Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/723381
september 2016 / the tasting panel / 59 JENNIFER MITCHELL PHOTOGRAPHY That same evening, William Grant's afterparty was themed the "Party on Your Palate" and was an ode to the senses. Originally envisioned by Milagro Tequila Texas Ambassador JP DeLeora, the party showcased all of William Grant's brands, each in its own unique setting. Décor included tongues, taste buds and noses big enough to crawl inside while sipping Hendrick's Gin cocktails at the Hendrick's Bar of Aromatic Absurdity. On the smaller side, two stand-outs included the Casa Noble Tequila Lounge and Deep Eddy Vodka's Texas Swing Canteen. Casa Noble Tequila's founder Jose "Pepe" Hermosillo hosted a lounge dubbed La Casa de Tequila y Cerveza for two days during Tales. An oasis of calm a few blocks from the center of Tales activity, it featured bars pouring Casa Noble cocktails and shots alongside bottles of cold beer, live music and a secret room in the back where Pepe himself manned the bar and poured his exclusively French oak-aged tequila for those who made it in. The Deep Eddy Vodka Swing Canteen was a 1940s mess hall dance, complete with a marvelous array of Deep Eddy Vodka cocktails served from custom tin cans by the Deep Eddy Bettys, while New Orleans's own The Victory Belles, a World War II Museum–based singing trio à la The Andrews Sisters, beautifully harmonized wartime jazz standards to get the crowd "in the mood." Deep Eddy VP of Marketing Brandon Cason flanked by The Victory Belles and a couple of Deep Eddy Bettys. PHOTO: DAVID RANSOM PHOTO: DAVID RANSOM Casa Noble's Jose "Pepe" Hermosillo behind the bar at La Casa de Tequila y Cerveza. Nashville's Jonathan Howard mixing up Montelobos Mezcal Bailando con Lobos ("Dancing with Wolves") cocktails.