Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI), hosted a bartending competition featuring Matchbook Distilling Co. spirits at Bar Max in Hartford on June 2. Six local bartenders created their best cocktails for judges using Matchbook Distilling Co.’s Elsewhere Blood Orange Aperitivo Liqueur, Flamingo Riviera Mango Chili Liqueur and Day Trip Strawberry Amaro. The winners were first place: Zach Lyons, Fruitful Mixology; second-place tie: Dustin Amore, Fire by Forge; Ozzy Casco, Il Pellicano; and Shannon Deschenes, Bar Max; and third place: Aaron Steak. Founded by Leslie Merinoff Kwasnieski, a direct descendant of Hiram Walker, with her husband, Brian, Matchbook Distilling Co. crafts its unique, small-batch spirits in Greenport, New York.
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- Matchbook Distilling Co.’s Elsewhere Blood Orange Aperitivo Liqueur, Flamingo Riviera Mango Chili Liqueur and Day Trip Strawberry Amaro.
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- Paul Monahan, COO, Matchbook Distilling Co.; Brian Kwasnieski, Owner, Matchbook Distilling Co.; Moriah Aronson, Bar Manager, Bar Max; and Ruvin Bogati, Sales Representative, Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI).
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- First-place winner Zach Lyons, Fruitful Mixology.
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- Lyons’ cocktail.
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- Second-place tie winner Dustin Amore, Fire by Forge.
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- Amore’s cocktail.
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- Second-place tie winner Shannon Deschenes, Bar Max.
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- Deschenes’ cocktail.
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- Second-place tie winner Ozzy Casco, Il Pellicano.
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- Casco’s cocktail.
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- Third-place winner Aaron Steak.
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- A pour of Steak’s cocktail.
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- Competitor Suzie Johnson.
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- Johnson’s cocktail.
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- Second-place tie winner Ozzy Casco, Il Pellicano; second-place tie winner Dustin Amore, Fire by Forge; Moriah Aronson, Bar Manager, Bar Max; second-place tie winner Shannon Deschenes, Bar Max; Paul Monahan, COO, Matchbook Distilling Co.; Suzie Johnson; Brian Kwasnieski, Owner, Matchbook Distilling Co.; first-place winner Zach Lyons, Fruitful Mixology; third-place winner Aaron Steak; Ruvin Bogati, Sales Representative, CDI; and Szabolcs Geiger, Bar Manager, Max Hospitality.
Photos by Michael Leung.
