipe for the Pisco Punch to his grave, it led to many questions and thousands of variations over the past almost 90 years. To highlight the three different styles of Peru's Pisco, Macchu Pisco's tasting room at Tales was presented by the Trade Commission of Peru in Miami and featured six unique Pisco Punches, created by Naomi Levy, Brother Cleve, Jim Kearns and Tony Abou- Ganim. They wanted to keep it authentic and hone in on the history of this legendary drink, while showcasing the diversity of the aromatic and non-aromatic grapes. At the Dame Hall of Fame luncheon the following day, hosted at Ruth's Chris Steak House, Melanie was awarded with the prestigious Ruth Fertel Pioneer Award. "Having a spot in the sunlight in such a male-dominated industry was an unreal feeling," she exclaims. "But that doesn't mean there isn't more progress to be made for the dames in the spirits world." The duo's week wrapped with a seminar, entitled "Grape Escape: Peru's Pisco Varietals." It covered topics from growing the grapes to how to use it in cocktails, and they unveiled their aromatic single grape varietals of Italia and Moscatel. Melanie noted the added pressure that came with the seminar: "It is vital to our success that we educate about the spirit and the nuances of Pisco." Something they hope to continue for many Tales to come.—E. C. Ann Tuenerman, founder, Tales of the Cocktail; Helen Mackey, VP of Menu Strategy & Innovation for Ruth's Chris Steak House; Melanie Asher, founder and Master Distiller of Macchu Pisco; Lizzie Asher, President of Macchu Pisco; and Jose Hermisillo, founder of Casa Noble Tequila. Tony Abou-Ganim's modern twist on the Pisco Punch at Macchu Pisco's Tasting Room at Tales of the Cocktail.