New York Finalist Chosen for Heaven Hill Brands, Liquor.com 2017 “Bartender of the Year”

Eight Contestants to Compete in Puerto Rico Finals

Heaven Hill Brands and Liquor.com today announced the finalist of the New York regional semifinal competing for the 2017 Bartender of the Year competition. Nathan O’Neill of the NoMad Hotel in New York City won first place, $1,000, and a trip to the finals in Puerto Rico. Michael Anderson of Meat & Potatoes in Pittsburgh won second place and $500.

Eight semifinalists competed regionally Monday, April 10 at The Shanty in New York. Semifinal bartenders competed in two rounds, first mixing one of their original cocktail entries and then creating three cocktails of the dealers’ choice, using Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, or Rittenhouse Rye Whisky at least once throughout the round.

National Brand Educator for Heaven Hill Brands Lynn House, Owner/Bartender of Pouring Ribbons Joaquín Simó, and Director of Mixology & Spirits Education for Southern Wine & Spirits of New York Allen Katz judged the semifinalists’ cocktails and chose one finalist based on highest scores. Cocktails were scored on name, appearance and presentation, inspiration, balance of flavors, aroma and character, while contestants were also scored on creativity, presentation style and product knowledge.

Over 844 original cocktail recipes were submitted online nationwide beginning August 1, 2016. Preliminary entries required two original cocktail recipes, one classic and one innovative, along with a short description of what hospitality means to the contestant. The top contestant from each regional semifinal will vie for the title of Bartender of the Year and $15,000 at the St. Regis Bahia Resort in Puerto Rico in June 2017. Finalists will be challenged on their full range of skills as hospitality professionals. Judges will be looking for the ultimate bartender who displays the total breadth and aptitude all bartenders aspire to embody.

Grounded in the original Bartender of the Year Competition hosted by Domaine de Canton starting in 2009, Heaven Hill Brands resurrected the competition due to strong demand from bartenders worldwide. Abigail Gullo of Compere Lapin in New Orleans set the bar as the champion of the inaugural Bartender of the Year competition in 2016. Visit the official competition website at www.bartenderoftheyear.liquor.com for complete competition details and names of this year’s semifinalists.

The Broadway


Crafted By Nathan O’Neill

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 ounce(s) Rittenhouse Rye
  • 0.75 ounce(s) Cocchi Di Torino Vermouth
  • 0.5 ounce(s) Cynar
  • 0.25 ounce(s) Bonal
  • 1 dash(es) Orange Bitters
  • 1 dash(es) Angostura Bitters
  • Tsp Maraschino

Presentation/House-made ingredients/Preparation:

Add all ingredients into a mixing glass and stir over cubed ice, strain into a rocks glass when adequate dilution has been met over block ice and garnish with 3x maraschino cherries on a skewer.

Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Larceny, Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Deep Eddy Vodka; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; Hpnotiq Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila; Cinerator Hot Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky.

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CONTACT:


Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
(502) 413-0217
lcherry@heavenhill.com

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