Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/832383
THE WHOLESALER IRON MIXOLOGIST COMPETITION Modeled much like the popular television show Iron Chef, seven highly respected mixologists, representing their wholesaler com- pany, competed head to head in a timed event—tasked with creating two original cocktails incorporating one or more of the secret ingredients revealed on the spot. This year's secret ingredients: guava and blood orange. A packed crowd watched mixologists use one or both of these components to create an aperitif and a long drink cocktail as large overhead clocks ticked away above them. The judging criteria was based the following categories: use of secret ingredients, taste, creativity, presentation and overall. The judges for the 2017 Wholesaler Iron Mixologist Competition (top left, clockwise): Derek Brown, leading spirits and drinks expert, Columbia Room, Mockingbird Hill, Eat the Rich and Southern Efficiency, Washington, D.C.; Wayne Curtis, author, A Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails; Caterina Miltenberger, founder and Chief Mixologist, Caterina Creative Culinary; and Jonathan Pogash, The Cocktail Guru. Emcee and mixologists for the 2017 Wholesaler Iron Mixologist Competition (left to right): Tony Abou-Ganim, The Modern Mixologist, Executive Director of Competitions; David Ortiz, Mixologists/ Spirits Specialist, Republic National Distributing Company; Tripper Duval, Mixologist, Badger Liquor; Nick Nistico, Beverage Program Specialist, Breakthru Beverage Florida; Casey Wallin, Mixologist, Young's Market Company; Travis Fourmont, Cocktail Ambassador, CSS, Great Lakes Wine & Spirits; Max A. Solano, Beverage Program Specialist/Whisky & Spirits Educator Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits of Nevada; and Troy Clarke, Director of Mixology & Spirits Education, Martignetti Companies. Nick Nistico, proudly showing off his trophies and his son. Nistico won for his apertif, "Sherry in the Garden" (see recipe), and his long drink, "Stand Up Tall," featuring 360 Vodka. Emcee Tony Abou-Ganim shows off his Kush Agave swag with Long Drink Cocktail winner David Ortiz. 4/20 Kush Fizz by David Ortiz, Mixologist and Spirits Specialist, Republic National Distributing Company ◗ 2 oz. Kush Agave ◗ ¾ oz. lime juice ◗ ¾ oz. Aqua Faba ◗ ¾ oz. macha-rosemary raw sugar syrup ◗ ¾ oz. The Perfect Purée Pink Guava Purée ◗ Topped with Fever-Tree Club Soda In a Boston shaker, add all ingredients, shake hard and stain into vessel. Garnish with sprig of fresh rosemary. BEST IN SHOW W HO LE S A L E R I R O N M I XO L OG I S T 2 0 1 7 BEST LONG DRINK W HO LE S A L E R I R O N M I XO L OG I S T 2 0 1 7 BEST APERTIF W HO LE S A L E R I R O N M I XO L OG I S T 2 0 1 7 Sherry in the Garden by Nick Nistico, Beverage Program Specialist, Breakthru Beverage Florida ◗ 2 oz. Valdespino Fino Sherry ◗ 1 oz. Galliano L'Aperitvo ◗ ½ oz. pecan orgeat ◗ ½ oz. lemon juice ◗ 1 oz. blood orange juice Shake and strain into powdered sugar glass.