Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), hosted a cocktail competition featuring Hudson Whiskey at The Local Sixty-Three in Watertown on Oct. 17. Six local bartenders took part in the evening competition to make their best cocktails featuring Hudson Whiskey NY Short Stack Straight Rye Whiskey for a panel of judges. The winners were Samantha Dziedzic, Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza; Jackie Tarbunas, Pour Decisions; and Janet Bartolini. Bottled at 92 proof, Hudson Whiskey NY Short Stack Straight Rye Whiskey is a blend of 95% New York rye and 5% malted barley. The rye is aged in American oak barrels for a minimum of three years before being finished in Vermont maple syrup barrels, resulting in a whiskey with a bold rye spice balanced by sweet maple and vanilla.
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- Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), hosted a cocktail competition featuring Hudson Whiskey NY Short Stack Straight Rye Whiskey at The Local Sixty-Three in Watertown on Oct. 17.
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- Competitors Samantha Dziedzic, Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza; Lorraine Faleri, Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza; Chris Kelly, Vinted; Lauren Hansen, Owner and Bar Manager, The Local Sixty-Three; Janet Bartolini; Jackie Tarbunas, Pour Decisions; and Chris Montana-Parra, Mix Prime.
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- Winner Samantha Dziedzic, Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza.
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- A pour of Dziedzic’s winning cocktail, A Figgin’ Good Thyme.
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- Dziedzic’s cocktail.
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- Second-place winner Jackie Tarbunas, Pour Decisions.
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- Tarbunas’ cocktail.
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- Competitor Lorraine Faleri, Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza.
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- Faleri’s cocktail.
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- Competitor Chris Kelly, Vinted.
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- Kelly’s cocktail.
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- Competitor Chris Montana-Parra, Mix Prime.
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- Spectators watch Chris Montana-Parra, Mix Prime.
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- Jackie Tarbunas, Pour Decisions and Lauren Hansen, Owner and Bar Manager, The Local Sixty-Three.
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- Judges Lauren Hansen, Owner and Bar Manager, The Local Sixty-Three; Jesse Bellamare, Bartender, The Local Sixty-Three; and Kelli Rain, Bar Manager, Fino.
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- Winner Samantha Dziedzic, Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza and Lorraine Faleri.
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- Second Place’s Jackie Tarbunas, Pour Decisions; First-Place Winner Samantha Dziedzic, Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza; and Third-Place’s Janet Bartolini.
Photos by Lisa Nichols, Bread & Beast Food Photographer.
