As an extension of the judging program, ADI brought some of the best craft spirits to Tales of the Cocktail.
ADI, along with The Liquid Projects, sponsored two craft-spirits tastings at Tales of the Cocktail, a bartending conference that has become the largest spirits marketing event in the country. Twenty-nine craft distilleries poured their spirits in front of bartenders and influential industry people. The tastings publicized the results of The ADI Judging of Craft Spirits by affording distillers the opportunity to pour and showcase their craft spirits to a broad audience of distributors, bartenders and tastemakers, and by distributing 1,000 copies of the summer issue of Distiller magazine containing the judging results.
Arne Hillesland presented his 209 Gins at The Cream of the Craft Crop. “Tales of the Cocktail presents a chance to not only showcase your products but also is a good educational experience,” Hillesland said. “The entire event is geared toward bartenders and bar managers. For the craft distiller, bar staff are very much our frontline ambassadors.”
Cream of the Craft Crop was held on Thursday, July 21, in the Riverview Room of the Hotel Monteleone and featured Corsair Artisan Distillery, Ironroot Republic, New Holland Artisan Spirits, Yahara Bay Distillery, Montanya Distillers, Craft Distillers, Great Lakes Distillery, Woody Creek Distillers, Louisiana Spirits, Coppersea Distilling, Balcones Distillery, Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery, Distillery No. 209, Wicked Dolphin Rum and Two James Spirits.
A Taste of Gold was held on Saturday afternoon, July 23, at the Royal Ballroom in the Hotel Monteleone and featured Anchorage Distillery, Thumb Butte Distillery, Spirit of Texas Distillery, Spirits of Maine Distillery, Oppidan Spirits, Oregon Spirit Distillers, Rebecca Creek Distillery, Myer Farm Distillers, Lost Spirits Distillery, Kimo Sabe Mezcal, Preiss Imports, Graton Distilling Company, Backwards Distilling Company and Montanya Distillers.
Montanya Distillers co-founder, co-owner, President and CEO Karen Hoskin said, “I love the heat and the vibe of the French Quarter in July. Tales is an incredibly efficient way to see everyone I care about in the spirits and bar world all in one sultry week.”
