Four Roses Bourbon Manhattan Contest Crowns Winner

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Patrick Riedling,

Media Relations Specialist, thevimarcgroup

Office: (502) 261-9100 X238

Mobile: (502) 419-9419

patrick.riedling@vimarc.com

KENTUCKY’S BEST BARTENDER NAMED

Four Roses Bourbon Manhattan Contest Crowns Winner

Louisville, KY (November 17, 2003) – Al Parrish of The Parrish House in Louisville, KY has been named Kentucky’s best bartender by Four Roses Bourbon. Mr. Parrish won the final mix-off in the Four Roses Bourbon Make a Better Manhattan Contest Friday night at Wellinghurst Steak House in downtown Louisville.

Mr. Parrish won a trip for two to New York City. The prize package includes roundtrip airfare from Louisville International Airport, four-days-three-nights hotel stay at the famed Wellington Hotel in the heart of Manhattan, and $400 spending money, all sponsored by Four Roses Distillery of Lawrenceburg, KY.

Bartenders across the state were invited to create and submit a new variation on the classic Manhattan cocktail, the key ingredient being Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Friday evening, the finalists’ cocktails were critiqued and a winner selected by a panel of celebrity judges from across Kentucky.

The panel of celebrity judges included Ed O’Daniel, President of Kentucky Distiller’s Association; Jeff Yeast, contributor to StraightBourbon.com; Robin Garr, editor and publisher of WineLoversPage.com and LouisvilleHotBites.com; Scott Mullins, afternoon host of WFPK-Radio Louisville; Lois Baldwin, writer for Kentucky Beverage Journal; and Howard Snyder, food critic and writer for The Lexington Herald-Leader.

The competition’s finalists included Michael Aldridge from The Red Lounge in Louisville, KY; Larry Brantley from Wellinghurst Steak House in Louisville, KY; Michael Owens from Applebee’s Restaurant in Frankfort, KY; and winner Al Parrish, The Parrish House, Inc. in Louisville, KY. Michael Owens was not present for the event and did not compete.

FINAL FOUR DRINK RECIPES

Start Spreading the News (Grand Prize Winner)

Al Parrish, The Parrish House, Inc., Louisville, KY

In a gallon glass jar with a wide mouth add:

2-750ml bottles – Four Roses Bourbon

375 ml bottle – Martini and Rossi Sweet Vermouth

16 oz jar – Maraschino Cherries with stems and juice

1 Tbsp – Angostura Bitters

1 Cube – Sugar

Red Rose Petals (wash under cool water)

Marinate overnight in refrigerator (longer if possible). In ice trays, place one maraschino cherry in each ice cube slot, fill with water - stem exposed, and freeze overnight. In a large cocktail shaker, fill with regular ice, add mixture, shake until thoroughly mixed. Put cherry-ice-cubes in each glass, pour in mixture, add 3 cherries from mixture to each glass and then float a fresh red rose petal on top.

Run Four the Roses (Second Place)

Michael Aldridge, The Red Lounge, Louisville, KY

1 oz – Four Roses Bourbon

3/4 oz – Sweet Vermouth

Splash – Grand Marnier

Dash – Angostura Bitters

Spritz – Rose Water

Shake vigorously and serve in chilled cocktail glass topped with Four Roses infused cherries and twist of orange.

Cherry Blossom Manhattan (Third Place)

Larry Brantley, Wellinghurst, Louisville, KY

2 oz – Four Roses Bourbon

1-1/2 oz – Cherry Marnier

Splash – Sweet Vermouth

Serve chilled in a cocktail glass over a Four Roses infused cherry.

Four Roses Manhattan Cooler (Fourth Place)

Michael Owens, Applebees Bar & Grill, Frankfort, KY

1-1/4 oz – Four Roses Bourbon

1 oz – Cranberry Juice

1/2 oz – Sweet-n-Sour Mix

1/2 oz – Orange Juice

Splash – Club Soda

Mix in tin, chilled - pour into a rocks glass with 1/2 ice

ABOUT FOUR ROSES BOURBON

Established in 1888, Four Roses Distillery is one of Kentucky’s oldest active bourbon operations. The Spanish mission-style architecture of the distillery is unique in Kentucky. Built in 1911, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more than four decades, Four Roses has been a top selling bourbon in Europe and Japan. The brand is now launching in the U.S. with an exclusive Kentucky distribution and marketing program. Four Roses is a member of the Kirin Brewery family of companies. For more information please call (502) 261-9100 X238.