Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon (UND) added local bartender Ian Crowley to its team as Brand Ambassador in January 2022. A veteran of the Connecticut hospitality industry, Crowley will work as a liaison to the brand’s on-premise accounts, said Justin Morales, Co-owner, Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon. Available in the state through Brescome Barton, the brand’s expressions include Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon with a mash bill of corn 75%, rye 21% and barley malt 4%; Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon Pumpkin Mash, which infuses pumpkin and seasonal spices into the original blend; and the brand’s latest release, The Colonel’s Cut, 118 Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey, infused with figs and spices. The Up n’ Down line is formulated and bottled in East Hartford at Central Connecticut Distillers. On Feb. 3, the brand’s Up n’ Down the Block Restaurant Crawl in West Hartford hosted the UND team in collaboration with distributor Brescome Barton and the Doro Group’s Zohara Mediterranean Kitchen, A’vert Brasserie and Treva Restaurant & Bar, all highlighting the Connecticut-based spirit. Tickets enabled guests a three-stop timed pairing crawl: first at Treva for an appetizer of sweet potato ravioli, brown butter, hazelnuts and figs paired with a cocktail of UND, Cynar, mint, fig, lemon and spiced bitters; second at Zohara, where the group enjoyed Za’tar Oysters and beluga lentils with a UND, Gran Classico Bitter Liqueur, lemon sorbet and Roobius iced tea cocktail; and at Treva, a dessert course of UND bread pudding, bourbon caramel with caramel and sea salt gelato paired with a cocktail creation of UND, winter mint, ginger and citrus. UND’s signature Night Rider and Old Fashioned cocktails were also showcased for guests.

Photos by Sam Dziecol, Co-owner, Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon.