Whiskey Legend
Meet & Greet with Master Distiller Eddie Russell
The burgeoning whiskey lover in me was supremely pleased to meet a legend in the Spirit’s world. Eddie Russell’s family distillery in Kentucky has been making Wild Turkey for generations. We had the honor of tasting their entire spirits line including their signature Wild Turkey 101 and a special 16 year old whiskey respectfully dubbed “Rare Breed”. Eddie Russell charmed us with stories of training with other whiskey giants like Jim Beam and Makers Mark. Mr. Russell also educated us on the unique Wild Turkey distillation process. They only use gmo free grain and their own propriety yeast when preparing their prized spirit.
Mr. Russell thanked the mixology community for their continued interest in the industry. He admits that we are the drivers of the spirits industry introducing new generations to the wonders of Scotch whisky. We thanked him with a big fat kiss! For more information about Wild Turkey Bourbon, visit www.wildturkeybourbon.com
Bandit Behavior
After hours…
Jonathan Calo treated us to a little custom tasting session after his cocktail tasting social. We sampled a delicious rare rums and mezcal. We started with Vida Mezcal. Mezcal is a spirit made from the agave plant just like tequila. The difference between mezcal and tequila comes down to location. In order to be called tequila the agave plant must be grown and harvested in one of 5 regions of Mexico: Jalisco, Michoacan, Guanajuato, Nayarit and Tamaulipas. This difference gives the two spirits uniquely distinct flavors. Vida Mezcal was spicy, earthy and robust without a bitter aftertaste. Much better than the other mescals we have tried.
To our delight, Jonathan offered us some rum straight from the Canary Island. Artemi and Doramas honey rums are surprisingly sweet and round with a beautifully light aftertaste. I just realized that we don’t drink enough rum. I also realized that we need to visit the Canary Islands, ASAP.
Chase After A Cure Charity Golf Tournament
Adam White has done phenomenal things with his non-profit organization, Chase After A Cure. Their mission statement, to bring awareness and funding for children diagnosed with cancer. The golf tournament at Patriots Point did both. Before the games commenced, Adam took a moment to remind everyone of the cause and to continue to support finding a cure. Aside from taking a swing at the $10,000 hole-in-one prize, golfers could also bid on a wide assortment of auction items donated by Charleston area businesses. Several holes throughout the course were sponsored by and offered an additional incentive to participants. While we are novices to the game of golf and forgot our clubs, we fully enjoyed the event as spectators taking in the beautiful scenery and cheering on the participants. Lunch was hosted by HomeTeam BBQ with drinks provided by Beverage Co. featuring a specialty cocktail using Charleston Mix’s Bloody Mary Mix; delicious.
Chase After A Cure host an annual Gala in January. Please contact Adam White at adam@chaseafteracure.com for more information about the organization and sponsorship opportunities. Visit www.chaseafteracure.com
Peligroso Tequila Launch Party
Blu Restaurant on Folly beach was full of tequila enthusiast as Peligroso introduced its delicious tequila to the Charleston market. In true VIP fashion, the event included food, activities and a live band. We were treated to a tasting of the entire Peligroso product line of Blanco, Reposado, Anejo and Cinnamon flavored tequila. The crafty bartenders at Blu created four cocktails to showcase the versatility of the tequila while incorporating a little Charleston flair. We didn’t leave the event empty handed. Guest received swag bags full of Peligroso products including a water bottle and keychain. There was even a printing station were guest could create custom Peligroso t-shirts and tanks tops. For more about Peligroso Tequila, visit www.peligrosotequila.com
More experimenting for the Fabrizia Cocktail Contest Larceny Bourbon, Kahlua, honey, lime juice, peach juice, coconut water and Fabrizia Blood Orange Liqueur
Jonathan Calo Signature cocktail
Despite the rain, we had a great time at the cocktail contest last night at Burwell’s Stone Fire Grille. Mixologist Jonathan Calo created a wonderful cocktail for the Signature Cocktail Contest for the Red Party. Stop by Burwell’s any time this week to taste his cocktail called La Doux Picante, then vote for Jonathan at www.redpartycharleston.com One lucky voter will win a ticket to the Red Party on October 24th. Support the American College of the Building Arts. Sponsored by Republic National Distribution Company. Hosted by the Cocktail Bandits.
FLIGHT NIGHTS
FLIGHT NIGHT!!! For all those who don’t know…. This is called a flight. A flight consist of three .75 oz glasses of speciality tequila for sampling. This is a Herradura flight that has the blanco, reposado, and añejo tequilas In the Herradura’s line. Blanco, or white, means there was no aging to the tequila. Reposado, or rested, means the tequila rests in oak barrels for 2-11 months, giving the tequila that light brown color. Anejo, meaning aged, means that the tequila had been aged in old bourbon or whiskey oak barrels for 1-3 years giving the tequila a dark brown color and a smoothness that only comes with the aging process. There is a new age group, extra añejo and these tequilas can be aged for 5-11 years… sometimes LONGER!! The most popular in Mexico is the reposado tequila, and blanco is the most popular in the US… Just thought I’d drop some tequila knowledge on this Tuesday!!#cocktailbandit #tequilatuesday #tequilagirls #tequilatequila#tequilaspecialist #flights #flightnight #mex1 #herradura #charleston
Signature Cocktail Competition
The Cocktail Bandits have partnered with the American College of the Building Arts and Republic National Distributing Company to organize and host our very first Signature Cocktail Competition!
“The College of the Building Arts was licensed in July 2004 by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education to award the degrees of Associate of Applied Sciences in Building Arts and Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Building Arts. The college offers a four-year liberal arts curriculum in six craft specializations within three areas: forged architectural iron, the trowel trades (masonry, plaster, and architectural stone) and the wood trades (carpentry and timber framing).
The American College of the Building Arts educates and trains artisans in the traditional building arts to foster exceptional craftsmanship and encourage the preservation ,enrichment, and understanding of the world’s architectural heritage through a liberal arts education.” – ACBA website
The ACBA has a yearly themed fundraiser called the Red Party. Its always in October, right before Halloween and about 900 people show up for the festivities. Last year the theme was “Great Gatsby” and this year its a French Rennoassance masquerade theme. The proceeds go to improving the school and for scholarships.
This year, ACBA and the Red Party are doing things a little differently than they did last year, they’re having a Pre party called the Red-y to wear party and thats where we will have the finale to our competition.
Charleston’s finest mixologists create a cocktail fit for royals to be served at this year’s Red party. During the months of August, September, and October bartenders have created a dazzling array Of cocktails featuring Larcerny Bourbon, Lunazul Tequila, and PAMA Pamagranate liqueur at weekly pop up tastings. We are excited about the finale on October 14, 2014 at Victor Social Club and can wait to show everyone who won the $500 cash prize and exclusive feature at the Red Party!!
*** Cocktail Competition hosted by the Cocktail Bandits. Sponsored by Republic National Distributing Company***
Fabrizia Cocktail Competition launch party
Fabrizia has challenged Charleston area mixologist to create an original cocktail using their signature product Limoncello and Blood Orange liqueur. The competition takes place in November when the judges visit Charleston to sample the creative cocktails. Fabrizia has organized a pretty swaggy grand prize; a three day, two night trip for two to Boston (all expenses paid), personal tour of the Fabrizia Spirit’s facility, dinner accommodations and admission to the Boston Wine Expo.
The featured bartender from Boston created three custom cocktails for the event. Each displayed the wide use of both the Limoncello and the Blood Orange liqueurs.
Not to be outdone, Radeberger and Schofferhofer craft imported beer was also hosting an event at Bay Street Biergarten. The German beer company was debuting its beverage for the first time in South Carolina during the Charleston Beer Week festivities. The Schofferhofer beer uses ruby red grapefruit to create its unique flavor profile while the Radeberger has a clean and traditional pilsner taste. With so many mixologist in attendance, it was only a matter of time before someone created a drink using both the Fabrizia and the Schofferhofer. 22 of us line up at the bar to chug the just created bomb (1 oz of Fabrizia Limoncello dropped into 4 oz of Schofferhofer). What a perfect way to end a night of making new friends and being introduced to a new mixer; let the creative juices flow. Stay tuned for all the delicious cocktails we create using Fabrizia Liqueurs and Radeberger & Schofferhofer beer.
Check out our video recap below!
