Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/898117
november 2017 / the tasting panel / 85 True to the spirit of its artisan craft spirits portfolio, The Artisanal Group of California—a division of Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits of California—threw a midday all-out bash for its Fall Trade Tasting this year. Definitely not your stan- dard hotel banquet hall affair, the event brought together an exciting collection of more than 70 artisan producers and 500- plus industry pros. It also featured a mixol- ogy competition, a silent charity auction, live graffiti art, and music by a local DJ, with everything unfolding in the uncon- ventional Arts District Brewing Company space in Downtown Los Angeles. The ever-expanding cocktail scene downtown proved to be the perfect setting for Sara Southern, The Artisanal Group's Southern California District Manager and her team. "We chose the location specifically because it is nonconventional," she says. "We knew it had to be cool, it had to be funky, and it had to be unique like our portfolio and our producers." The Artisanal Group began as a modest notion just four years ago with a goal of representing top-tier small-production spirits brands. Since then it's grown into a flourishing collection of must-have gems, distinguishing itself as the premier collec- tion of hip cocktail components for any contemporary bar program. From mezcal and tequila to American, Japanese, and Scotch whiskies to handcrafted gin and rum, The Artisanal Group has all that and more. They also push a cool collection of artisan mixers, syrups, and non-alcoholic spirits, and, as their new slogan states, "The Proof Is in the Bottle." Kelcey Fisher, also known as KFish, is a fixture of the L.A. street art scene and hand-painted trunks that were auctioned off to benefit the Downtown Women's Center. The team from Liquid Alchemist gathers around their wares: Jonathan Keim, Owner, Kokolato; Randy Tarlow, Founder, and Robbie Gregg, Brand Ambassador, Liquid Alchemist; and Lauren Plutsky, Owner, Skyebrooke Brands. Stephen Kurpinsky of George's at the Cove in La Jolla won first place in the cocktail competition with his Plantation Rum–based Ayer cocktail featuring serrano spice and al pastor taco mix.