Downtown New Haven venues participated in a weeklong showcase of spirit brands and cocktails for the second annual New Haven Cocktail Week (NHCW). Founded and organized by New Haven bar owners and industry professionals, including Ordinary’s Tim Cabral and Ben Zemke, The Owl Shop’s Glen Greenberg, Elm City Social’s John Brennen and Opici Family Distributing’s Scott Randall, the goal to “showcase area bars and restaurants” through education and walk-arounds was met with sold-out seminars and a variety of spirits-centric events for the trade and public alike. The weeklong festivities kicked off with a Spirits Ball at the High George rooftop bar on August 18. With more than 25 bars offering specialty cocktail menus and more than 30 spirits brands highlighted, visiting patrons were given the chance to learn about spirits brands, try new tastes and participate in a “passport program” culminating in a Friday celebration in Temple Plaza. All proceeds from the 12 seminars were donated to All Our Kin, a New Haven-based organization that trains, supports and sustains community childcare providers.
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- The second annual New Haven Cocktail Week took place August 18-24, 2019.
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- Guests sampled a variety of spirits at the week’s opening event, the Spirits Ball, hosted at High George.
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- Next Door hosted a tasting of Meletti Limoncello, Dry Anisette, 1870 Bitter Aperitivo, Sambuca, Amaro, Fernet, Cioccolato and Anisette on August 19.
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- Scott Randall, Vice President of Sales, Opici Family Distributing of CT; Renee Reignier, Regional Sales Manager, Opici Family Distributing of CT; Joe Landolfi, Brand Manager, Market Street Spirits; Tim Cabral, Owner, Ordinary and Part Owner, New Haven Cocktail Week; and Ben Zemke, Ordinary and Part Owner, New Haven Cocktail Week.
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- Beam Suntory Master Scotch Ambassador Simon Brooking led guests through a historical exploration and tasting of Laphroaig Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky in Select, Aged Ten Years, Quarter Cask, Triple Wood and Cairdeas expressions at The Owl Shop on August 19.
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- Simon Brooking, Beam Suntory Master Scotch Ambassador; Glen Greenberg, Owner, The Owl Shop and Part Owner, New Haven Cocktail Week; and Harrison Love, CT Market Manager, Beam Suntory.
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- Brand Ambassador Lacy Hawkins telling the story of Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin on August 19 at Elm City Social.
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- Guests tasted Angostura Caribbean Rum in White Oak, Aged Five Years, Aged Seven Years and 1919 Deluxe Blend; and Amaro di Angostura Liqueur at Mecha Noodle Bar on August 20.
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- Jeannine Berthelot, Office Manager, Opici Family Distributing of CT; Kyle Zimmerman, Startender; Renee Reignier; Regional Sales Manager, Opici Family Distributing of CT; Adam Kaufman, District Manager – Spirits, Terlato Wine Group; and Tim Cabral, Owner, Ordinary and Part Owner, New Haven Cocktail Week.
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- Brockmans Gin was highlighted at a seminar at Sherkaan Indian Street Food on August 20.
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- Tim Cabral, Owner, Ordinary and Part Owner, New Haven Cocktail Week and Lauren O’Reilly, CT/RI Market Manager, Brockmans Gin.
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- Damian Cashman of traveling bar The Rambling Inn visited Oak Haven Table & Bar for an outdoor seminar on Clonakilty Irish Whiskey on August 20.
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- Al Greenwood, Owner, Oak Haven Table & Bar; Damian Cashman, Founder, The Rambling Inn and Business Development and Strategy, Clonakilty Irish Whiskey; and Craig Hotchkiss, Owner, Oak Haven Table & Bar.
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- Guests tasted Courvoisier VS, VSOP and XO, among others, during a seminar at ROÌA on August 21.
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- Guests enjoyed cocktails featuring Courvoisier at ROÌA.
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- Campari America Portfolio Brand Ambassador Anne Louise Marquis led guests through an exploration of the Negroni Family Tree at Olives and Oil on August 21.
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- Hendrick’s Gin Brand Ambassador Erik Andersson led guests on a tasting and education at BAR on August 21.
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- Josh Perez, Brand Ambassador, The Real McCoy Rum led an education and tasting of The Real McCoy Single Blended Rum line at Pacífico on August 22.
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- Guests tasted The Real McCoy Single Blended Rum in three, five- and 12-year expressions and enjoyed cocktails featuring The Real McCoy Rum at Pacífico.
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- Christen LaRochelle of Constellation Brands presented the history and production of tequila and the inspiration behind Mi Campo Tequila at Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill on August 22.
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- John Brennan, Chef, Elm City Social; Christen LaRochelle, Field Sales Manager, Constellation Brands; Glen Greenberg, Owner, The Owl Shop and Part Owner, New Haven Cocktail Week; and Kyle Reynolds, Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill.
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- Tim Cabral, Owner, Ordinary and Part Owner, New Haven Cocktail Week; Lauren DeVaux, On Premise Development & Mixology Manager, Brescome Barton; and Mike DePasqua, State Manager, Beam Suntory.
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- The New Haven Cocktail Week seminars wrapped up with a tasting of Suntory Japanese Spirits Haku Vodka, Roku Gin, Toki Whisky and Surprise Whisky at Ordinary on August 22.
Photos 2, 14, 15 and 17 by Christopher Beauchamp. Photo 16 courtesy of Gary Dritschler, Campari America.
