This is default featured slide 1 title
Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.
This is default featured slide 2 title
Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.
This is default featured slide 3 title
Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.
This is default featured slide 4 title
Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.
This is default featured slide 5 title
Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.
04 November 2016
02 November 2016
Johnny Walker & Wilmer Valderrama Visit The US-Mexico Border To Take a Stand For Cultural Progress & Diversity
As hundreds of admiring fans bid Wilmer Valderrama an enthusiastic farewell as he headed to the airport in Brownsville, Texas, it was clear this is a passionate community filled with people who are proud of their home, heritage and stories. Johnnie Walker joined forces with Valderrama, celebrated actor, director and activist, to travel to the U.S.-Mexico border to showcase the stories of Americans raised in close proximity to the border and the impact of cross-cultural influences on their personal progress.
This journey to the U.S.-Mexico border was part of Johnnie Walker’s new campaign, Keep Walking America, which celebrates the cultural progress and diversity that is shaping the new face of America today. While on the border, Valderrama got up close and personal with the people and places that define this iconic border town. He walked the fence-line of the border along the Rio Grande, witnessed the daily ebb and flow of people crossing the International Bridge, and spoke with several hometown heroes to learn about their dreams, struggles and stories of personal progress.
Bianca MarroquÃn, a Brownsville native and the first Mexican-American actress to have a starring role on Broadway, met with Valderrama and shared, “I feel very fortunate to have grown up with both Mexican values and American traditions – it allows me to offer the world so much more. I was raised by strong Latina women who pushed me to never give up and now I have a responsibility to lead by example. I hope I can help inspire a new generation to follow their dreams.”
Brothers Rick and Mark Del Castillo, founders of the band Del Castillo and also Brownsville natives, who have worked with Valderrama on previous projects, had the opportunity to catch up with Valderrama over a glass of Johnnie Walker. They exchanged familiar stories of how their heritage and cultural upbringing defined their music noting, “While we may be from a small border town, our music has no borders and it resonates with people wherever we go – whether we’re in South Dakota or South America. We are proud to highlight our heritage through our music, as the modern world is all about sharing and acceptance, which helps us all grow and progress for the better.”
As Valderrama concluded his day he stated, “Traveling to Brownsville, Texas was an inspiring and humbling experience. I was able to meet some amazing people who have such a rich and wonderful heritage and it was incredible to hear their stories of progress and perseverance first-hand. My journey to the border for the Keep Walking America campaign has moved me deeply, since it not only represents my own immigrant story, but it’s also a powerful message to our whole nation. I believe your heritage and culture are your biggest assets. If we collectively embrace the cultural diversity that helps define our country, it’s going to help us progress towards a more positive future together.”
Adrián González, another border town native and aspiring actor now living in Los Angeles, showed Valderrama the beautiful Rio Grande – the physical border between the United States and Mexico. Gonzalez went to school in Brownsville but lived in Matamoros, Mexico. He detailed what it was like growing up in both cultures noting, “Matamoros and Brownsville are sister cities – one cannot exist without the other and that’s exactly how I feel about my heritage and culture. As you look across the river, both places look very similar. I believe that it shouldn’t be about pointing out differences, but rather coming together to celebrate our similarities. As Americans, we all come from diverse backgrounds and I believe we should embrace that.”
For more than 200 years Johnnie Walker has encouraged people to make progress in their lives by inspiring them with stories of the human spirit. Founded in 1820 by John Walker, the brand was built upon a commitment to excellence, which was fueled by John’s entrepreneurial spirit and fearless determination to perfect his craft. Over the years, each generation of the Walker family worked through personal challenges, as well as the struggles of the time period, but still found a way to innovate and progress. As a result, Johnnie Walker has always stood for personal progress, and this initiative in Brownville, Texas is another moment in Johnnie Walker’s celebration of progress in the U.S. and the world.
Stephanie Jacoby, Vice President of Johnnie Walker North America, commented, “It is so important that we take an active role honoring stories and supporting initiatives that contribute to culture in a positive way. Now more than ever, we want to actively live out our purpose within society rather than simply stating it. Our experience in Brownsville brings to life powerful messages of cultural progress and diversity that should be championed and celebrated.”
