Slocum & Sons, in collaboration with Hotaling & Co., hosted the fourth annual Halloween-themed iron bartender competition at The Charles in Wethersfield on Oct. 27. Twelve local bartenders competed in teams of two, wearing festive attire all while creating craft cocktails featuring Denizen Rum, Nikka Whisky and Luxardo for guests and a panel of judges: Laura Kanzler, Hotaling & Co., and John Tsipouras, Sales Representative, Slocum & Sons. The winning teams were first place: Charlie and Kylie, SoLa Karaoke Suites; second place: Aaron Stepka, Drink Mechanics, and Kendra Kanaple, Gelston House; and third place: Renee Strother and Nick Greenhouse, Hartford Flavor Cocktail Parlour.
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- Slocum & Sons, in collaboration with Hotaling & Co., hosted the fourth annual Halloween-themed iron bartender competition at The Charles in Wethersfield on Oct. 27.
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- All of Slocum & Sons except where indicated: Alex Meier-Tomkins, Brand Manager; Noah King-Smith, Key Account Manager; Laura Kanzler, Regional Sales Manager, Hotaling & Co.; and John Tsipouras, Sales Representative.
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- The evening’s competitors and guests.
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- Competitors vied for the championship belt.
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- Competitors choosing ingredients for the iron bartender competition.
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- First-place winning team Charlie and Kylie, SoLa Karaoke Suites.
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- The Scrolls Daiquiri by the SoLa Karaoke Suites team: Denizen Merchant’s Rum, Luxardo Grenadine Syrup, lime and guava with a Tajin rim garnished with a lime wheel.
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- Second-place winning team Aaron Stepka, Drink Mechanics and Kendra Kanaple, Gelston House.
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- The Beach Potion #9 by the Drink Mechanics and Gelston House team: Nikka Days Whisky, prickly pear juice, Ancho Reyes, simple syrup and lime juice with a pinch of porcini salt and pink peppercorn and a seaweed garnish.
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- Third-place winning team Nick Greenhouse and Renee Strother, Hartford Flavor Cocktail Parlour.
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- The Island Boogie by the Hartford Flavor Cocktail Parlour team: Denizen Merchant’s Rum, Luxardo Aperitivo, lemon juice, pineapple juice and Vedrenne Passion Fruit Liqueur with an edible flower garnish.
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- Emcee Conor Geary with Jack Forbes and Heather Shonta, Sparrow Pizza Bar.
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- Cocktail by Jack Forbes and Heather Shonta, Sparrow Pizza Bar.
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- Molly Scalenghe and Sabine Carey, Gastropark.
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- Cocktail by Molly Scalenghe and Sabine Carey, Gastropark.
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- Rachel Landry and Nicole Ballestas, J Bar.
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- Cocktail by Rachel Landry and Nicole Ballestas, J Bar.
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- Competitors’ cocktails.
