Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/518118
104 / the tasting panel / june 2015 COMPETITIONS Call for Cocktails The Call for Cocktails competition allotted each contestant 15 minutes to prepare a drink of his or her choosing that showcased the spirit he or she was representing. Judges considered taste, creativity, originality, presenta- tion and overall impression when choosing their winners. Contestants representing Crillon Importers, Branded Spirits USA, Blue Chair Bay, Heaven Hill, Anchor Distilling, Lucas Bols, Philadelphia Distilling, Proximo Spirits, Arcus, LiDestri, Azzurre Spirits and El Decreto Tequila thoughtfully prepared every aspect of the cocktail experience—from glassware to garnish. The panel of judges—which included: George Diaz, Orlando Sentinel sports columnist; Gary Gruver, President of USBG Kentucky and Mixologist for Southern Wine & Spirits; Philip Dobard, VP of SoFAB Institute; Eric Hay, Wirtz Beverage Illinois' Beverage Development Manager; and Nick Nistico, Premier Beverage Company's Beverage Program Development Specialist—had their work cut out for them, with 12 cocktails to sip before a decision could be made. While each judge had his favorite, one thing seemed undeniable: all of the competitors came to play, producing cocktail after cocktail that impressed. In the end, Chris Chamberlain's cocktail, "Barrel Hidden in the Tropics," stood out from the rest, earning him first place in the Call for Cocktails competition. Chamberlain, the Portfolio Manager and Mixologist for Philadelphia Distilling, blended a combination of Bluecoat Barrel Finish Gin and Amaro Montenegro with honey syrup, lemon juice, smoked pineapple juice and Greek yogurt. He then garnished the bright, floral smoky cocktail with a caramelized pineapple sphere. Judges were impressed with Chamberlain's presentation, as well as his finesse with ingredients like the Greek yogurt, which added flavor, while the whipped egg whites provided the texture. Chamberlain attributed his success in the competition to simplicity meant to highlight the Philadelphia Distilling brands, explaining, "Simplicity goes further than anything else." Other standouts in the competi- tion included Troy Clarke's "Beach Day" cocktail, representing Proximo Spirits and Caesar Diaz's "Helen's Spring" cocktail, representing Crillon Importers, coming in second and third in the competition, respectively. Wholesaler Iron Mixologist Later in the day, the contest heated up as the Wholesaler Iron Mixologist competition was underway in the convention hall, attracting onlookers from all facets of the industry, ready to watch some of the country's best mixologists work magic into a glass. Representatives from six of the nation's top liquor distributors competed in Orlando to prove their mixology chops. Contestants were given three secret ingredients—pineapple, prickly pear and fresh herbs—and 30 minutes to create an aperitif and a long drink cocktail to present to the judges. The pineapple and prickly pear were to be used only once, but the fresh herbs needed to appear in both cocktails. The competition was stiff, but the atmosphere was lighthearted, as the colleagues and friends-turned- competitors mixed and muddled their way through the competition. The contestants for this year's competition included: Caterina Miltenberger, Glazer's Distributors' Corporate Mixologist; Nick Nistico, Premier Beverage Company's Beverage Program Development Specialist; Sly Cosmopoulos, Republic National Distributing Company's Corporate Mixologist National Accounts; Armando Rosario, Southern Wine & Spirits' Master Mixologist and Spirits Educator; Troy Clarke, Martignetti Companies' Director of Mixology and Spirits Educator; and Johnny Costello, Wirtz Beverage Illinois' Beverage Development Specialist. Each contestant brought his or her own style to the competition. Clarke channeled his creativity into the glass, serving his aperitif in a soda bottle with the words, "the road less trav- From left to right: Chris Chamberlain (first place), Troy Clarke (second place), Tony Abou-Ganim and Caesar Diaz (third place) present their hard earned cocktail shakers after win- ning the 2015 WSWA Call for Cocktails competition. This year's WSWA Wholesaler Iron Mixologists pose with WSWA models and emcee Tony Abou-Ganim. Competitors Caterina Miltenberger of Glazer's, who won Best Long Drink, and Nick Nistico of Premier, who won Best Aperitif and Best in Show, proudly display their cocktail shaker awards.