Worldwide Wines hosted a brand education and tasting featuring Diplomático Rum at New Haven’s Olives and Oil on July 24. Diplomático Rum’s Master Distiller, Nelson Hernández, discussed details of the Venezuelan brand’s history and led a tasting of the Diplomático Rum line, which includes Mantuano, Reserva Exclusiva, Planas, Distillery Collection No. 1 and No. 2, Single Vintage and Ambassador. Following the brand education, eight bartenders competed in a bartending competition, crafting cocktails mixed with Diplomático Rum for a panel of judges: Emmanuel Pena, National Brand Ambassador, Diplomático Rum; Dan Shekman, General Manager, Oak Haven Table & Bar; and Vincent Rossetti, Craft Portfolio Manager, Eder Bros., Inc. The winners were Roger Gross of Ordinary and Elm City Social who came in at first place; Michela Zurstadt of The Essex in second; and Conrad Meurice of Chango Rosa took third place.
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- Competitor Moises Ramirez, Ordinary.
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- Competitor Raul Diaz, Olives and Oil.
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- Competitor Colleen Cushman.
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- Nelson Hernández, Master Distiller, Diplomático Rum; first-place winner Roger Gross of Ordinary and Elm City Social; third-place winner Conrad Meurice of Chango Rosa; and second-place winner Michela Zurstadt of The Essex.
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- Tanya Raisz Porcelli, Sales Representative, Worldwide Wines; Nelson Hernández, Master Distiller, Diplomático Rum; and Nick Neves, Portfolio Manager, Worldwide Wines.
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- Competitor Michela Zurstadt, The Essex.
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- Hernández with participants and guests during the evening’s festivities.
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- Competitor Dorian Dorsey, Mecha Noodle Bar.
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- Expressions of Diplomático Rum include Planas, Mantuano and Reserva Exclusiva.
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- Competitor Conrad Meurice, Chango Rosa.
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- Competition Winner Roger Gross, Ordinary and Elm City Social.
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- Competitor Christian Orlando, Barracuda Bistro & Bar.
