by Steven Doyle photos by Mary Szefcyk
One of the more entertaining parts of my work is that I am graciously asked to judge cocktail competitions. Sometimes these are hardcore Bartending Guild contests pitting area bartenders for glorious prizes including trips and cash, other times it can be a specific brand that looking to entertain the public and industry folks who actually sell the spirits. In this time I have witnessed quite a few gimmicks that prove entertaining that had the competitors doing such antics as performing stand up and heaving push ups on the bar in order to curry favorable points. It almost seems the smaller the budget the more outrageous the event becomes, as we witnessed last evening with a particular contest held at Lark on the Park by Monkey Shoulder.
Monkey Shoulder is very new to Texas and has made a huge impact with many of the bartenders in North Texas. The spirit is spectacular, affordable and extremely mixable. Monkey shoulder is a triple vatted blended whiskey brought to you by the same makers of such whiskeys as Balvenie and Glenfiddich, both used in the blend, and aged in bourbon casks for up to 12 years. Continue reading
