FOR Immediate Release                                                            

CONTACT:

Svend Jansen, Brown-Forman

502-774-7825

svend_jansen@b-f.com
Woodford Reserve ® and Esquire to Showcase Nation’s Ultimate Manhattans

Finalist’s creations to be showcased at November 9 event at Esquire Soho

Louisville, Ky. (November 5, 2009) – 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 have searched the country for the nation’s ultimate well-crafted Manhattans and will feature eight “Masters of the Manhattan” on November 9 during The Manhattan Experience Finals in New York City.
 

Each bartender showcased their own spin on the historic cocktail at events across the country and will present their own well-crafted Manhattan cocktails at the Woodford Reserve/Esquire Magazine Manhattan Experience. The event takes place in New York City on Monday, November 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Esquire Soho, the magazine’s Ultimate Bachelor Pad. There, the bartenders’ creations will be reviewed by a panel of experts, including Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris, Executive Chef Christopher Lee and Mixologist Julie Reiner.
 

“We have had some wonderful and creative recipes submitted during our search over the past few months, highlighting the complexity and versatility of Woodford Reserve,” said Laura Petry, Woodford Reserve brand manager. “Along with our partners at Esquire, we look forward to showcasing the cocktail craftsmanship of some of the finest mixologists in the country.”

All eight of the recipes will be featured in a Woodford Reserve advertisement in the January edition of Esquire.

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.

 A limited number of invitations to The Manhattan Experience are available online at www.themanhattanexperience.com. An invitation is necessary and must be presented at the door for admission. All attendees must be at least 21 years of age.

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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-Cutrer, 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.

Svend Jansen

PR Manager – Woodford Reserve, Canadian Mist, Early Times & Old Forester

Brown-Forman

850 Dixie Highway

Louisville, KY 40210

Office, (502) 774-7825

Mobile, (502) 744-0462

svend_jansen@b-f.com