Opici Family Distributing of Connecticut hosted a bartending competition showcasing 1921 Tequila at Taco Guy in Norwalk on April 16. Six local bartenders created their best cocktails using the tequila as a base spirit for judges Adrian Hurtado, Owner, Taco Guy; Tomas Zavala-Codero, U.S. Commercial Manager, Casa 1921; and Linda Kavanagh, Owner, MaxEx Public Relations. The winners were first place: Sam Reyes, Owner and Bartender, Mariposa Taqueria; second place: Konrad Dziedzic, Bartender, Greer Southern Table; and third place: Trevor Rosetta, Mecha Noodle Bar. Founded in 1996, 1921 Tequila’s name refers to the end of the Mexican revolutionary war. Its agave is grown slowly in the red soil in the Highlands of Jalisco, resulting in its unique taste.
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- 1921 Tequila in Blanco, Reposado and Añejo expressions.
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- Adrian Hurtado, Owner, Taco Guy, who also served as a competition judge, preps the bar.
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- First-place winner Sam Reyes, Owner and Bartender, Mariposa Taqueria.
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- Judges toast with Reyes’ winning cocktail, Birds and the Bees: 1921 Añejo Tequila, chile liqueur, lime juice, salted mango honey, Bittermens Xocolatl Mole Bitters and egg white, garnished with a Tajín spicy mango leather.
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- Second-place winner Konrad Dziedzic, Bartender, Greer Southern Table.
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- Dziedzic’s cocktail.
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- Third-place winner Trevor Rosetta, Mecha Noodle Bar.
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- Rebecca Legoute, Bartender, 29 Markle Ct.
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- Legoute’s cocktail.
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- Ross Silver, Bar Manager, Flinders Lane Kitchen & Bar.
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- Silver’s cocktail.
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- Competitor Alejandro Martel, Bartender, Taco Guy.
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- Competition judges Adrian Hurtado, Owner, Taco Guy; Tomas Zavala-Codero, U.S. Commercial Manager, Casa 1921; and Linda Kavanagh, Owner, MaxEx Public Relations.
Photos by Andrew Dominick.
