Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), in collaboration with Two Roads Brewing Company, hosted a cocktail competition featuring Redemption Bourbon at Two Roads Food Hall + Bar in Stratford on Sept. 5. Competitors were challenged to make their best cocktails using Redemption Bourbon as a base spirit for a panel of judges: Ben Raré, Director of Hospitality, Two Roads Brewing Company; Lauren Rotolo, Sales Representative, CDI; Andrew Dominick, Managing Editor, CTbites; and Peter Apotrias, Field Sales Manager, Diamond Division, CDI. The Public Winner was Emily Messina, Prime One Eleven; Judges’ Choice: Jimmy Ortiz, Match; second place: Rebecca Romano, Founders House; and third place: Annie Sutila, Two Roads Food Hall + Bar. Founded by Connecticut resident Dave Schmier, Redemption Whiskey uses a classic pre-Prohibition rye mash bill in its full range of premium award-winning whiskeys. Produced by Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, the Redemption Whiskey line is distributed in the state by CDI and Brescome Barton.
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- Connecticut Distributors, Inc., in collaboration with Two Roads Brewing Company, hosted a cocktail competition featuring Redemption Bourbon at Two Roads Food Hall + Bar in Stratford on Sept. 5.
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- Competitors used Redemption Bourbon as their base spirit.
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- Guests enjoyed assorted Two Roads brews on tap along with event cocktails.
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- Public Winner Emily Messina, Bartender, Prime One Eleven in Trumbull.
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- Messina’s cocktail.
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- Judges’ Choice Winner Jimmy Ortiz, Bartender, Match in Norwalk.
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- Ortiz’s cocktail.
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- Second-place winner Rebecca Romano, Bartender, Founders House in Milford.
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- Romano’s cocktail.
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- Third-place winner Annie Sutila, Bartender, Two Roads Food Hall + Bar.
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- Sutila’s cocktail.
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- A Bourbon Smash cocktail featuring Redemption Bourbon, made by Ben Raré, Director of Hospitality, Two Roads Brewing Company.
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- A Coffee Negroni featuring Two Roads Distilling Gin, Select Aperitivo and Shearwater Espressway roasted coffee infused sweet vermouth, available on the menu at Two Roads Food Hall + Bar.
Photos by Andrew Dominick.
