Unmissable Tales of the Cocktail 2016 seminars

Heading to New Orleans for the world’s largest cocktail festival? Don’t finalise your schedule until you’ve checked out our guide to the hottest seminars and most insightful education sessions.

We detail some of Tales of the Cocktail’s most unmissable events

Ready, set… Tales of the Cocktail is readying to return to New Orleans for 2016, bigger, bolder (and likely boozier!) than ever.

From distributors to brand owners, bartenders to ambassadors, Tales presents a key annual opportunity to meet industry stakeholders from all over the world and make personal and professional relationships that will last for years to come – so you’ll need to know how to make the most of it.

Whether you’re new to the experience or a verified veteran, we offer up our pick of the top seminars, tours, tastings and parties taking place throughout the week (19-24 July) for your perusal.

With educational sessions spanning molecular cask maturation to space cocktails, and enough dinners and parties to put off the post-Tales blues until at least Christmas, this year looks set to become the most action-packed to take place yet.

This Survival Guide 2016 is interspersed with tips and guidance from the festival’s organisers, along with the regulars who frequent the event each year and have lived to tell the Tale.

With more than 200 events, it’s easy to fill up your time, but of course it’s equally important to relax and recharge throughout the week – which is why we fully advocate taking advantage of the festival’s new health programme, or setting an afternoon aside to explore some the vibrant historical and cultural sights the “Big Easy” has to offer.

But back to Tales: our guide is merely a tiny drop in a very large ocean of education and information, so for further details and a full overview of the schedule, be sure to visit www.talesofthecocktail.com.

Tuesday 19 July

New Orleans Cocktail Tour
Le Booze, 300 Bourbon Street
4:00pm – 5:00pm
What better way is there to settle into Tales than with a taste of spirited cocktail history through the city’s French Quarter, led by tour guide Joe Gendusa. Take in the stories of famous bars, restaurants, people and cocktails that have made New Orleans an iconic drinking destination. Arrive half an hour early for a pre-tour cocktail by Wyborowa Wódka.

Gettin’ Down With The New Brown
Riverview Room, Hotel Monteleone
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Brandy is in the process of going full circle in the trend stakes, and is set to reemerge as the brown spirit of the moment. Torres master distillers recreate a selection of classic American cocktails – many of which were made with brandy to begin with – to demonstrate the spirit’s versatility.

Tales Of The Cocktail AUA
Queen Anne Ballroom, Hotel Monteleone
2:00pm – 3:30pm
If you’ve got any burning Tales-related questions or suggestions, put them to Ann Tuennerman, Philip Duff, Don Lee and Simon Ford at this complementary Ask Us Anything event. From picking cocktail apprentices to seminar selection, no holds are barred at this inclusive meet.

Wednesday 20 July

Morning Mash Presented By Beam Suntory
Royal Sonesta Arcade, Morning Bar
9:30am – 11:00am
Start the day right by fueling up at Morning Mash. Aside from the obvious benefits of lining your stomach before the long day ahead, the bakery proffers muffins made with grains similar to the mash bills from the likes of Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark – getting your palate prepped for some serious tasting. The Morning Mash is open every morning until Friday, in case you’re already struggling to get out of bed.

Brand Builder: Go Deep Not Wide – Getting Sales Traction In A Market, Presented By Distill Ventures
Vieux Carre Room, Hotel Monteleone
10:00am – 11:00am
Kicking off a day-long series of talks aimed at people interested in launching their own spirits startups, Go Deep Not Wide explores how to make the right choices when planning the rollout of a new brand. Featuring experts and successful entrepreneurs from across the industry, these sessions are imperative for anyone looking to grow a successful brand.

When Is A Rum Not A Rum? The Big Rum Debate
Queen Anne Ballroom, Hotel Monteleone
10:00am – 11:30am
As one of the most fragmented spirits categories in the world with more than a few rum-producing countries, there’s some contention about what constitutes a ‘real’ rum. Global rum category ambassador Ian Burrell leads a debate on rum rules, definitions, and the future of the category.

Lock, Stock And Six Smoking Barrels
La Nouvelle Orleans East, Hotel Monteleone
12:30pm – 2:00pm
Curious about wood finishes? Explore the process with a guided tasting of six extraordinary whiskies finished in various casks from Scotland, Ireland and the USA. Discover the science behind the flavour, investigate the legalities involved in using certain casks, and learn which barrels are avoided by distillers in this comprehensive session by Becky Paskin, editor of Scotchwhisky.com, The Balvenie’s Jonathan Wingo, Angel’s Envy’s Wes Henderson and Teeling Whiskey Company’s Kevin Hurley.

