The New England Tequila & Rum Festival at Twin River Casino in Lincoln on April 30 through May 2, 2015 showcased the title-named spirits, beverage and food industry personalities as well as education and entertainment for spirit aficionados and trade professionals. Tastings, seminars and cocktail competitions were spread out over three days with highlights blending local, national and global names. Events included a Tequila Interchange Project Seminar, kick-off Bacardi dinner, Freaky Tiki Friday sponsored by Don Q Rum, the Grand Tasting, Northeast Espolón Tequila Cocktail Fights, chefs’ pairing sessions and the National Clément Ti’ Punch Cup Cocktail Competition. The culminating Awards Ceremony revealed the names of the best tequila, mezcal, rum and cachaça by a panel of experts.
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- Russell Davis, star of Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue,” served as the event’s emcee.
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- The Cocktail Chemists co-founders and USBG CT President and Vice President respectively, Dimitrios Zahariadis and Carl Summa mixed it up at the Northeast Espolón Tequila Cocktail Fights. Summa advanced to the regionals. The duo also presented cocktails at the opening dinner.
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- Meredith Fruzzetti, Rene Dionne, Ashley Parsons and Courtney Bissonnette, Brand Ambassadors, Roca Patron.
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- Aida Pena and Jennifer Poissant, Brand Ambassadors, Captain Morgan.
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- Arthur Chamberland, Pernod Ricard Portfolio Manager, Rhode Island Distributing Co.
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- Connecticut’s Paula Whitney, Marketing Director, Hotel California Tequila and Brian Whitney, CEO of Hotel California Tequila. Hotel California Tequila won a Gold for its Reposado.
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- Scott Fitzgerald, National Brand Ambassador, Mount Gay Barbados Rum.
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- Noah Griffith, Promotions, Blue Chair Bay.
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- John Henry, Partner, El Buho Mezcal.
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- Jamie Matos, Sales Representative for M.S. Walker with Grand Mayon Tequila.
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- Caiti Bourbeau and Jackie Connetti, Brand Ambassadors, Brugal Rum.
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- Clement Rhum, French Caribbean Rum.
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- Eric Queenan, Heineken Sales Representative, Rhode Island Distributing Co.
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- Nicholas Pelis, Managing Director, Citizen Spirits LLC.
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- Gary Dritschler, Market Manager, Campari America, showcased Appleton Estate Rum and Espolón Tequila.
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- USBG RI’s Vito Lantz of The Dorrance, Joaquin Meza of El Rancho Grande, and Carlos Garcia of New Harvest Coffee & Spirits compete in the Northeast Espolón Tequila Cocktail Fights. Lantz advanced to the regionals.
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- Bartender Kayleigh Speck of the Grange takes the win during the National Clément Ti’ Punch Cup Cocktail Competition.
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- Guests included Gail Ciampi of The Providence Journal (left forefront) and Jonathan Pogash, The Cocktail Guru (right forefront).
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- The tasting panel judges were broken into tequila, mezcal, rum and cachaça categories. Pictured are Benjamin Jones, Esteban Ordonez, Russell Davis and Junior Merino. Other local, national and international names included Willie Shine, Anthony Pullen, Marshall Altier, Jonathan Pogash, Paul Senft, Michael Lester, Jennifer Ferreira, Troy Clarke, Edward Korry, Justin Noel, Christopher Sinclair and Ian Williams.
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- Appleton Rum National Brand Ambassador Willie Shine presented to bar professionals at The Eddy in Providence.
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- The opening night dinner hosted by respected rum expert, Senor Willie Ramos of Bacardi, shown with Chris Almeida, President of the United States Bartenders Guild Rhode Island (USBG RI) Chapter, and Frank Martucci, General Manager, Beverage Operations, Twin River Casino.
Photos by Chris Almedia
