TALK DRINKS

Partida Tequila Awarded "Extraordinary/ Ultimate Recommendation" at Ultimate Spirits Challenge

Distinguished judges of the cocktail community have awarded Partida Tequila top scores at the first Ultimate Spirits Cocktail Challenge!

The competition, led by America's leading spirits expert F. Paul Pacult, took place in four stages over three days, throughout a rigorous judging process.

• Partida Reposado (aged 6 months) and Partida Elegante Extra Anejo (aged 36-40 months) were both awarded 94 points, "Extraordinary/Ultimate Recommendation."
• Partida Blanco (unaged) received 92 points and an "Excellent/Strong Recommendation."
• Partida Anejo (aged 18 months) received 86 points, "Very Good/Recommended."

Partida received the top aggregate score in the Tequila category among 64 brands. Congrats Partida!!

 

Judging panel included: F. Paul Pacult, Sean Ludford, Dale DeGroff, Andy Seymour, Jacques Bezuidenhout, Steve Olson, Doug Frost, James Conley, Ethan Kelley, Audrey Saunders, David Wondrich and Gary Regan.

 

 

 

Never Enough Whiskey

St. Patty's Day was just two days ago. Incase some of you haven't had your fill of whiskey yet, you should try sipping on some Michael Collins Irish Whiskey to start off this weekend (while watching some NCAA Basketball games of course!)

The Michael Collins distillery, founded by Michael Collins - leader of the 1st Irish national army, is the last independently owned distillery in Ireland. Whether enjoying the citrus and honey flavors of the Blend or savouring the smoky flavor of the Single Malt, you are sure to be pleased by this double-distilled Irish spirit!

Try this Irish Smash cocktail made at LEI, the South Street Seaport's newest bar.

2 parts Michael Collins Blend

3/4 part simple syrup 

3 lemon wheels

6-8 mint leaves

Muddle 3 mint leaves, simple syrup and two of the lemon wheels in a cocktail shaker. Add Michael Collins Blend and shake well with ice. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with the remaining lemon wheel and a sprig of fresh mint.

Cheers!

5 Things You Didn't Know About Mexico's Favorite Spirit- Tequila!

Many people are familiar with tequila. The taste, the smell ... how to prepare a shot of it. Yet there are a few things people may not know about tequila, taking the 'spirit of Mexico' out of the shot glass.

Here is a list of 5 things you didn't know about tequila:

1. Although it's a common perception that tequila is made from cactus, it's actually made from the agave plant, which is a member of the lily family.

2. Like fine wine, tequilas are aged in oak barrels.

3. It takes 7 to 10 years for an agave plant to reach maturity. Once the piña, or heart of the agave, is ideally ripened, the lush sugars make for a premium tequila.

4. Tequila is more than just a name, it's also a place. The Tequila region is in Mexico, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

5. Tequila was the first spirit distilled in North America. Legend has it that the Conquistadors refined the traditional fermenting practices of the indigenous people when their supplies of European brandy gave out.