Why Do Cocktail Cultures Develop – Or Don’t
La Nouvelle Orleans East, Hotel Monteleone
3:00pm – 4:30pm
Why is the cocktail culture in some places years or sometimes decades behind London and New York? What helps accelerate a city’s status from average to world class? From macroeconomic factors to industry pioneers, Audrey Fort, co-founder of brand development boutique agency The Rooster Factory, and her panel will reveal why some countries are leaps ahead while others are lagging behind on the mixology meter.

Thursday 21 July

A Spirited Salon: Conversations With 6 Legendary Authors
Restaurant R’evolution
10:00am – 11:30am
From retro recipes to historical tomes, there’s never been so much literary choice for drinks lovers. Hear legendary authors Martin Cate, Paul Clarke, Jack McGarry, Jim Meehan, Sean Muldoon, Gary Regan and David Wondrich read from their books while you sip a refreshing cocktail and come up with your questions for the Q&A after.

Age≠Maturity: The Rise Of NAS Whiskies
Bonnet Carre Room, Hotel Monteleone

12:30pm – 2:00pm
For years, age was seen an indicator of quality when it comes to whisk(e)y, but now more and more are hitting the market without a number on the bottle. This session explores the methods behind barrel choice, the role of wood, what started the NAS trend and its potential impact on the sector.

Citrus Complexity: From Grove To Glass
Iberville Room, Hotel Monteleone
3:00pm – 4:30pm
Citrus is an integral component in any bar – so why not boost your knowledge in the company of five experts from across the globe? Explore its history and anatomy, view one of the largest citrus collections in the world, hone the extraction process, and discover more about the usage challenges unique to citrus such as oil extraction, oxidation, and pH changes.

The Roof Is On Fire! Dangerous Drinks
La Nouvelle Orleans West at the Hotel Monteleone
3:00pm – 4:30pm
From liquid nitrogen to flaming drinks, toxic garnishes to allergens, this seminar will examine the various dangers associated with cocktail creation, dishing out practical advice, legal requirements, key resources and fascinating insight.

Meet The Distillers Happy Hour
Sheraton New Orleans
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Described as a “homage to the people and spirits that make the world such an interesting place to drink”, the annual event results with a “craft” focus, attracting the largest range of producers yet. More than 50 will showcase their wares, including genever from Hooghoudt’s De Borgen Distillery, gin from Four Pillars and American whiskey from Balcones.

Friday 22 July

Talking Rot: Rancio, Scotch And Madness
Queen Anne Ballroom, Hotel Monteleone
10:00am – 11:30am
Join esteemed whisky writer Dave Broom, Ryan Chetiyawardana – aka, Mr Lyan – and scientist Arielle Johnson in exploring flavours and technique involved in the molecular process of ageing. Examine rancio and other “elusive” aromas uncovered by maturing whisky in specific conditions with a tasting of rare cask samples and blends.

What’s In My Drink… Beyond Flavour And Tastes
La Nouvelle Orleans West, Hotel Monteleone
12:30pm – 2:00pm
This scientific seminar sees cocktails reduced to their basic sensorial level. Led by flavour expert Derek Elefson and senior flavourist, John Baughman, along with Ryan Chetiyawardana and Iain Griffiths of White Lyan and Dandelyan, the panel will reveal the ways in which factors beyond basic taste can manipulate the overall experience of a drink, and offer practical insight into how certain sensations and perceptions enhance or reduce particular flavours.

The Cocktail Crystal Ball: Drinking In 2116
Queen Anne Ballroom, Hotel Monteleone
3:00pm – 4:30pm
Glimpse into the future of the cocktail as you consider how technological advances – particularly in distillation and culinary science – as well as climate change and geopolitical factors will influence the trajectory of the cocktail bar and the wider drinks world. Join a panel of experts in predicting cocktail culture in the year 2116.

Guilty Pleasure: Drink Better, Feel Better
Acadia Suite, Royal Sonesta Hotel
3:30pm – 5:00pm
What is the universal human appeal of intoxication? It is nature or nurture that determines the drinks we enjoy? And can we harness an understanding of this to enhance the experience? Join Claire Smith- Warner and Iain Griffiths of White Lyan and Dandelyan in answering these questions and more in an all-encompassing seminar on the psychological motivation behind enjoying a tipple or two.

