Showcasing a Classic: The Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience

Apr. 5, 2017

There aren’t many things in life that were born during the Ulysses S. Grant presidency that are still popular today. The Manhattan happens to be one of them.

 

“The recent resurgence in classic cocktails has driven the popularity of the Manhattan,” said Brown-Forman’s Diana Brey. “It is a great, spirit-forward drink that attracts a wide range of consumers.”

 

It’s a cocktail as old as time, and the beauty is in the simplicity – three ingredients: whiskey, vermouth, bitters. But even reliable renditions need a refresh every now and then, and that’s where Woodford Reserve saw an opportunity to introduce new flavors into a familiar friend.

 

“The Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience is one of the best bourbon-focused cocktail competitions in the industry,” said Brey.

 

The annual program has been traveling city to city this spring to tap top local bartenders with a simple task – craft the next perfect Manhattan. The competition takes aim at new ways to create a classic. Contestants are scored not only on creativity, but also on presentation and bartending skills.

 

One Brown-Forman representative who hosted the Pittsburgh Manhattan melee has a personal connection to the experience.

 

“I actually won the Pittsburgh edition of the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience two years ago,” said Mike Mills, Account Development Specialist for Brown-Forman. “This is such a unique way for bartenders to explore creativity, yet remain true to the classic cocktail.”

 

Mills tells us that this competition is more than just creating the best possible version of the Manhattan— it’s also about putting on a charismatic bartending performance.

 

“It’s a bartending competition — not a drink-making competition,” said Mills. “We’re capturing the immersive interaction with the bartender and having him or her bring you into their personal Manhattan experience.”

 

The competition has already poured through nearly 40 markets, spanning the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. After a winner is selected from each market, Woodford Reserve will fly the winners to their distillery for an immersive learning experience, all in preparation for the final competition taking place in New York City in late April.

 

Mills believes the brand whose name headlines the competition provides for the perfect base spirit for the budding battle of the bartenders.

 

“Woodford Reserve is such a versatile spirit and has more complexities than a lot of other bourbons,” said Mills. “You can take different notes out of the spirit and create your very own unique cocktail.”

 

Stay tuned for more news regarding the final competition of this year’s Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience. Enjoy the complete photo album by clicking on the picture below.