Good Spirits 2018 hosted by Edible Manhattan
Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Pier A Harbor House
by Mitch Abramson, Cocktail Enthusiast
I am at this year's event featuring the “Spirited Women and Their Role in the Food and Beverage Industry” panel moderated by Louise Newsome (Olde York Farm Distillery & Cooperage/only female member of the NYS Distillery Guild Board of Directors), Liz Neumark (Great Performances), Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero of Speed Rack, Bridget Firtle (Noble Experiment), Edible editor Lauren Wilson and Lacy Hawkins (Monkey 47 Brand Ambassador).
It is shortly after 6:30 pm with plentiful food and drink, though the biggest crowd is here, thick and interested. As soon as the call for Q&A goes out, hands shoot up, interested in chatting with the who’s who of successful women in hospitality. Additionally, they featured their own Speed Rack competition, dedicated to raising money and awareness for women's breast cancer research. A portion of proceeds will go toward SHARE Cancer Support.
Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Pier A Harbor House
by Mitch Abramson, Cocktail Enthusiast
I am at this year's event featuring the “Spirited Women and Their Role in the Food and Beverage Industry” panel moderated by Louise Newsome (Olde York Farm Distillery & Cooperage/only female member of the NYS Distillery Guild Board of Directors), Liz Neumark (Great Performances), Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero of Speed Rack, Bridget Firtle (Noble Experiment), Edible editor Lauren Wilson and Lacy Hawkins (Monkey 47 Brand Ambassador).
It is shortly after 6:30 pm with plentiful food and drink, though the biggest crowd is here, thick and interested. As soon as the call for Q&A goes out, hands shoot up, interested in chatting with the who’s who of successful women in hospitality. Additionally, they featured their own Speed Rack competition, dedicated to raising money and awareness for women's breast cancer research. A portion of proceeds will go toward SHARE Cancer Support.
Our first spirits stop, Olde York Farm Distillery & Cooperage.
As suggested, we start with the peach whiskey. Fruity but not too sweet, this is a nice light introduction to the other flavors to follow. Then we are treated to a Maple Cacao Vodka and a Smoked Maple Whisky. On the palate, imagine you are drinking maple syrup. Now imagine you like it! That's because it's flavorful but without the syrupy mouthfeel. If you find their booth next year, do what I did - try everything. The Apple Brandy is truly divine and there’s a whole host of mixology combinations for their wide selection of locally sources, locally distilled, drinks available.
Next up was a lovely glass of Cab Sauvignon from the award winning St. Francis Winery from Sonoma Valley. For a spirits focused tour, we obliged samplings from Four Roses, Jack Daniel's, Johnnie Walker (including the controversial Jane Walker), and Doc Herson's Natural Spirits samplings of Anise Mint (Green), Hibiscus (Red) and Poppy Anise (White). I found Tte Poppy anise to be extremely smooth. Other favorites include Rekorderlig 's Mango-Raspberry Hard Cider and Sombra's Smoky Margarita.
As suggested, we start with the peach whiskey. Fruity but not too sweet, this is a nice light introduction to the other flavors to follow. Then we are treated to a Maple Cacao Vodka and a Smoked Maple Whisky. On the palate, imagine you are drinking maple syrup. Now imagine you like it! That's because it's flavorful but without the syrupy mouthfeel. If you find their booth next year, do what I did - try everything. The Apple Brandy is truly divine and there’s a whole host of mixology combinations for their wide selection of locally sources, locally distilled, drinks available.
Next up was a lovely glass of Cab Sauvignon from the award winning St. Francis Winery from Sonoma Valley. For a spirits focused tour, we obliged samplings from Four Roses, Jack Daniel's, Johnnie Walker (including the controversial Jane Walker), and Doc Herson's Natural Spirits samplings of Anise Mint (Green), Hibiscus (Red) and Poppy Anise (White). I found Tte Poppy anise to be extremely smooth. Other favorites include Rekorderlig 's Mango-Raspberry Hard Cider and Sombra's Smoky Margarita.
The myriad of spirits available was complemented well with the culinary selections; you are handed a fork when you first enter but it isn't needed as most tables provide a sampling on its own serverware whether it was a spoon or a fork.
Culinary Selections ran the gamut and a few favorites were: Sigmund's Artisanal Hand Rolled Soft Pretzels, Benares' Makai Ka Soweta and Aloo Papdi Chaat, Karasu's 3 Kinds of Onigir, Mokbar's Bacon Kochi, Almond's Smoked Duck Tacos, Claro's Beef Barbacao Consomme and of course the tasty bite-sized cupcake treats from Prohibition Bakery.
This was my first Edible Event and I look forward to other events Edible Manhattan (or any of its counterparts)
has in store! The organizers put together an amazing event.
Should you get to attend next year, remember these tips:
Culinary Selections ran the gamut and a few favorites were: Sigmund's Artisanal Hand Rolled Soft Pretzels, Benares' Makai Ka Soweta and Aloo Papdi Chaat, Karasu's 3 Kinds of Onigir, Mokbar's Bacon Kochi, Almond's Smoked Duck Tacos, Claro's Beef Barbacao Consomme and of course the tasty bite-sized cupcake treats from Prohibition Bakery.
This was my first Edible Event and I look forward to other events Edible Manhattan (or any of its counterparts)
has in store! The organizers put together an amazing event.
Should you get to attend next year, remember these tips:
- Arrive early! There is much drink and food to be had!
- Speaking of food, PLEASE make certain to eat; it is easier to drink responsibly when you have food in your stomach. (And how can you not partake of the selections?) Or look for the healthy Kombucha Health Ade Mocktail.
- Finally, make certain that on the second floor, you make it through the maze to watch the sun go down over the water behind The Statue of Liberty either through the welcome bar when you first arrive or at the end of the hall.
Stay tuned for the expanded Pics Gallery when we post March links the first weekend of April!
, L-R: Ivy Mix, Lynnette Marrero, Julia Ritz-Toffoli, Lacy Hawkins, Bridget Firtle, Lauren Wilson, Liz Neumark, Louise Newsome