Amaro Montenegro Crowns U.S. Finalist in the Brand's First-Ever Worldwide Cocktail Competition: The Vero Bartender

Amaro Montenegro, celebrated as the world's best liqueur, today concluded the nationwide search in its first-ever worldwide cocktail competition, The Vero Bartender. The brand announced that bartender Kyle Erkes beat nine other regional finalists in a head-to-head contest that took place in Chicago on October 16, 2018.

Kyle Erkes from Raleigh, North Carolina won with his cocktail named, Bitter Bamboozle, a highly aromatic drink that highlights the fruity and earthy flavors in Amaro Montenegro. The drink was inspired by the 1880s sherry and vermouth cocktail, the Bamboo. The ingredients include: 1 oz. Amaro Montenegro, .75 oz. Bodegas Grant La Garrocha Amontillado Sherry, .5 oz. Pikesville Rye, 1 barspoon of Benedictine and 10 drops Basil-infused oil.

As winner of the U.S. national finals for The Vero Bartender, Kyle Erkes will receive a one-week residency in Italy and advances to the global competition in Bologna, Italy from November 26 to December 1, 2018. Competing in the global competition will be bartenders from Italy, Germany, UK, Australia, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and Albania.

"Since its inception, Amaro Montenegro has been as an irreverent celebration of flavor and discovery," said Rob Cullins, Regional Director of the Americas, Gruppo Montenegro. "With The Vero Bartender competition, we set out to find the most innovative minds mixing drinks around the world the true masters of their craft. Kyle Erkes' winning cocktail evokes the boundary-pushing style our brand is known for, and we are excited to see how he advances in the global competition."

Amaro Montenegro kicked off The Vero Bartender competition in July 2018 to scour the globe for bartenders who are passionate about flavors and not afraid to challenge the expected by putting a twist on a classic cocktail just as the brand's founder Stanislao Cobianchi traveled the world in search of adventure and "sapore vero" (or true flavors) more than 130 years ago.

A panel of judges from the United States Bartenders' Guild reviewed recipe submissions and selected Kyle Erkes and nine other U.S. finalists based on the following criteria: inspiration & originality, taste & balance and the element of surprise created with Amaro Montenegro.

During the weeklong residency in Italy, Kyle Erkes and other finalists from around the world will be immersed in the culture and history that inspired Amaro Montenegro's founder before competing for the ultimate global title of The Vero Bartender.

To learn more about Amaro Montenegro and join the journey to find The Vero Bartender, please visit www.amaromontenegro.comand follow #MakeItWithMonte, #TheVeroBartender on Facebook, Instagram @AmaroMonte and Twitter @AmaroMonte. For more information on the USBG go to usbg.organd follow #USBG on Facebook, Instagram @USBG and Twitter @theUSBG.

ABOUT AMARO MONTENEGRO
Amaro Montenegro, celebrated as the world's best liqueur*, was perfected in 1885 and features the essence of 40 botanicals from around the globe, collected during the travels of explorer and herbalist Stanislao Cobianchi. The signature complex taste is characterized by a pleasing blend of sweet and bitter notes. Traditionally served as a digestif, Amaro Montenegro has since become a favorite of bartender and mixologists for its tremendous versatility in crafting inventive cocktails and adding a flavorful twist to classic drinks. What distinguishes Amaro Montenegro from other herbaceous liqueurs is its balanced bitter-sweet flavor, smooth texture and milder proof making it the difference in the drink. A product of Bologna Italy, Amaro Montenegro's secret recipe remains unchanged as does the boiling, maceration and distillation process that was practiced more than 130 years ago.

*Amaro Montenegro was named 2018 Best Liqueur by the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

ABOUT THE USBG

Founded in 1948, the United States Bartenders' Guild is a non-profit professional society of bartenders and other hospitality professionals uniting the hospitality community to advance professional bartending. The USBG believes that every US bartender achieves greater personal and professional success by connecting to diverse local and national hospitality communities. Through our network of over 60 communities nationwide, the USBG connects members with peer-to-peer learning, expert instruction, community service projects, and skills-based competition.

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SOURCE Amaro Montenegro