The Local Sixty-Three in Watertown and Litchfield Distillery hosted a cocktail competition featuring Litchfield Distillery Straight Rye Whiskey on Nov. 13. The Manhattan Family Cocktail competition showcased the talents of six local bartenders who created their best cocktails for judges using the Connecticut-based brand of spirits. The winner was Sarah Cope with her cocktail Manhattan After Dark, a blend of Litchfield Distillery Straight Rye Whiskey, Foro Amaro, Punt e Mes Vermouth and Jerry Thomas Bitters. At 92 proof, Litchfield Distillery Straight Rye Whiskey is created from 70% winter rye and 30% malted barley. The rye transforms into sweet and spicy peppery notes, while the barley adds a hint of roasted toffee. Aging in special honey-combed cooperage helps increase the whiskey’s exposure to caramelized sugars in the barrel’s char. The brand is distributed via Slocum & Sons.
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- Litchfield Distillery showcased its Connecticut-made spirits, including the competition base spirit, Litchfield Distillery Straight Rye Whiskey, at The Local Sixty-Three in Watertown on Nov. 13.
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- Winner Sarah Cope; Doug Maloney, Brand Ambassador, Litchfield Distillery; Lauren Hansen, Owner and Bar Manager, The Local Sixty-Three; and Jason Wither.
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- Winner Sarah Cope with tastes of her cocktail, Manhattan After Dark, a blend of Litchfield Distillery Straight Rye Whiskey, Foro Amaro, Punt e Mes Vermouth and Jerry Thomas Bitters.
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- Bartenders Sarah Cope and Chris Kelly.
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- Competitors Tess Gagnon; Chris Snyder; Chris Kelly; Sarah Cope; Kristen Kaufman; and Chris Montana-Parra, Mix Prime.
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- Doug Maloney, Brand Ambassador, Litchfield Distillery and Kate Berenberg, Slocum & Sons.
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- Competitor Chris Kelly pouring his cocktail, Darkness Falls, a blend of Litchfield Distillery Straight Rye Whiskey, Amaro Braulio, molasses and peach bitters.
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- Bartender Chris Montana-Parra, Mix Prime pouring his cocktail, Rye-der of the Storm: Litchfield Distillery Straight Rye Whiskey, Carpano Antica, Cynar and chamomile smoke.
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- Chris Snyder serving a cocktail by Kelli Rain; Tess Gagnon serving a cocktail by Jason Lane; Winner Sarah Cope; Chris Kelly; Kristen Kaufman; and Chris Montana-Parra.
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- Bartender Kristen Kaufman serving her cocktail, Sweater Weathah.
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- Bartender Chris Snyder serving a cocktail by Kelli Rain, which featured Litchfield Distillery Straight Rye Whiskey, Montenegro, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao, yuzu extract and homemade pomegranate chai simple syrup.
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- Kristen Kaufman’s cocktail, Sweater Weathah: Litchfield Distillery Straight Rye Whiskey, apple cider, orange bitters and homemade gingerbread simple syrup.
Photos by David Peck.
