Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/455266
80 / the tasting panel / january/february 2015 COCKTAIL WEEKS W ith Arizona Cocktail Week around the corner (February 14–21), one of the industry's most anticipated cocktail com- petitions is upon us! Last Slinger Standing, now in its fourth year, pits teams of some of the Southwest's top USBG 'tenders against each other in a head-to-head battle, complete with secret ingredients that are sure to keep the slingers—and the crowd—on their toes! With five competitors from each team ready to step up, the talent is high, but this year, Slinger has upped the ante, adding a wildcard con- testant to the mix! We've listed the teams below, so get ready to cheer on your local favorites on Monday, February 16 at Bitter & Twisted in Downtown Phoenix. To RSVP, visit www.arizonacocktailweek.com. Good luck to all of the contestants . . . now ready, set, sling! Arizona Team Captains: Aaron Defeo & Micah Olson Joshua James, Clever Koi, Phoenix Matthew Talavera, Hotel Congress, Tucson Brandon Casey, Citizen Public House, Scottsdale Erick Bonrmann, Flycatcher & Crudo, Tucson and Phoenix Timothy LaFaver Jr., Bitter & Twisted, Phoenix Alternate: Brian Goodwin, The Gladly, Phoenix Colorado Team Captain: Chad Michael George Adam Hodak, Green Russell, Denver Stuart Jensen, Mercantile, Denver Chris Clewell, Acorn, Denver Brittney Wangsness, TAG, Denver Ryan Conklin, Denver Alternate: Tracy Rowland, Vail Nevada Team Captains: Andrew Pollard & Chris Hopkins Joe Intiso, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Las Vegas Tim Weigel, Hakkasan, Las Vegas Isaac Diaz, Red Rock Casino April Simms, Rose. Rabbit. Lie., Las Vegas Rodger Gillespie, Cromwell, Las Vegas Alternate: Julian Luna, Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas Wildcard Holly Booth, High West Distillery, Park City Utah We want to see YOU at AZCW! The TASTING PANEL is proud to partner with Arizona Cocktail Week on a series of fantastic events this year! Look for us at our annual Craft Spirit Speakeasy on Saturday and Sunday, February 14–15, and our famous live Speed Tasting during the Artisanal Spirit & Cocktail Market on Monday, February 16. All events are hosted at the Hotel Valley Ho's Sands Room. To RSVP to the Speakeasy, email rburkons@tastingpanelmag.com. The Arizona Cocktail Week is searching for a USBG wild card competitor to complete a list of sixteen slingers that will go head-to-head in February. Interested? Learn more at arizonacocktailweek.com\lastslingerstanding Entry Deadline : December 1st, 2014 FEBRUARY 14-21 2015 LAST SLINGER STANDING BRINGS OUT THE BEST OF THE SOUTHWEST Arizona Cocktail Week Comes Out with Guns Blazing!