Amaro Montenegro was showcased at a seminar and cocktail competition at BAR in New Haven on April 8. Jim Palumbo, Amaro Montenegro’s New York Brand Ambassador, led an educational talk on the Italian liqueur, which is crafted using a 130-year-old recipe of more than 40 botanicals. The brand’s balanced yet bittersweet flavor makes it a versatile option in a variety of cocktails. Organized by Sean Gavaghan, Manager, BAR, and emceed by Deon Ross, General Manager, Olives and Oil, with music spun by DJ Devon, the winner was BAR’s Bryce Wade. In second was Suzie Johnson, Fire by Forge, and third was Rylea Armad, Sherkaan Indian Street Food. Amaro Montenegro is distributed in the state by Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI). Representatives from the brand’s importer, E. & J. Gallo Winery, were in attendance, as was the CDI team. Guests enjoyed an ice luge and a bar, where frozen Amaro Montenegro was served along with BAR pizza.
-
- Amaro Montenegro was showcased at a seminar and cocktail competition at BAR in New Haven on April 8. Guests enjoyed an ice luge and a bar, where frozen Amaro Montenegro was served.
-
- Amaro Montenegro is crafted using a 130-year-old recipe of more than 40 botanicals.
-
- Amaro Montenegro’s New York Brand Ambassador Jim Palumbo leading the brand education session.
-
- A group shot of the emcees, competitors and judges.
-
- Sean Gavaghan, Event Organizer and General Manager, BAR.
-
- Deon Ross, Event Emcee and General Manager, Olives and Oil.
-
- Cocktail competition winner Bryce Wade, BAR.
-
- Wade’s winning cocktail, Flaming Cape Gooseberry.
-
- Second-place winner Suzie Johnson, Fire by Forge.
-
- Johnson’s second-place cocktail, The Passionate Princess.
-
- Third-place winner Rylea Armad, Sherkaan Indian Street Food.
-
- Armad’s third-place cocktail, The Daddy Daiq.
-
- Competitor Sean Richard, Mecha Noodle Bar.
-
- Competitor Bianca DeJesus, Anchor Spa.
-
- Competitor Chris Altavilla, Sherkaan Indian Street Food.
-
- Competitor Zach O’Brien, Max Fish.
-
- Competitor Benego Castellanos, Redding Country Club.
-
- Competitor Jose Colon, Elm City Social.
-
- Competitor Chelsea Bowler, Haven Beer Company.
-
- Competitor Marstello Petrone, Gioia and Ordinary.
-
- Competitor Mike Dempsey, The Owl Shop.
-
- Competition Judges: Jason Snapkoski, Owner, Drinks for Days; Shane McGowan, Owner, Wildcat; Madison Vestergaard, Opici Family Distributing; and Genna Bestmann, Bar Manager, The Owl Shop.
-
- Competition winner Bryce Wade, BAR.
Photos 9-20 by Casey Goulden. Photos 1-8, 21-23 by Alejandro Villacourta.
