Louis Royer Cognac Announces Winners of Its Third "Show Me the Proof!" High Proof Cognac Cocktail Competition Spotlighting "Force 53" VSOP Cognac: Timothy Miner (The Long Island Bar), Jason Cousins (Da Claudio) and Gregory Buda (The Dead Rabbit)
NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Louis Royer, an iconic Cognac house dating to 1853 and led by the fifth generation of its founding family, today announces the winners of the Third "Show Me the Proof!" High Proof Cognac Cocktail Competition held on Dec. 1, 2014. Timothy Miner (The Long Island Bar) won the Grand Prize of an all-expense paid trip to France for two. Second and third place winners were Jason Cousins (Da Claudio) and Gregory Buda (The Dead Rabbit), respectively, with each awarded a cash prize of $1,000.
The competition celebrated Louis Royer "Force 53" VSOP Cognac, one of the most robust Cognacs on the U.S. market that has been embraced by bartenders and tippling connoisseurs. It was hosted by Hanna Lee Communications, Inc., an award-winning agency specialized in spirits, food, wine, and lifestyle PR and social media marketing.
"We congratulate the winners of the 'Show Me the Proof!' competition. Each took a very different approach to creating a cocktail that was delicious to sip and also showcased our 'Force 53' Cognac in new and exciting ways," says Jerome Royer, Master Selector, Louis Royer Cognac, who is a fifth generation member of the house's family. "As the enthusiasm for this competition continues to grow, we look forward to saluting future bartenders who will take 'Force 53' to new heights."
"We are very proud that 'Force 53' continues to lead the overproof Cognac trend," says Nicolas Royer, U.S. Brand Ambassador, Louis Royer Cognac, who is a sixth generation family member. "We are providing bartenders with a tool to renew Cognac's relevance to the cocktail scene and explore a new world of flavors. The competition demonstrates the genuine enthusiasm that bartenders feel about our spirit."
The final competition was held at Bacchanal, a casual fine dining restaurant on the Bowery. It was judged by spirits/cocktail industry luminaries:
- Dale DeGroff - Legendary mixologist and founder of the Museum of the American Cocktail
- Paul Pacult - Noted spirits critic and publisher/editor of The Spirit Journal
- Steve Olson - Founder of aka wine geek and renowned spirits, wine and cocktail expert
- Jack Robertiello - Widely-respected spirits and cocktail writer
- Jerome Royer - Louis Royer Cognac's Master Selector and a fifth-generation family member
- Sother Teague - Bartender at Amor y Amargo and co-winner of the Grand Prize of the second annual "Show Me the Proof!" High Proof Cognac Cocktail Competition
- Pamela Wiznitzer - Bartender at The Dead Rabbit and co-winner of the Grand Prize of the second annual "Show Me the Proof!" High Proof Cognac Cocktail Competition
"I'm elated to have won the competition's Grand Prize and to have been considered among these top bartenders," says Miner. "I visited France as a teenager and it's been my dream to return there as an adult to experience its spirits and cocktails. Thank you, Louis Royer Cognac, for making my dream come true."
The cocktail recipe compilation was executed by the competition's partner, ShakeStir.com, a leading online community of thousands of bartenders and mixologists, which promoted it to its members.
About Louis Royer Cognac
Founded in 1853, Louis Royer is an iconic Cognac house located on the banks of the Charente River in Jarnac, France. It is a revered producer of award-winning Cognacs, including VSOP, high proof and XO expressions. In 2013, Louis Royer "Force 53" VSOP Cognac received a "Best in Show" Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco Wine & Spirits Competition and the house's XO was awarded a Gold Medal. In addition, XO was named among the World's Top 120 Spirits by Paul Pacult's renowned The Spirit Journal. Master Blender Laurent Robin works closely with Master Selector Jerome Royer, a fifth-generation family member, together with Master Distiller Monia Martin, to meld together fine eaux-de-vie to create Cognacs of remarkable complexity and approachability. They exemplify the house's bee emblem that symbolizes its passion for work, organization and commitment. For more information, please visit www.louis-royer.com. On social media, please follow us on Twitter at @Force53cognac and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LOUISROYERCOGNAC.
Media Contacts:
Hanna Lee or Jen Neugeboren
Hanna Lee Communications, Inc.
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SOURCE Louis Royer Cognac
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