The Twin River Casino Event Center hosted the fifth annual New England Whiskey Festival on September 27 to 29. The event kicked off with a dinner sponsored by Bulleit Frontier Bourbon Whiskey hosted by Brand Ambassador Adam Geissler at Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse on September 27. Beverage suppliers and state wholesaler teams showcased whiskey products, and trends and innovations for guests, who sampled food offerings and enjoyed live entertainment by New York’s Popa Chubby band during the grand tasting event on September 29. Educational seminars, food and whiskey pairings, and a flair bartending demonstration for charity were among the many highlights, with masters of ceremonies, award-winning local bartender and comedian, Vito Lantz, and Mike Reppucci, Owner and Founder of Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co. addressing the crowd.
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- The New England Whiskey Festival signature cocktail created by Ray Guerin, made with Four Roses Bourbon Yellow Label, fresh grapefruit, lemon juice, honey and Angostura Bitters.
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- Master of Ceremony Vito Lantz; Naomi Adler, Distiller, Litchfield Distillery; Adam Geissler, National Northeast Ambassador, Bulleit Bourbon; and Frank Martucci, Director of Beverage & Nightlife, Twin River Management Group.
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- Mike Dooley, Pernod Ricard Portfolio Manager, Rhode Island Distributing Co. showcasing Jameson Caskmates.
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- Brand Ambassadors Amber Niaura and Matt Porreca pouring Bulleit Bourbon.
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- Brand Ambassadors at the Woodford Reserve Responsibility Booth: Emily Grant, Meaghan Cormier and Kaitlyn O’Donnell.
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- All of MS Walker: Jaimie Matos, Sales Representative; Mike Lester, On-Premise Accounts & Brand Manager; and Philip Correia, Sales Representative.
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- Brand Ambassadors Cassandra McNamara and Corinne McNamara and Dave Tretola, Owner, Boston Promotions pouring for Bacardi USA.
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- Trevor McCombe, Proximo Portfolio Manager, Rhode Island Distributing Co.
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- Brand Ambassadors Nicole Hutton and Rob Canfield featuring Hudson Bay Whiskey by Tuthilltown Spirits.
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- Ray Guerin, Bartender and Brand Ambassador, Four Roses Bourbon and Alexis Beratis, President, Inspired Beverage Inc.
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- Kelly Fernald, Owner, CK Promotions for Sazerac with Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey.
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- Peter Bottachiari, Jeff Kessler, Chelsea Capwell and Liz Parsons at the Crown Royal “Bag Stuffing Station,” where care packages were created to send to military members overseas.
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- Danny Walsh, Vice President of Sales & Marketing and Jim Black, Portfolio Manager in Rhode Island, both of Flaming Leprechaun Spirits.
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- Kenny Ng, Northeast Regional Manager, Michter’s.
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- Pete Vigeant, Sales Representative, Horizon Beverage Company pouring High West Whiskey.
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- Hai Le, Winner of Buffalo Wing Eating Contest and Christopher Conroe, Regional Director, Sagamore Spirit.
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- Morgan Moniz, Brand Ambassador; Gary Dritschler, State Manager CT & RI, Campari America; and Nicole Mercier, Brand Ambassador pouring Wild Turkey, Russell’s Reserve and Longbranch whiskies.
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- Brittani Fleury showcasing Town Branch.
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- Jacqueline Connetti, Senior Innovation & Market Manager RI, Edrington with Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
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- Anthony Guaetta, Bartender, Twin River Casino and Adam “Opie” Oppenheimer, Bartender, Twin River Casino during the Flair Bartending Demonstration, “It’s A Whiskey Miracle,” at the New England Whiskey Festival.
Photos by Laura Widness.
