Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/869846
22 / the tasting panel / september 2017 TOTC Altos Tequila's LuchaSlam featured the luchadors from Los Angeles' Lucha VaVOOM. A fitting initiation to the Tales festivities was a visit to the Absolut Bloody Mary bar, where an astonishing array of garnishes allowed guests to gussy up their Bloody Mary or Michelada any way they'd like. With the humidity and heat creeping up in tandem, a dip at the top of the Hotel Monteleone with Redemption Rye was a must. Other brands showcased their products at the pool as well, and Bittercube stole the show with their bitters-flavored, ready-to-garnish gummy bears. Sunny skies soon gave way to rain, but the weather didn't deter us from dashing down the street to "proto-tiki" bar Cane & Table to celebrate National Daiquiri Day with Bacardi. Bartenders from all over the U.S., including Julio Cabrera from Miami and Juan Coronado, Category Rum Brand Ambassador for Bacardi, came together to whip up their Daiquiri renditions for attendees packed wall-to-wall. Once evening fell, bars from Austin, Miami and more took to the mat at Altos Tequila's Mexican wrestling-themed LuchaSlam party with representation from luchadors of Los Angeles' Lucha VaVOOM. For those not ready to retire just yet, a trip to the banks of the Mississippi River led to William Grant & Sons' Love Supreme party. Their broad portfolio of brands was well represented, from the Alice in Wonderland-like hedge wall that occasionally proffered Hendrick's Gin drinks from hidden panels to Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum offering free tattoos while Reyka Vodka Brand Ambassador Trevor Schneider served pours while stand- ing atop a branded shed doubling as a bar. For those looking for something more educational, Glenfiddich and The Balvenie provided an opportunity to chat with the William Grant & Sons Master Blender himself, David Stewart MBE. The following afternoon found us at Beam Suntory's "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" event, where the Beam brand ambassadors donned their best Cheers regalia. A private side room provided a more intimate atmosphere for a tasting of Beam's ultra-premium and rare offerings, which were served with a side of freshly-shucked oysters. Jim Beam's seventh- generation Master Distiller Fred Noe was there, toasting with El Tesoro 70 th Aniversario Extra Añejo Tequila alongside El Tesoro's Master Distiller Carlos Camarena. Noe was overheard remarking, "I'm a bourbon man; I don't drink tequila. But if I do, I drink El Tesoro!" Bombay Sapphire's Most Imaginative Bartender Competition is currently underway, and journalists had a chance to pair with one of 12 finalists to come up with a unique cocktail using their secret ingredient. (We did not take home first place, which we chalk up to our very difficult secret ingredient of banana and not to the skills of our excellent coach, finalist Eddie DiDonato of Leunig's Bistro in Burlington, Vermont.) We capped off our Tales experience with the "Rum Bass" Bacardi portfolio tropical-themed party. Drinks here came in many forms, from D'USSÉ popsicles to Japanese shaved ice cones with Bombay Sapphire and tonic. There was also a draft wall featuring six cocktails for guests to sample. Performers dressed as large flamingos paraded around the party on stilts, and cocktails made with Bacardi's new Major Lazer rum were served in Bacardi coconuts. A quick visit to Erin Rose for an Irish iced coffee the next morning, and we were off to the airport. Until next year, NOLA! A Tale of a City by Jesse Hom-Dawson PHOTO COURTESY OF BOMBAY SAPPHIRE PHOTO: JESSE HOM-DAWSON Tasting Panel's Managing Editor Jesse Hom-Dawson tries her hand at mixology with the help of Bombay Sapphire Most Imaginative Bartender finalist Eddie DiDonato.