RAZORS REJOICE! FLOR DE CAÑA RUM PAPA DOBLE 2008 BEARD-OFF CHAMPION CROWNED
Posted: January 9th, 2009 under Flor de Cana.
Free to Shave Following Beard Growing Charity Contest
NEW YORK, NY- January 2009 – Not since the days of Abe Lincoln has New York seen such an impressive display of facial foliage, as Flor de Caña rum wrapped up the second annual Papa Doble Beard-Off Competition. Cocktail aficionados from the most prestigious establishments in Gotham competed in the facial hair-growing competition for charity, displaying a bounty of beards at the unforgettable final judging held on December 30th at New York City’s Death & Co.
Growing facial hair since August, an animated bunch of bartenders, bar owners and spirits professionals from Death & Co. Little Branch, Milk & Honey, Southern Wine and Spirits and PDT commenced the competition with a clean face, straight razor shave at Freeman’s Sporting Club. They then had almost five months to grow the best (or worst) beard possible. Event organizer Brian Miller says, “The idea and inspiration behind the Beard-Off was born out of a combination of camaraderie, male machismo and sheer laziness. This has been an inspiring and itchy experience for all of us.”
Allen Katz of Southern Wines and Spirits was awarded the Beard-Off Champion title in an unforgettable and “hairy” evening. Coordinated by Beard-Off Commissioner Ty Baker, eight of New York’s most talented cocktail enthusiasts competed in humorous categories including “beard etiquette” and “touchability” and enjoyed signature Flor de Caña rum cocktails created for and inspired by the Beard-Off, including the Reverse Milk Punch.
Beard-Off judges included spirits industry heavyweights Gary Regan, David Wondrich and Julie Reiner, who found the “beard absorption” category especially enjoyable to judge. Eliminated contestants, who found the process of growing a beard too grueling, made donations to Flor de Caña’s charity of choice – The American Nicaraguan Foundation, which raises money to support the neediest sectors in Nicaragua in the areas of health care, nutrition, education and sustainable development.
Generous donations were also made on the night of the event, amounting to an overall collection of $1,200.
Winning the championship title was an unforgettable experience for Katz, “I’ve always dreamt of growing a beard and when presented with this opportunity amongst this outstanding group of gentlemen and bartenders, I was proud to say yes.” He says, “The Beard-Off championship has made the last four and a half months of being curiously stared at on the streets, at airports and by family, all worth it. I cherish my title.”
Julie Blodgett, brand manager for Flor de Caña was excited to align the rum with the Beard-Off, “Flor de Caña is rum with gusto and gravitas. It felt only right that Nicaragua’s national drink should be at the center of the evening’s follicle fun and fundraising.”
About Flor de Caña® Rum
Celebrating over 115 years of rum production, family-owned Flor de Caña is the most-awarded rum in the world. Flor de Caña premium and super premium rums are the only rums in the world that are 100% aged or “slow-aged,” guaranteeing each age stated on the bottle is the actual age of the rum. Flor de Caña slow-aged rums are never blended with younger vintages, which ensures the highest-quality and consistency. Flor de Caña rums are distilled and handcrafted from estate-grown sugar cane at Flor de Caña’s fully self-sustaining facility in Nicaragua. The only rum produced in Nicaragua and the most popular in all of Central America, Flor de Caña offers a diverse selection of aged products, including 4 year old White, Gold and Limon; 5 year old; 7 year old; 12 year old; and 18 year old. They may be enjoyed neat, on the rocks or in a variety of mixed cocktails. Flor de Caña is distributed in the U.S. by Skyy Spirits LLC.
# # #
Contact: pr@skyy.com
