Arriving in New Orleans a Tales Virgin

When the decision was made that I was going to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail, I spent a month going between excited and terrified. I had heard so much about this non-stop party in one of the most sinful cities in the world. When I finally did arrive and made myself through a drunken crowd to receive my credentials and my “Tales Virgin” button, all of the apprehension came flooding back.

The trip to New Orleans had been uneventful. In fact, I had actually been able to catch an earlier plane. I checked into my room at Hotel Monteleone and picked up my packet. I have to admit that dazed and confused was probably the best way to describe me as I started walking the streets of New Orleans with all the liquor company trucks handing out samples and the Tales revelers in the street.

My first event was an early one, the Diageo Happy Hour.  Since it was a few miles away I decided to take a cab. Unfortunately, the driver was as new to NOLA as I was and he couldn’t find the spot. By the time I walked to it in the pouring rain, I was drenched. I wasn’t alone as some of the water was actually seeping through the tents. I tried not to let it get to me and instead got right into the party.

There were some great hors d'oeuvres being passed around. I hadn’t stopped for lunch so I helped myself to the Spring Rolls, Duck in Pepper Sauce, Veal in Phyllo and Apple Dumplings. There were stands throughout the room with cocktails made from Diageo spirits and the mixologists who had created them standing by. I made sure to have plenty of water between tastings to keep myself going.

I ran into Dan Dunn, who was about to do his Sirius radio show, but took a few minutes to help this Tales Virgin out with some pointers.  We chatted for awhile before he was off to do his show and I was back to tasting on my own.

There were a lot of choices, but my favorite drinks at the event were:

Ka-Tet

Zacapa Rum 23, Amontillado Sherry, maraschino liqueur and angostura bitters

by Jenn Tosatto, 2012 USBG & Diageo World Class U.S. Finalist Cocktail

Tequila-Mockingbird

Tequila Don Julio Reposado, Manuka Honey, fresh lime juice and tabasco

By Tim Phillips, 2012 Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year

The Big A

Zacapa Rum 23, ginger liqueur, unfiltered apple juice, lemon juice and ginger beer

By Tony Abou-Ganim, 2012 USBG & Diageo World Class Luminary

I left the Diageo party just before it ended to make my way over to the Beam Global Spirited Dinner at The Pelican Club. I sat with three fellow writers who I had met on three different press trips at Beam’s guests’ table and enjoyed a dinner paired with some of Beam’s latest and greatest. 

Host Noah Rothbaum of Liquor.com, who had been on my trip to Paris for the Perrier Jouët Anniversary, talked about the various eras of whiskey through the years as the drinks and courses were served. He was accompanied by Fred Noel and Max Watman, who were equally as knowledgeable on the history of spirits.

Even though whiskey isn’t usually my top choice, I liked all of the drinks they served, especially the Ginger in the Rye (Knob Creek Rye, ginger liqueur, fresh lemon sour, fresh pressed apple juice, pear puree and a pear garnish) and the Storyville Julep (Knob Creek Bourbon, thin honey syrup, fresh pressed pineapple juice, club soda, pineapple and mint).  I noted the trend in apple cocktails, which certainly fit in well for fall.

The dinner was good, but the dessert had everyone wanting to clean their plates. It was South Carolina Peach & Honey Cobbler, with a white chocolate and pecan crumble. To finish it off, we were given the Stag Spiced Mocha, with Red Stag Spiced, Kamora Coffee Liqueur, French vanilla ice cream and a caramel drizzle.

I was more than full and exhausted by the time I walked into the Hotel Monteleone. The crowds were still sampling the endless spirits in the lobby and for a moment I thought to join them, then I remembered my full schedule for day two and instead headed to my room.          

Getting acquainted at South Beach

Updated 8/9/26

It was a long trip (is it me, or are there too many planes with mechanical problems out there?!), but I finally made it to my hotel in South Beach, Florida, in the wee hours of the morning.  My last minute hotel seems to be a little hidden gem.  The Cavalier is no thrills, but the room is cute, the location is perfect, the cost was reasonable and the Ocean is (literally) a stone's throw away.  I'd be lying if I said I was fine with the three hours sleep I got before the morning activity began outside my room.  I guess no one wants to sleep in South Beach.

This is my first visit to what I've been told is one of the ultimate eating, drinking and just plain partying events.  The South Beach Food and Wine Festival has been in existence for nine years and its popularity has been increasing with the celebrity status that the Food Network now brings to anything associated with it.  This five day event is filled with parties, tastings and demonstrations for anyone who likes food and/or drink.  In other words, it's for everyone.


After a good dose of caffeine, the day started for me on the roof of The Betsy Hotel, where I mingled with sponsors, celebrity chefs, organizers and fellow members of the press. The mimosas were flowing along with the yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit and cheese, pastries and salmon & cream cheese sandwiches. While some thought it was a bit cool, I reveled in sunshine and temperatures above freezing for the first time in quite awhile.  And the view from The Betsy rooftop (as you can see above) is memorable. Chef Daniel Boulud, an honoree at the festival was introduced as it was announced that this year's event outsold any before -- 52,000 tickets purchased, almost all events sold out.

In the afternoon, I went to visit Maire Griffin, who happens to work for a "little" company called Diageo to check out their latest and greatest and I was not disappointed.  There's nothing like a private tasting and it's even better when you get to pick.  I checked out some wines, both new and old.  The new was in the form of Jade Mountain Vineyard's White Wine Blend.  This California vineyard blends Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier and the oak barrel product is a genuine blend of dry and sweet, with just a hint of spice.  I also enjoyed the Provenance (another Napa area vineyard) Sauvignon blanc, perfect on this mild day.

Maire and I talked a bit about the great products from Rosenblum (an urban winery in the Bay area) and Sterling before I switched from wine to spirits.  I was excited to learn that Captain Morgan is doing more than moving from Puerto Rico to St. Croix, they are creating an atmosphere to make their product with no waste going into the environment.  I also got some news on Ciroc Vodka. The P'Diddy touted spirit  is being released in Red Berry and Coconut, a flavor I have yet to taste in vodka.  I didn't leave the Diageo suite without a sampling of my standard, but never dated, Tangueray No. 10 and tonic, but only one, because I have a party to go to tonight with a man named Emeril.  I hear he knows his way around a kitchen.