During the month of October, Up N’ Down Rock and Bourbon raised funds for breast cancer research and awareness, donating $1 for every bottle sold, a cause close to the founders. The brand was created by the Connecticut bar and hospitality team of Justin Morales, Sam Dziecol and David Gilmore; Dziecol is in remission after being treated for the cancer. Up N’ Down Rock and Bourbon is made in East Hartford at Central Connecticut Distillers and uses honey, figs, bark, orange zest, bitters and rock candy to create its unique flavor profile. It has a mash bill of corn 75%, rye 21% and barley malt 4%, making it an official Rock and Bourbon. Up N’ Down Rock and Bourbon Pumpkin Mash features straight bourbon, blended with pumpkin, maple, spices, diverse bitters and a “pop of rock candy.” While original Up ‘N Down Rock and Bourbon is bottled at 40 ABV/80, Pumpkin Mash is bottled at 42 ABV/84 proof. Tasting showcases continued to highlight the new brand with several events, including themed dinners at Union Kitchen, a Fall Harvest Cigar & Whiskey Dinner at Red Fox in Middletown and a Devil’s Delight Dinner at Fork & Fire, held in conjunction with distributor Brescome Barton.
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- Bottles of Up N’ Down Rock and Bourbon and Up N’ Down Rock and Bourbon Pumpkin Mash at Fork & Fire’s four-course themed Devil’s Delight Dinner.
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- Union Kitchen’s four-course bourbon dinner by Chef Zachary Sherman and Chef De Cuisine Timothy East began with an Up N’ Down Pumpkin Mash pour paired with acorn squash tortellini, pork belly, caramelized Gala apple and brown butter and sage.
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- Union Kitchen’s main course showcased the Allspice Old Fashioned cocktail paired with New York Strip, sweet potato purée and glazed root vegetables.
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- An Up N’ Down Rock and Bourbon Pumpkin Spice Martini was paired with a sugar pumpkin tartlet with candied orange and pecan crumble for the dessert course.
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- Up N’ Down Rock and Bourbon Night Rider Espresso Martinis with Dave Marino, Brescome Barton: Sarah Alokones, Brescome Barton; Sam Dziecol, Co-Founder, Up N’ Down Rock and Bourbon; Jillian Carey, Brescome Barton; Justin Morales, Co-Founder, Up N’ Down Rock and Bourbon and Sugar Skull Spirits, LLC.
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- An Up N’ Down Rock and Bourbon Pumpkin Mash Cocktail.
