The Tasting Panel magazine

March 2012

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UP IN THE AIR The Proximo Spirits team in front of the Hangar One blimp in Long Beach, CA. Jeremy Jordan, Area Sales Manager, Andrea Kelly, Regional Sales Director, Kensey Davis, Senior Marketing Manager and Danielle Palma, National Promotions Manager pose in their Hangar One aviators. Bartender Blimp Blitz I THE TASTING PANEL GOES ALOFT WITH HANGAR ONE VODKA by Rachel Burkons / photos by Maria Schriber Blimp Captain Brett Viets gives the thumbs-up, while THE TASTING PANEL's Rachel Burkons manages a smile and a wave before taking to the skies as part of the Hangar One Vodka National Blimp Tour. t's not a stretch to say that I don't care for heights. I'm not necessarily terrified, but I'm not gleefully signing up to jump out of airplanes, either. I guess I'm a solid seven on the acrophobia scale, nestled between uncom- fortable indifference and panic-induced tears. But when the Hangar One Vodka blimp touched down in Long Beach in mid-January, I didn't think twice: I needed to be on that blimp. So I joined a VIP group of retailers, dis- tributors and buyers for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride in the airship, quelling any lingering Hindenburg-related paranoia with a pre-flight Hangar One cocktail, courtesy of the blimp's Tour Manager, Diego Certuchi, who explained the nuances of the lineup: Hangar One Straight is made from Viognier grapes; Spiced Pear is small-batch-distilled and pairs like a dream with ginger beer. I emerged from the tiny basket unscathed— relaxed even! What a smooth ride!—and certain of one thing: The Hangar One blimp is an awesome mascot for a brand that's quickly become a darling of the mixology set. In 2011, the Hangar One tour touched down in markets from Atlantic City and Cleveland to Boston and Miami, and, at each stop along the way, challenged each city's best bartenders to whip up a Hangar One cocktail on film. Hangar Fans have been voting for their favorite cocktailians on the brand's Facebook page, and now, it's the Golden State's chance to shine. The blimp will take to the skies over L.A., San Diego and hipster music-fest/ baccchanalia Coachella, before the blimp's final touchdown in San Francisco, just a few miles away from Hangar One's hometown of Alameda. "It's great to be in our home state of California," explains Area Sales Manager Jeremy Jordan; "we're all about locally- sourced ingredients and connecting with the communities we farm, and this is a nice way to tie that all together." Tying it all together while tying one on with the blimp tour has been a huge marketing boon for the brand, but ultimately, it's the industry's passion for the product that's made Hangar One a mixology mainstay. "It's great to be a part of this challenge," explains Bobby Bodell, a bartender at Westlake Village CA's Mediterraneo. "Hangar One has literally the best flavored vodkas on the market—they're great to work with!" Vote Now! Bartenders from all across the country need your vote! Head to http://www.facebook. com/hangaronevodka to vote now, or use your smartphone to scan this QR code. march 2012 / the tasting panel / 99

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