Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), in collaboration with Highclere Castle Gin, hosted a cocktail competition at Harrie’s Jailhouse in Middletown on Feb. 24. Eight local bartenders participated, creating their best cocktails with Highclere Castle Gin for a panel of judges: Ruvin Bogati, Sales Representative, CDI; Renee Lemieux, Chief of Staff, Highclere Castle Gin; and Dana Badway, Casino and Chain Account Manager, CDI. The winners were first place: Olivia Olsen, ATC South Street; second place: Zachary O’Brien, Max Fish; and third place: Dustin Amore, Fire by Forge. Award-winning Highclere Castle Gin was launched in 2019 and founded by Connecticut resident Adam von Gootkin and the Eighth Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, owners of Highclere Castle, the estate made famous in the TV’s and film’s “Downton Abbey.” With more than 200 awards, Highclere Castle Gin is the most awarded premium gin brand in the world. Made with a unique blend of botanicals selected from the castle’s ancient estate gardens—including juniper, orange and lavender—the London Dry-style gin also uses estate-grown oats, which contribute to its smooth profile. The gin is distributed in Connecticut by CDI.
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- Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), in collaboration with Highclere Castle Gin, hosted a cocktail competition at Harrie’s Jailhouse in Middletown on Feb. 24.
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- Ruvin Bogati, Sales Representative, CDI; Adam von Gootkin, Founder, Highclere Castle Gin; and Brenny Savoy, Beverage Development Manager, CDI.
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- Ruvin Bogati, Sales Representative, CDI; Adam von Gootkin, Founder, Highclere Castle Gin; Brenny Savoy, Beverage Development Manager, CDI; Renee Lemieux, Chief of Staff, Highclere Castle Gin; and Dana Badway, Casino and Chain Account Manager, CDI.
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- First-place winner Olivia Olsen, ATC South Street.
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- Olsen’s cocktail.
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- Second-place winner Zachary O’Brien, Max Fish.
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- O’Brien’s cocktail.
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- Third-place winner Dustin Amore, Fire by Forge.
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- Amore’s cocktail.
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- Competitor Aaron Stepka, Founder/CEO, Drink Mechanics.
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- Stepka’s cocktail.
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- Competitor Tom Stokes, Dive Bar & Restaurant.
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- Stokes’ cocktail.
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- Competitor Henry Abbot, Harrie’s Jailhouse.
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- Abbot’s cocktail.
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- Competitor Zachary Lyons, Fruitful Mixology.
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- Lyons’ cocktail.
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- Competitor Kris McGowan, Wildcat.
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- McGowan’s cocktail.
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- Competitors’ cocktails featuring Highclere Castle Gin.
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- Olivia Olsen, ATC South Street; Aaron Stepka, Drink Mechanics; Tom Stokes, Dive Bar & Restaurant; Kris McGowan, Wildcat; Zachary O’Brien, Max Fish; Brenny Savoy, Beverage Development Manager, CDI; Adam von Gootkin, Founder, Highclere Castle Gin; Dustin Amore, Fire by Forge; Zachary Lyons, Fruitful Mixology; and Henry Abbot, Harrie’s Jailhouse.
Photos by Michael Leung.
