Connecticut Distributors, Inc., hosted a cocktail competition featuring Tuck Gin at Elm City Social in New Haven on March 10. Local bartenders competed, making their best cocktails using Tuck Gin for judges. Winning First Place was Jake Melvin, Olives and Oil; Second Place: Ozzy Casco, Jolene; Third Place: Mike Dempsey, The Owl Shop; and People’s Choice: Karina Soto, 1928 Cocktail Club. Founded in Westport, Connecticut, by three friends, Tuck Gin takes its name from the Saugatuck River. The line includes Tuck Gin, Barrel Finished Gin (aged in French oak barrels previously used for red wine) and its Tuck & Tea canned line, which takes its gin and creates a noncarbonated canned cocktail blended with organic black and green teas and a small amount of pure cane sugar. Tuck Gin is distributed in the state by Connecticut Distributors, Inc.
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- Heather Kolodziej, Brand Ambassador and Jonathan Davies, Owner/President, Tuck Gin.
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- Deon Ross, Event Emcee and General Manager, Olives and Oil highlighting Tuck Gin and Barrel Finished Gin.
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- First-place winner Jake Melvin, Olives and Oil.
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- People’s Choice winner Karina Soto, 1928 Cocktail Club.
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- Third-place winner Mike Dempsey, The Owl Shop.
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- Competitor Bryan Harver, Elm City Social.
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- Competitor Tina Poland, Àvert.
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- Poland’s cocktail.
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- Roland Texeira, Cast Iron Chef Chop House & Oyster Bar.
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- Matt Johnson, The Gilded Curtain.
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- Competition judges Darryl Wells, Atticus Market; Jonathan Davies, Owner/President, Tuck Gin; and Genna Bestmann, The Owl Shop.
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- Competitor Christian Mendoza, Hilltop Kitchen.
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- Back Row: Harrison Engstrom, Ideal Tavern; Jake Melvin, Olives and Oil; Karina Soto, 1928 Cocktail Club; Genna Bestmann, The Owl Shop; Mike Dempsey, The Owl Shop; Jonathan Davies, Owner/President, Tuck Gin; Ozzie Casco, Jolene; and Bryan Harver, Elm City Social. Front Row: Matt Johnson, The Gilded Curtain; Christian Mendoza, Hilltop Kitchen; and Roland Texeira, Cast Iron Chef Chop House & Oyster Bar.
Photos by Alejandro Villacorta.