A Spirited Celebration Of The Americas Presented By Diageo USA And Bittered Sling
Conti Corner Suite, Royal Sonesta Hotel
3:30pm – 5:30pm
Take a cocktail tour around the US guided by Bittered Sling Bitters co-owner and World Class Canada Bartender of the Year, Lauren Mote. Sip your way from Western Canada and Central America to Mexico and South America with a backdrop of music and culture.

Saturday 23 July

The Seven Pillars Of Classic Cocktails
Iberville Room, Hotel Monteleone
10:00am – 11:30am
Bittercube co-founder Ira Koplowitz, award- winning bartender Marco Zappia and cocktail historian and author Matthew Rowley dish out seven key “dealers choice” formulas that form the foundations of an infinite number of cocktails options – the perfect solution to the customer that leaves their drink choice up to the bartender during a busy shift.

How Much Are You Worth?
Fleur de Lis Suite, Royal Sonesta Hotel
10:30am – 12:00pm
As a career in the bar industry becomes ever-more covetable, with ambassadorial and consultant roles elevating star bartenders to new heights, pay is a crucial – and often awkward – subject to broach. Led by Moderator Jonathan Pogash, a panel comprising Justin Noel of Closing Time Cocktails; Diego Cabrera, Spain’s Best Bartender and Consultant; and Pamela Wiznitzer of Seamstress NY dissect the varied opinions of bartenders, ambassadors and brands to determine when bartenders should work for free, when to ask for a fee, and the validity of the “freemium” model.

MMA 2 ‘The Rematch’
Fleur de Lis Suite, Royal Sonesta Hotel
1:00pm – 2:30pm
The MMA seminar is back for 2016 to once again pit six ambassadors from Diageo, Beam Suntory and William Grant & Sons against each other in a whisky standoff. Each entrant will have five minutes to win over the audience with a whisky from their brand – but they can’t say which distillery it’s from or how old it is. The moderator will ask questions, and the audience will ultimately decide on the champion.

The New Age Of Bourbon
La Nouvelle Orleans West, Hotel Monteleone
12:30pm – 2:00pm
Where once upon a time a Bourbon distiller would be fired for experimenting with new yeasts, now experimentation holds the key to the future of the category. An esteemed panel looks at the trends spurring these new styles of Bourbon and their never-before- seen flavour profiles – which has in turn lead to a new style of whiskey cocktails.

Discover The Magic Of Riga Black Cocktails Presented By Riga Black Balsam
Riverview Room, Hotel Monteleone
3:00pm – 5:00pm
Educate yourself on one of the oldest bitter brands in production with a educational session by Riga Black. Led by chief marketing officer Valters Kaže, global brand director Maris Kalninš, and brand ambassador Justs Kišcenko, you’ll examine the rich history behind the pitch-black bittersweet spirit drink and learn how to craft innovative Riga Black cocktails.

Cosmic Cocktails: The Final Frontier
Iberville Room, Hotel Monteleone
3:00pm – 4:30pm
As soon as the presence of alcohol in space was discovered – Comet Lovejoy is made up of alcohol and ice – it became clear that the future of cocktails is cosmic. Join Claire Smith-Warner from Belvedere, amateur space geek, Jeffrey Kluger, co-author of Apollo 13, and Tristan Stephenson, author of The Curious Bartender, in examining the physical changes to alcohol in space and how this knowledge can help us develop more cocktails on Earth.

One For The Ages: The 10th Annual Spirited Awards
Sheraton New Orleans
6:30pm – 11:30pm
Celebrate 10 whole years of the Spirited Awards with a bar crawl spanning three different decades. Come dressed in your favorite fifties, eighties or noughties dress and champion the music, movies and style from these eras as the industry’s most accomplished bars, bartenders, distillers and writers are recognised on the world stage. Look out for the Chivas Masters Collective – following the final of the Chivas Masters cocktail competition last month in Shanghai, the team will be serving their winning cocktails, the Cinco Hermanos and Dark & Horny.

Sunday 24 July

The Bon Vivants With Imbibe Present The 7th Annual Pig & Punch
Washington Square Park
12:00pm – 5:00pm
Now a Tales staple, this unmissable “festival within a festival” is the perfect way to see off the week. Bask in the New Orleans sunshine in Washington Square Park as you eat pork, sip punch, and play games and enjoy music with the last ones standing.