Tuesday's schedule was so jam-packed with activities that I could not possibly make all of the ones that I wanted to see. I did try my best, however, to squeeze them all in because the FOMO was strong. I started the day with Ritual's Zero Proof cocktails at the Low and No Alcohol Bar at the Ritz Carlton; I never missed a day there. One door down, Les vergers Boiron fruit purees put on a carnival to promote their range of fruit purees for cocktails that was a whole lot of spectacular in a small room. Popcorn, cotton candy, contortionists, and more were some of the features that you encountered while grabbing a drink. Mine had "champagne air" atop it.
I was enticed to try out something that most people have never tried before, nor even know about. A handful of media were invited to experience Kilinga Bacanora at a very intimate tasting of their four varietals. Like most, I have never heard of bacanora, but I was quickly educated about the spirit. Outlawed for a century before regaining legality in 1995, the Sonoran spirit is akin to tequila and mezcal. Bacanora is made using the Angustifolia Pacifica Agave in the state of Sonora. It has noticeable minerality and slight smokiness. Rancher Rodrigo Bojorquez Bours was not a fan of the bootleg bacanora that he tried throughout his life, but when he sampled a rather good one, his tune changed. He tried distilling some himself, and it tasted awful. After attending a master mezcal distilling course, and learning from excellent distillers exactly what to do, Kilinga Bacanora was truly born.
We sat with Rodrigo and his small, dedicated crew to try Kilinga Bacanora's Silvestre, Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo, though we were told that these terms are for convenience. Where an reposado tequila needs only to be aged for at least 4 months and anejo at least a year, Kilinga's Reposado and Anejo are aged for 6-10 months and 3 years, respectively. Kilinga was officially established in 2018 and have already won awards even though bacanora is unknown to many in the spirits industry. This was a special moment for me at Tales of the Cocktail, and I cannot wait to see what Kilinga grows to be as bacanora becomes the next big thing.
Angel's Envy was making some picture-perfect drinks that you could customize with a range of items (mine had edible flowers and gold leaf), but those in the know ventured upstairs to get a special pour of unfinished whiskey straight from the master distiller Owen Martin. Angel's Envy Cask Strength Bottled-in-Bond is normally only available at the distillery, so this was a special treat. Hennessey took over Latrobe's in the French Quarter to explain their story starting from the 1920s, heading into the more glamorous 1940s, a little stop in the 1950s, then back into the modern times.
Back at the Ritz Carlton's media lounge, Discover Puerto Rico let us know that New Orleans now has a direct flight several days a week to the island over some lovely pina coladas. The tropical vibe carried through with a visit to the Toulouse Theater where Smirnoff Tamarind made some lip-puckering drinks and giving out hot red merch items. The party did not stop as Ketel One Botanicals took over Virgin Hotel's pool. The fresh, bright drinks were perfect for a dip in the pool, and I loved the vodka-infused gelatin cubes.
As the rain threatened to pour down, I got inside a stately Elysian Fields mansion just in time where Tanqueray was waiting with plenty of delicious food, face glitter, and a very cool martini customization class. In this class, we were given a perfume bottle and asked to fill the bottle with various essential oils and plants to create a blend that can be used to flavor a martini. Then things took a dark turn at the Hotel Peter and Paul as Mr. Black brought his sweet, decadent liqueur to the former church. There were tarot card readers, hooded figures initiating attendees, and popular espresso martinis.
That little jolt of espresso propelled me back through the French Quarter with just a quick stop at White Claw's huge party for a Black Cherry Claw to the Orpheum Theater where William Grant's hotly anticipated portfolio party was about to begin. We were able to sneak in just before the masses came in so that we could see the wonders of Hendrick's Gin, sit in a monster's cauldron for Reyka Vodka, enter the camp hosted by Hudson Whiskey, and venture up to the other two floors for even more.
The real treat here was to be found well beneath the floor into the former ice house beneath the stage where a speakeasy was packed to the gills. Some secret things were taking place here that I just can't mention here. But a certain popular drink that's normally dark in color has been made completely clear by the genius bartenders at a famous bar.
Tales was not yet finished with me as I volleyed back to the other far side of the Quarter to Santos. Ghost Tequila was making heavy metal margaritas that I could not miss. Indeed, many local metalheads were there that were not a part of Tales at all. They were drawn by the band Biohazard putting on a secret show here. This 13-hour day was so much fun, but Tales was just getting started...