01 November 2016
Berkshire Mountain Distillers & Samuel Adams Collaborate On Two Lanterns American Whiskey
Today, Berkshire Mountain Distillers (BMD) announces the release of Two Lanterns American Whiskey, the highly anticipated whiskey that is the result of a groundbreaking four-year collaboration with Samuel Adams.
BMD crafted this one-of-a-kind premium whiskey by triple distilling Samuel Adams flagship Boston Lager at BMD's distillery in Great Barrington, MA, followed by years of barrel aging in vintage bourbon barrels. While BMD is well known for aging spirits in used craft beer barrels, Two Lanterns is the first whiskey distilled with Samuel Adams' Boston Lager. It took nearly 25,000 gallons of Boston Lager to produce the 1000 gallons of Two Lanterns available for purchase, so this whiskey is a truly unique and rare find.
"After anxiously waiting for more than four years, we are excited to finally share the fruits of our teamwork for craft whiskey and beer lovers to enjoy," said Berkshire Mountain Distillers founder Chris Weld. "Two Lanterns American Whiskey is truly a labor of love and we had a lot of fun working with Jim and the Sam Adams team."
The whiskey's name was inspired by the two lanterns lit at Old North Church in Boston in 1775 that signaled to the Sons of Liberty that the British were coming by sea to Lexington and Concord to capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock and hang them as traitors. The alert launched the American Revolution, much like the creators of Two Lanterns have revolutionized the craft beer and whiskey industries. Jim Koch brewed the first batch of Samuel Adams Boston Lager in his kitchen in 1984 using his grandfather's recipe, creating a full-flavored beer that propelled the craft beer movement. BMD's innovation in craft spirits began in 2007 and its work in craft beer barrel-aged whiskey - and now distilled beer - has built a bridge between two highly sought-after craft beverages: whiskey and beer.
"After barrel aging for over four years, we can't wait for drinkers to finally have the chance to enjoy Chris' Two Lanterns whiskey distilled with Boston Lager," said Jim Koch, Samuel Adams founder and brewer. "Chris is doing a lot of really cool things and it was fun and interesting for us to see how the ingredients and flavor in the beer influenced the final whiskey."
The distilled Samuel Adams Boston Lager has distinct notes of malt and piney hop flavors. The lager was aged for four years in vintage bourbon barrels, creating a smooth whiskey with sweet fruity esters and a very slight bitterness from the Noble hops. Once fully emptied, the American oak barrels used for aging the whiskey will make the trip back to the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery, where they will be used for a yet-to-be-named barrel-aged beer.
Throughout the months of November and December, Chris Weld and BMD will hold over 40 tasting events for Two Lanterns American Whiskey. For more information on the locations, visit berkshiremountaindistillers.com.
Availability: Beginning the week of October 31st, Two Lanterns American Whiskey (SRP: $120) will be available for purchase at select liquor stores, bars and restaurants in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey and Georgia.
31 October 2016
28 October 2016
27 October 2016
Fall Into Flavor with Tasty Harvest Cocktails from Leading Pennsylvania Mixologists
Cocktail menus across Pennsylvania have transformed from light, fruity concoctions to spicier, woodsier offerings embodying the spirit of the harvest season. For instance, mixologists are replacing lighter spirits, such as gin and vodka, with darker spirits, like whiskey and cognac.
“Bartenders across the U.S. are experimenting with new techniques, flavors and spirits to create cocktail menus that reflect the transitioning seasons,” said Kelley McDonough, Distilled Spirits Council director of public relations. “This fall, hot drinks with frothy and nutty flavors are peaking both the interests of consumers and mixologists.”
McDonough noted that Pennsylvania’s cocktail scene is indicative of this booming trend. Pennsylvania bartenders are experimenting with new offerings and customers are intrigued by the new and complex flavor profiles. Over the past five years, consumption of distilled spirits in Pennsylvania has increase by nine percent, according to the Distilled Spirits Council.
