Woodford Reserve scoured the country for the single-most well-crafted Manhattan in the nation. Just recently, Woodford Reserve bourbon and Esquire magazine have crowned Jeromy Edwards from Louisville, Kentucky and his “Cider Manhattan” as the “Master of the Manhattan” for 2009.

Seems only fitting that Jeromy is from Louisville - home to Woodford Reserve.

Jeromy’s cocktail was reviewed by a distinguished panel of experts along with the seven other bartenders creations from across the country. Edwards and the other participant’s cocktails were critiqued on creativity, ingredients, presentation and taste. The judges included Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris, Executive Chef Christopher Lee, Mixologist Julie Reiner and Spirits Journalist Jack Robertiello.

The Cider Manhattan along with the other seven recipes will be featured in a Woodford Reserve advertisement in the January edition of Esquire, but you, dear readers, get a sneak peek at Jeromy’s Cider Manhattan:

Cider Manhattan crafted by Jeromy Edwards

• 2 oz. Woodford Reserve® bourbon
• ¾ oz. Cider Reduction
• ½ oz. Antica Vermouth
• Dash Angostura® bitters
• Grand Marnier flambéed cherry (preferably Rainier Cherries)

Flambée cherry in the martini glass, allowing it to caramelize. Place drink in shaker and turn - don’t shake. Pour into glass after it has cooled.

The 2009 Sortilège Cup competition for professional mixologists is coming up!  On Monday, November 23rd and Tuesday, November 24th, men & women bartenders will compete to win a trip to Montreal in summer 2010 to visit the Sortilège plant.

The Gentlemen’s Competition will be held on Monday, November 23 2009, and the Ladies’ Competition will take place a day later.  Both events will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

The details for the recipe, judging and scoring are as follows. Many of the competitions follow similar guidelines:

Recipes and ingredients:
o Must be expressed in oz.
o Must contain at least ½ oz. of Sortilège Liqueur.
o Competitors must bring their own ingredients, shakers, and glasses.
o Ingredients may be measured or freely poured.
o Heated ingredients are not allowed.

Judging
o The Judges’ committee will consist of 6 members:
o Media Judges (2 members)
o Mixologist Judges (2 members)
o Head Judges (2 members)

Scoring
o The Media and Mixologist judges will evaluate based on 3 categories:
o Appearance (0-8 points)
o Aroma (0-6 points)
o Taste (0-14 points)
o The Head Judges will evaluate based on 3 categories:
o Technique (0-15 points)
o Originality (0-15 points)
o Overall impression (0-15 points)
o Head Judges’ scoring will be counted and also used in the case of a tie. In the case of a tie the recipe that received the higher score from the Head Judges will be deemed the winner.