The Intoxicologist

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Searches for the Ultimate Well-Crafted Manhattan Recipe

September 17, 2009, Louisville, Ky. – With the recent resurgence of pre-Prohibition bourbon cocktails, the classic Manhattan is making a comeback across the country. Woodford Reserve bourbon and Esquire magazine are teaming up to give at-home mixologists and eligible bartenders the chance to win a trip to New York City as part of the Craft the Ultimate Manhattan Contest beginning this fall.

From September 1 to November 30, eligible consumers are encouraged to submit their own recipe online at www.wellcraftedmanhattan.com.  Entries will be judged in the categories of Name, Creativity and Originality, and recipes must include Woodford Reserve bourbon as the primary ingredient. One grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to Manhattan, while second and third place winners will receive prizes from Woodford Reserve and Esquire. Winners will be notified on or about December 21. Official rules are available at www.wellcraftedmanhattan.com.

·         Woodford Reserve Bourbon: Belmont Breeze

·         Bourbon Cocktails

“Woodford Reserve is a hand-crafted bourbon with exceptional smoothness and is the cornerstone of a well-balanced Manhattan cocktail,” said Laura Petry, Woodford Reserve brand manager. “Along with our partners at Esquire, we look forward to crowning the winner of the Craft the Ultimate Manhattan Contest.”

In addition to the online contest, Woodford Reserve and Esquire will host a series of bartender exhibition events in select U.S. markets in September and October. Bartenders will showcase their own well-crafted Manhattan cocktails during The Manhattan Experience events, and in eligible markets, the bartenders’ creations will be judged by a panel of experts. One finalist from each event in select markets will showcase the area’s winning Manhattan during an exclusive event at Esquire Soho, the magazine’s Ultimate Bachelor Pad, in Manhattan on November 9.

·         Bourbon Raspberry Waffle Drink Recipe

·         Dubonnet Mint Julep

·         $1,000 Mint Julep Cup

To celebrate the spirit of crafting the ultimate cocktail, Esquire magazine’s resident mixologist David Wondrich has developed the Esquire Manhattan featuring Woodford Reserve. The cocktail recipe is as follows:

Esquire Manhattan featuring Woodford Reserve

2 oz. Woodford Reserve bourbon

1 oz. Cinzano red vermouth

2 dashes Angostura bitters

1 dash Pernod 68 absinthe

Stir well with plenty of cracked ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass and twist a swatch of thin-cut lemon peel over the top.

About Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by Brown-Forman

Corporation, a producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Fetzer, Korbel, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutter, Chambord, Tuaca, and Bonterra. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly. For more information on Woodford Reserve, visit www.woodfordreserve.com.

About Esquire

Esquire (www.esquire.com), published by Hearst Magazines, was the winner of the 2009 National Magazine Awards for “Feature Writing,” “Personal Service” and “Leisure Interests.” It is the most-honored monthly magazine in America with a total of 13 awards. Readers can also interact with the brand on the digital front, with Esquire mobile (m.esquire.com). In addition to its U.S. flagship, Esquire publishes 16 editions around the world. 

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45.2% Alc. by Vol., The Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY ©2009.

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