“One technique we've been working is re-using barrels to season spirits,” said Jack Falkenbach, Rex1516 Beverage Director. “For example, we aged house-made fernet in a barrel then re-filled it with gin; another with homemade sweet vermouth, then apple brandy. The aromatics of the first liquors season the barrels and lend just enough flavor to the next spirits to enter the barrels after a few weeks. Our vermouth-seasoned brandy makes a particularly good sidecar.”
Below are cocktail recipes from some of Pennsylvania’s top mixologists to enjoy this fall season:
Sidecar by Jack Falkenbach, Rex1516 in Philadelphia, PA
¾ parts oz vermouth-seasoned apple brandy
¾ parts rye whiskey
¾ parts dry curacao
¾ parts lemon juice
1-2 dashes your favorite bitters (recommend sassafras & smoked black tea)
Shake over ice, strain into chilled cocktail glass, garnish with orange peel
Bourbon Cider by The Summit in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
¾ parts bourbon
¾ parts applejack
Pour above ingredients into an Irish coffee mug, ladle 4.5oz cider mix, stir and enjoy!
America’s Native Spirit, Bourbon, Is Back and on Trend this Autumn Season
Today, this legendary “sippin whisky” is trending in watering holes across America and beyond. Sales of distilled spirits, especially top-tier Bourbon brands, are a robust $72 billion annually and outpace sales of all other liquors, according to Fortune magazine. Exports to countries such as Canada, Germany and the UK grew from $743 million in 2005 to $1.56 billion in 2015.
“America’s Native Spirit,” Bourbon, was born in the early 18th century in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and quickly became part of the American experience. Distillers, working legally and otherwise, developed their own unique brands of this corn-based whisky, usually named for the owner of the distillery. Many of these survive today, including such legendary labels as Jack Daniels and Jim Beam.
Bourbon cocktails appear in the hands of America’s favorite film stars and fictional characters. Southern Belle Daisy Buchanan sipped Mint Juleps in The Great Gatsby. Despite Prohibition, Marilyn Monroe, as Sugar Kane, always found a favorite bottle of Bourbon in Some like It Hot. Old Fashioneds were among the preferred poisons of adman Don Draper. James Bond’s hangover cure in Live and Let Die was Eggs Benedict and a pint of Jack Daniels. Frank Sinatra was a devoted fan of Jack Daniels and reportedly was buried with a bottle of Old # 7.
America’s literary lions sang Bourbon’s praises. Said Mark Twain, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” Mystery writer Raymond Chandler proclaimed, “There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren’t as good as others.” William Faulkner needed pen, paper and a pint of Four Roses to inspire him.
Now that Bourbon is back and bigger than ever, craft distilleries, encouraged by more liberal liquor laws, are springing up around the country and partnering with bars and restaurants to produce new, signature cocktails. Bars and restaurants at Benchmark Resorts & Hotels® and The Gemstone Collection® properties are teaming up with local distilleries this autumn to offer some new twists on America’s favorite whiskey, while looking to local traditions and ingredients. For example, Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, West Virginia, has teamed with Smooth Ambler Spirits, an award-winning craft distillery producing “Patiently Crafted Appalachian Spirits.” And Willows Lodge in Woodinville, Washington, features “small batch whiskeys” from the neighboring Woodinville Whiskey Co. The Lodge also offers the exclusive and expensive Pappy Van Winkle brand. At The Chattanoogan Hotel in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Coopers Craft Kentucky Bourbon is a favorite. Other rare brands and blends served at Benchmark & Gemstone-brand properties include Bulleit Frontier Whiskey and Breckenridge Bourbon, while icons like Maker’s Mark and Jack Daniels remain perennial favorites.
With fall weather arriving, several bars used local maple syrup for a perfect autumnal cocktail. In honor of America’s Spirit and Spirits, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and The Gemstone Collection properties across the country offer the best of Bourbon.
The Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, WV
A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property
Marking the passing of golf great Arnold Palmer, Stonewall Resort’s bar staff created the “Ambling Arnold”.
