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In this special two-part season finale of the Cocktail Guru Podcast, we went live from Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. The episode featured three amazing guests: Jim Ruane from Cierto Tequila, Nick Rose from Hudson Whiskey, and Jeff Naples from Reyka Vodka. Also in this episode Jeffrey dives into the history of the Sazerac cocktail, tracing its origins back to Antoine Amédée Pechault's apothecary in New Orleans.
The episode kicked off with lively banter between the hosts, John and his dad, as they welcomed their guests live on Facebook from Tales of the Cocktail. They highlighted the global reach of their live stream, with viewers tuning in from all over the world, including Sweden, Israel, France, Germany, Finland, and throughout the United States.
The first guest, Jim Ruane from Cierto Tequila, shared the inspiration behind Cierto Tequilas, emphasizing their commitment to tradition, sustainable agriculture, and additive-free tequila. Jim introduced the Private Collection Reposado and Reserve Collection Extra Añejo tequilas, showcasing the unique flavors and aging process of each.
Next, Jeff Naples from Reyka Vodka joined the podcast, sharing his journey from growing up near the distillery to becoming the U.S. brand ambassador for Reyka Vodka. Jeff introduced the "Strawberry Rhubarb Muffin Martini" cocktail and discussed the innovation happening at Hudson Whiskey, including the Calvados cask finish.
The episode delved into the history of the Sazerac cocktail, tracing its origins back to Antoine Amédée Pechault's apothecary in New Orleans. The hosts explored the French connection to the Sazerac, highlighting the evolution of the cocktail from cognac to rye whiskey. They also provided a detailed recipe for making a classic Sazerac cocktail.
The podcast concluded with a lively discussion about Tales of the Cocktail, the history of New Orleans cocktail culture, and the significance of the Sazerac in the cocktail world. The hosts encouraged listeners to rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast for more engaging content.
Overall, the episode was a delightful mix of cocktail history, industry insights, and lively conversations with passionate spirits professionals, making it a must-listen for cocktail enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. Cheers to another fantastic episode of the Cocktail Guru Podcast!
Chief Growth Officer, Cierto Tequila
Jim Ruane is the Chief Growth Officer of Elevated Spirits and Cierto Tequila. During his 20-year beverage career, Jim has led some of the world’s most respected brands and has studied and taught the engineering, chemistry and cultural significance of spirits distillation.
Assistant Visitor Experiential Manager
Nicholas Rose is the Assistant Visitor Experiential Manager at Hudson Valley-based Tuthilltown Distillery, the home of Hudson Whiskey.
Brand Ambassador
As a veteran of the bar, nightclub and restaurant industries, Jeffrey Naples specializes in finding new ways to incorporate regenerative practices, culinary methodologies, and forward-looking trends into original cocktail and brand experiences.
Jeffrey got his start in nightclub promotions and restaurant management before following his curiosity about the history, lore, and construction of cocktails to make the jump to spirits and mixology in 2015. In 2018, he hosted the AMA-award-winning show “The Beard Behind The Bar” on Hy-Vee, Inc.’s Helpful Smiles TV, along with its celebrity edition in 2022, bringing his enthusiasm for craft cocktails to uncover ways to incorporate the grocery store chain’s fresh produce and products into unique culinary cocktail creations.
In his role as Reyka Vodka Ambassador, Jeffrey travels the country to educate mixologists and consumers on the vodka made of Iceland, applying his vast culinary knowledge and experience behind the bar to challenge and inspire enthusiasts to discover new ways to enjoy the classic spirit.
