Brown-Forman hosted a Sour Smackdown bartending competition at Olives and Oil in New Haven on April 7. The event began with a brand education session led by Akie Smythe, CT State Manager, Brown-Forman, who gave trade guests a background on Fords Gin, Old Forester Bourbon, Diplomático Rum and Herradura Tequila. The competition immediately followed, where seven local bartenders created their best sour cocktail variations—a French 75 with Fords Gin, a Whiskey Sour featuring Old Forester Bourbon, a Daiquiri with Diplomático Rum and a Margarita featuring Herradura Tequila—for a panel of judges. The winner, chosen through the metrics of speed and balance, was Amanda DeMusis of The Owl Shop.
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- Competitors Samuel Taft, Mecha Noodle Bar, New Haven; David Bermudez, Siena Ristorante; Jake Melvin, Olives and Oil; Winner Amanda DeMusis, The Owl Shop; Bianca DeJesus, Anchor Spa; Nate Zalegowski, Gioia; Silveria Esquivel, Ordinary; and Deon Ross, General Manager, Olives and Oil and Event Emcee. Kneeling: Jose Colon, Elm City Social.
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- Brown-Forman hosted a Sour Smackdown bartending competition at Olives and Oil in New Haven on April 7.
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- Competitor Nate Zalegowski, Gioia showcasing Old Forester 86 Proof Bourbon and Fords Gin.
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- Winner Amanda DeMusis, The Owl Shop.
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- Competitor Jake Melvin, Olives and Oil.
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- Competitor Nate Zalegowski, Gioia.
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- Competitor Samuel Taft, Mecha Noodle Bar, New Haven.
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- Competitor Jose Colon, Elm City Social.
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- Competitor David Bermudez, Siena Ristorante.
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- Deon Ross, General Manager, Olives and Oil and Event Emcee and Akie Smythe, CT State Manager, Brown-Forman.
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- Competitor Silveria Esquivel, Ordinary.
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- Competitor Bianca DeJesus, Anchor Spa.
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- Winner Amanda DeMusis, The Owl Shop accepting the competition’s championship belt.
Photos by Alejandro Villacorta.