Ambling Arnold
2 oz Iced Tea
1 ¾ oz Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bourbon
¾ oz Simple Syrup
¾ oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice SHAKE, STIR
Garnish with fresh sprig of mint and twist of citrus
Eaglewood Resort & Spa, Chicago, IL
A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property
Eaglewood Maple Manhattan
Classic Makers Mark Bourbon teams with locally produced Sugarbush Maple Syrup for this sophisticated cocktail.
1.5 oz Makers Mark Bourbon Whiskey
.5 oz Danielson’s Sugarbush Maple
A Splash of Dry Vermouth
Garnish with Cherries
Serve Over Ice
The Heldrich Hotel, New Brunswick, NJ
A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property
Makers Mark is also the choice of bartenders at The Heldrich Hotel, enhanced with autumn flavors of apples and maple syrup.
Bourbon Apple Cider
3 parts Makers Mark Bourbon
1 part Sour Apple Schnapps
3 parts Spiced Apple Cider
1 tsp Maple Syrup
Dash of Lemon juice
Dash of cinnamon
Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick
Chaminade Resort & Spa, Santa Cruz, CA
A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property
Mixologists at Chaminade Resort & Spa’s signature restaurant, Linwood’s Bar & Grill, utilize Bulleit Bourbon Whisky in the “Black Pearl’ as it combines Bulleit’s bold spicy characters with the savory sweetness of blackberry puree. Those combined flavors make this the perfect savory spiced fall cocktail.
The Black Pearl
1.5 oz Bulleit Bourbon
.5oz Blackberry Puree
½ lime juice
Top with ginger beer
Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Colorado Springs, CO
A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property
Cheyenne Mountain Resort brings a Rocky Mountain High to this special cocktail, made with Local Breckenridge Bourbon made in the world’s highest distillery with pure water from Rocky Mountain snow melt.
Zesty Breck & Blue
8 blueberries, muddled
2 ounces Breckenridge Bourbon
Splash of simple syrup
Splash of club soda
Squeeze juice from one orange wedge
Toss ingredients together twice in shaker
Serve over ice in a rocks glass
Garnish with an orange slice
The Chattanoogan Hotel, Chattanooga, TN
A Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property
Tennessee also claims a proud Bourbon heritage, honored in The Chattanoogan Hotel’s Maple Bourbon Smash, made with Cooper’s Craft Kentucky Bourbon.
Maple Bourbon Smash
1/2 oz maple syrup
1/4 oz lemon
Dash of orange bitters
Orange wheel
Muddle
Add 1 1/2 oz Cooper's Craft Kentucky Bourbon
Top with seltzer
Willows Lodge, Woodinville, WA
A Gemstone Collection property
Woodinville Fashion
2 ounce Woodinville Whiskey
¼ ounce Cherry Heering
¼ Combier Orange liquor
1 ounce Sweet & Sour
2 muddled orange slices
Shake well, strain over ice.
Costa d’Este Resort, Vero Beach, FL
A Gemstone Collection property
Tropical flavors of coconut and fruit make Bourbon Sangria a year-round favorite at Florida’s Costa D’Este, Gloria & Emilio Estefan’s luxury oceanside resort.
Bourbon Sangria
3 Orange Slices
¼ Freshly Sliced Peach
¼ cup Blueberries
0.5 oz. Coconut Simple Syrup
1.5 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
2-3 oz. Pinot Grigio
Splash of Sprite
Coconut Simple Syrup
1. In a small saucepan over medium/¬low heat, combine 1/2 cup of coconut water with 1 Tbsp. of coconut sugar. Heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens, stirring frequently.
2. Remove from heat and let cool. This will create more simple syrup than required for recipe.
Bourbon Sangria
1. Add 2 orange slices cut into quarters and the sliced peach to the bottom of an empty glass (save 3-4 slices of peach for garnish).
2. Add 0.5 oz. Coconut Simple Syrup to the same glass and muddle together.
3. Add Bulleit Bourbon.
4. Add Pinot Grigio.
5. Top with ice.
6. Shake and Strain.
7. Skewer 3 of the blueberries and the remaining orange slice together and place to the side.
8. Drop 3-4 slices of peach and remaining blueberries into the sangria.
9. Stir lightly.
10. Add a splash of sprite.
11. Add skewer to garnish with a straw.
12. Enjoy
19 October 2016
JustMalt Features Nightshade Partners Premium Craft Margaritas
So what if I told you that you can now enjoy a premium craft Margarita without all the hassle and without even plugging in your blender? Now I’ll bet I have your attention…so let me introduce you to Nightshade Partners Premium Craft Margaritas. 
