Highland Imports hosted an education session and cocktail competition featuring Gray Whale Gin at Olives and Oil in New Haven on May 14. Gray Whale Gin Co-founder and Distiller Marsh Mokhtari gave a presentation while guests enjoyed food and drink specials from Olives and Oil. The cocktail competition followed, where local bartenders crafted original creations. The winners were Carolyn “Bambi” Flaherty of Elm City Social in first place, Roger Gross of Sherkaan Indian Street Food in second place and Michela Zurstadt of both The Essex and Los Charros took third place. Gray Whale small-batch gin honors the California Gray Whale, which makes a 12,000-mile migration from the Baja Peninsula to the waters of the Arctic.
-
- Highland Imports hosted a cocktail competition highlighting Gray Whale Gin at Olives and Oil on May 14.
-
- Gray Whale Gin Co-founder and Distiller Marsh Mokhtari gave trade guests a background on his company’s gin, created using botanicals which are foraged along the Pacific coastline migratory path of the California Gray Whale.
-
- First-place winner Carolyn “Bambi” Flaherty of Elm City Social.
-
- Flaherty’s winning cocktail, Whale Here Ya Go.
-
- Second-place winner Roger Gross of Sherkaan Indian Street Food.
-
- Gross’ cocktail, Antique Scrimshaw.
-
- Third-place winner Michaela Zurstadt of The Essex and Los Charros.
-
- Zurstadt’s cocktail, Sail Away.
-
- Craig Ventrice, Spirits Portfolio Manager, Highland Imports; Second-place winner Roger Gross, Sherkaan Indian Street Food; Max Fiore, Beverage Manager, Olives and Oil; Marsh Mokhtari, Co-founder and Distiller, Gray Whale Gin; First-place winner Carolyn “Bambi” Flaherty, Elm City Social; and Third-place winner Michaela Zurstadt, The Essex and Los Charros.
-
- Competitor Corrine Ferrante.
-
- Competitor Deon Ross.
-
- Competitor Andy Fuentes.
-
- Competitor Jenna Geysen.
-
- Competitor Dustin Amore.
-
- Competitor Dan Shekman.
-
- Competitor Moises Ramirez.
-
- Competitors’ creations using Gray Whale Gin.
