AN ULTIMATE CHALLENGE . . . PART II
The inaugural Ultimate Cocktail Challenge was held in New York City in April. Founded by F. Paul Pacult, David Talbot and Sue Woodley, the competition assessed how well individual spirits performed in classic cocktails. Expert judges evaluated how, for example, different gins perform in various classic gin cocktails like the Dry Martini, Gin & Tonic and Aviation. Judges included well-known experts Dale DeGroff, David Wondrich, Jacques Bezuidenhout, Julie Reiner, Steve Olson, Audrey Saunders, Tad Carducci, Doug Frost, Andy Seymour, Don Lee, Jim Meehan and Sean Ludford (the Assistant Judging Chairman). Spirits were judged on the 1OO-point rating system in multiple rounds. The highest scoring in each cocktail was awarded the Ultimate Cocktail Challenge Chairman’s Trophy. For the complete list of all Ultimate Cocktail Challenge results, go to ultimate-beverage.com/UCC2O1O-results.
2O1O CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY WINNERS
BEST GIN in a . . .
Aviation Tanqueray No. 1O
Dry Martini Tanqueray London Dry
Gin & Tonic Plymouth
Negroni Tanqueray London Dry
Tom Collins Tanqueray London Dry
BEST VODKA in a . . .
Bloody Mary Vermont White
Cosmopolitan Chopin
Vodka Martini Orzel
Vodka & Tonic Tito’s Handmade
BEST TEQUILA in a . . .
Margarita with Cointreau Milagro Reposado
Paloma Tres Agaves Reposado
Tequila Sunrise Tres Agaves Blanco
BEST COGNAC/BRANDY in a . . .
Brandy Alexander Martell Cordon Bleu
Brandy Julep Martell Cordon Bleu
Sidecar Remy Martin VSOP
Stinger Remy Martin VS
BEST SCOTCH WHISKY in a . . .
Blood & Sand Highland Park 12
Rob Roy Macallan Fine Oak 1O
Rusty Nail Macallan Fine Oak 1O
Scotch Sour Highland Park 12
BEST NORTH AMERICAN WHISKEY in a . . .
Manhattan Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond Rye
Mint Julep Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond Rye
Old-Fashioned Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon
Sazerac Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond Rye
Whiskey Sour Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon
BEST RUM in a . . .
Daiquiri Banks 5 Island
Mai Tai Plantation Grande Reserve
Mojito Don Q Cristal
BEST ORANGE LIQUEUR in a . . .
Cosmopolitan Cointreau
Margarita Cointreau
Sidecar Patron Citronge