Developed by Duke & Ginny Mahl, these “mixologist-quality” Margaritas are ready-to-go at home or on the go (think parties, vacation, entertaining…) These Margaritas use a proprietary blend of true Blue Agave and natural fruit juices and NO artificial sweeteners so they really are unique and delicious.
Nightshade Partners Premium Craft Margaritas are available in five introductory flavors like Classic Lime, Hucklarita, Ruby Redarita, Choclarita and Papayarita and they are even offering a “Margarita of the Month” club to help you try them 
Of course by now you’re wondering how they taste, so off we go. As always we decided to sample them in the way recommended by the producer and in this case that was to pour the Margarita straight over ice. Our sample was Classic Lime and it features limes, Blue Agave Silver premium Tequila, natural cane sugar and tripel sec orange liqueur. As you can imagine by the ingredients list, Classic Lime tastes a LOT like a classic Margarita. Right out of the bottle Classic Lime was a really nice Margarita with loads of lime & citrus flavors. To amp it up another level, we also tried Classic Lime in a salt-rimmed glass with crushed ice instead of cubes…and I’ll admit that while I’m no Margarita expert, this version really felt and tasted like a professionally made Margarita.
We also decided to create one of Nightshade Partners signature cocktails, and of course we tried their Copa Verde. I’ll admit it was a pretty complex cocktail, but everyone we shared it with really loved the blend.
Nightshade Partners Premium Craft Margaritas clock in at 15%-ABV so they will sneak up on you…in fact the only downside we found was that there was no mixing-delay between rounds of Margaritas, so be sure to share a bottle with friends and family. Nightshade Partners Premium Craft Margaritas are available now in 750ml bottles and the Classic Lime flavor hits 187-calorie per standard pour…and don’t forget, Nightshade Partners Premium Craft Margaritas Classic Lime is also gluten-free (and really delicious).
Be sure to try Nightshade Partners Premium Craft Margaritas in all of the new varieties, or better yet join the “Margarita of the Month” club and try them all.
18 October 2016
Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey Returns with Art, Beats and Lyrics National Tour Fusing Urban Art and Hip-Hop Under One Roof
Art, Beats and Lyrics brings together upcoming and seasoned veterans from both the visual arts and music worlds. The new tour returns to staple cities such as Charlotte, Atlanta and Birmingham, and brings this one of a kind experience to new cities, including New York and Chicago, for the first time. Guests in each city can expect to be engaged and inspired by the interactive, visual art installations, while being entertained by performances from top hip-hop acts and enjoying Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey cocktails.
"Art, Beats and Lyrics is an amazing experience that showcases creativity in urban art and hip-hop today," says Casey Nelson, Brand Director, Jack Daniel's Flavors. "Jack Daniel's is a brand that has always had a strong connection to arts and entertainment, and Art, Beats and Lyrics is an opportunity for us to celebrate emerging talent across the country."
Over the years, the tour has featured works from globally renowned artists, such as Miya Bailey and Frank Morrison, along with tour curator and co-producer, Dubelyoo. Recurring hip-hop headliners throughout the years have included legends such as, Scarface, Twista, Mystikal and more. Music performers are typically announced within a week of the event, to create an element of surprise for guests.
"Looking back, upcoming artists didn't always have as many outlets to showcase their craft, especially in the urban space," says Dubelyoo, Art, Beats and Lyrics curator and co-producer. "Art, Beats and Lyrics has grown to be much larger than we could have ever imagined, and we are proud to be able to provide this platform for upcoming artists."
Art, Beats and Lyrics kicked off its 2016-17 tour in Charlotte, and will travel on to Atlanta, New York, Chicago and Miami through December. Upcoming cities and dates will be announced in 2017.
For more information and event details, please visit www.JackHoneyABL.com.
Posts
