Contestants were scored on a 100-point system and the competition was fierce to show what could be made with two original recipes using Woodford Reserve.
>> Free cheese coneys this week to celebrate Reds opening day
Credit: ALEXIS LARSEN/CONTRIBUTED
Credit: ALEXIS LARSEN/CONTRIBUTED
Last night’s winner, Leanne Kubiez from Western Reserve Distillery in Lakewood, Ohio, is one of 39 finalists who will move on to represent their regional competition during an immersive trip to the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Kentucky at the end of April.
Finalists from that event will compete in New York City, where someone will be crowned with the title Master of the Manhattan and given an all-expenses-paid trip to Cocktail Week in London, England.
Kubiez won for her execution of two excellent cocktails.
>> All the Taco Tuesday deals in Dayton you need to know about
Classic 2:1 Manhattan
Woodford Reserve Bourbon (2 parts)
Carpano (1 part)
Angostura Bitters (5-6 dashes)
DioNYCus
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked (3 parts)
Byrrh (.5 parts)
Carpano Antica (.5 parts)
Punch Abruzzo (.25 parts)
Angostura bitters (.5 parts)
Water (.5 parts)
Fee Brother's Plum bitters (4-5 dashes)
>> PHOTOS: Local, historic octagon-shaped house on market for first time in 35 years
Last year's "Master of the Manhattan” title was given to Chris Enns from Fairmont Pacific Rim’s Lobby Bar, in downtown Vancouver.
He won with ‘The Only’ Woodford Manhattan.
60ml Woodford Reserve Rye
22.5ml Vermouth Blend (Equal parts Punt e Mes and Martini Rosso)
7.5ml Luxardo Cherry Sangue Morlacco
2 dash Woodford Reserve Sassafras and Sorghum Bitters
Garnish: Lemon Twist and Cherry
Glass: Nick & Nora / or just ‘up’
Contact this contributing writer at alexis.e.larsen@hotmail.com.
About the Author