By Anthony DeSerio
Guest Columnist Anthony DeSerio with Diageo World Class Champion 2014 Charles Jolie at the Diageo Backyard Barbeque Party at Tales of the Cocktail.
Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC) in New Orleans, Louisiana, was held on July 19-21, 2015 and is the ultimate industry event in the world. Anyone with a hand in the spirits industry, from brands, brand ambassadors, bartenders, writers and cocktail enthusiasts from around the globe, descended on the French Quarter of
New Orleans.
And what a time we had! Six days of spirited events, including seminars on both mint and how the human brain reacts to the sensory output of a cocktail, tasting rooms, competitions, and yes, a party or two. Of course, there was the obligatory imbibing around the city and visiting the bars and restaurants where the most iconic of cocktails originated. It’s all for a great cause, benefitting the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society.
And our friends from Connecticut, the USBG CT, bar owners and salespeople were also in attendance – supporting brands, competing in contests and working tasting rooms. This year was the busiest TOTC I have ever attended, and with 200 events going on at different times, it was difficult, but still fun, to meet and greet everyone. Through calls, texts and social media “Where are you?” was constantly on our phones. Respectably, we all were somewhere cool learning, networking, supporting and, of course, tasting. So where were we?
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As soon as I arrived, it was a must-visit to see a friend: William Grant and Son’s Portfolio Ambassador Charlotte Voisey working a guest “Dynamic Duos” shift at the Windsor Court Hotel.
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Months of overseas planning with The Wild Hibiscus Flower Company in Sydney, Australia led to day two of prepping over 1,500 samples of three different cocktails. Igor Zukowiec of Alchemiq, NY and I were teamed up to man the longest tasting bar of the week in the Hotel Monteleone’s “Corner Bar.”
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Months of overseas planning with The Wild Hibiscus Flower Company in Sydney, Australia led to day two of prepping over 1,500 samples of three different cocktails. Igor Zukowiec of Alchemiq, NY and I were teamed up to man the longest tasting bar of the week in the Hotel Monteleone’s “Corner Bar.”
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Day Three: As Igor Zukowiec and I were finally serving up samples, who shows up? Connecticut’s Shelby Thomas from Infinity Music Hall! While I was busy with the prior activities, where was everyone else?
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Playing with Pisco. Jaime Johel, USBG CT and Vespa, Westport; Diego Loret de Mola, Founder Barsol Pisco and CT Resident; Francesco Lafrancona, Director of Spirits Mixology and Education, Southern Wine and Spirits; and Tony Abou-Ganim, Star-tender. Photo courtesy of Diego Loret de Mola.
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Tasting with Anchor Distilling. Diego Loret de Mola, Founder Barsol Pisco and CT Resident; Keith Greggor, Owner and CEO, Anchor Distilling; Christtian Hurtado, Mezón, Danbury and a Cocktail Apprentice Program (CAP) participant at Tales. Photo courtesy of Diego Loret de Mola.
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North Haven’s Worldwide Wines and St. George Spirits at John Lafitte’s Old Absinthe House. Dave Smith, Head Stiller, St. George Spirits; Kevin Fethe, DVP Sales, St. George Spirits Northeast; Celly Roberts, Sales Representative, Worldwide Wines; Paul Skiera, DVP Sales, St. George Spirits Southeast; Bob Neville, Sales Representative, Worldwide Wines; and a few local revelers photobombing. Photo courtesy of Bob Neville.
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David Bouchard of USBG CT/MAX Group and Annie Blake at Bacardi’s Block Party.
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Tales attendees had access to limited tickets for a Diageo Backyard Barbecue Party, featuring amazing talent and cocktails.
Anthony DeSerio is a member of the United States Bartenders’ Guild Connecticut Chapter and has been tending to the bar for 18-plus years. He is also promoting the Roca Patrón line as an ambassador-at-large and holds multiple spirit certifications and awards.