Author: Aloha Hayashi

Spiritsman

CITADELLE RESERVE SOLERA GIN 2013

Michael Hepworth   CITADELLE RESERVE SOLERA GIN 2013             FIRST TO USE UNIQUE PROCESS   HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)5/23/14/–I was pleased to get the chance to try out the new release of this Citadelle Gin Especially since it is the first solera aged gin in the world. The French company Cognac Ferrand based […]

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MASSOLINO WINES and THEIR PASSION FOR BAROLO

Michael Hepworth MASSOLINO WINES and THEIR PASSION FOR BAROLO   HOLLYWOOD<(Spirtisman)5/8/14/–The history of this winery dates back to 1896 when Giovanni Massolino founded the estate, and his son Giuseppe founded the first wine cellar which is in the region of Serralunga d’Alba. They have recently been launched in the USA, and the classic Barolo wine […]

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DAMOISEAU RHUM & Aged VSOP from THE ISLAND OF GUADELOUPE

    Michael Hepworth               HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)5/2/14/–Damoiseau Rhum comes from Guadeloupe and I had the chance to try the Virgin Cane Rhum and the VSOP aged Rhum. The French island is not normally known for rhum, and the Virgin Cane version is produced from fresh pressed sugarcane juice and is […]

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140th Kentucky Derby Win, Place and Show A great collection of cocktail winners

Michael Hepworth   HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)5/2/14/– A great collection of cocktails that are perfect for Kentucky Derby celebrations and spring mixes in general! – these cocktails are full of wonderful seasonal flavors with unique twists including blackberry, rhubarb tea with blood orange, whiskey with peach bitters, and lots of mint!             Blackberry […]

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WRATH WINES and THEIR CONNECTION TO ANCIENT ITALY

  Michael Hepworth   WRATH WINES and THEIR CONNECTION TO ANCIENT ITALY   HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)4/22/14/–The Wrath Winery is located in North Monterey County in the area of the Santa Lucia Highlands, or to be more specific in Soledad. Wrath is a relative new company only created in 2007 by winemaker Michael Thomas who took over the […]

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The Museum of the American Cocktail (MOTAC) has joined the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival

  Michael Hepworth   MOTAC Proudly Announces Legacy Partnership with Miami Rum Renaissance Festival           NEW ORLEANS (Spiritsman)4/19/14/– – The Museum of the American Cocktail (MOTAC) has joined the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival (MRRF) as Legacy Partner. MOTAC, a division of the SoFAB Institute, celebrates the American cocktail and develops its […]

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San Francisco World Spirits Competition Celebrates 14 Years, Biggest in History

Michael Hepworth     San Francisco World Spirits Competition Celebrates Biggest Event in 14 Year History Spirited event showcases 1,474 entries from 64 countries SAN FRANCISCO, California,(Spiritsman) 4/3/14/– – The San Francisco World Spirits Competition hosted its 14th annual competition on March 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th at the elegant Hotel Nikko in downtown San Francisco. […]

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RARE BY DRAI’S ADVANCES L.A.’S COCKTAIL CULTURE WITH MASTER MIXOLOGIST CHRIS HEWES AT THE HELM

Michael Hepworth Victor Drai’s New West Hollywood Steakhouse Elevates the Bar & Lounge Experience with Sophisticated Design, DJ, Indoor/Outdoor Seating and the City’s Best Cocktails WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA.(Spiritsman)35/14/– – Feb. 2014 – Victor Drai’s new restaurant, Rare by Drai’s on Sunset Plaza, has quickly set a sexy, sophisticated tone for the new steakhouse by offering not […]

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PORTER & PLOT: EXPOSES THE UNDISCOVERED WORLD OF UNIQUE WINE REGIONS

                              Michael Hepworth   PORTER & PLOT: EXPOSES THE UNDISCOVERED WORLD OF UNIQUE WINE REGIONS THROUGH SMALL-LOT OFFERINGS   New wine brand makes limited production gems with distinctive origins from around the world an accessible luxury for less than $20.    […]

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NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY 2014 Award Winning ORTEGA 120 Cocktails

Michael Hepworth ORTEGA 120 COCKTAILS  120 House Margarita* Montezuma Tequila, Patron Citronge, Triple Sec, 120 Citrus Sour  HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)2/22/14/–You can also order this margarita by the pitcher, accompanied by the “Shut Up Carafe”.  When the pitcher was initially offered, customers kept complaining they couldn’t taste the tequila because Demi Steven’s secret 120 citrus sour House mix […]

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MICHAEL MINA’S PUB 1842 at THE MGM GRAND in LAS VEGAS

Michael Hepworth   LasVegas,NV(Spiritsman)2/17/14/–This upscale version of a gastro pub at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is the Michael Mina version that opened in the summer of 2013 replacing his Seablue restaurant in the same spot. What you have is a spacious and relaxing area that serves gargantuan portions of well prepared food at […]

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Kobe Steakhouse & Lounge, sushi bar, table dining, open grills and LIVE music

Michael Hepworth           By Chef Peter Seal Beach, CA(Hollywood Today)2/3/14/–As we go throughout our day we are surrounded by great music options.  I was meeting with an old friend enjoying some sushi at Kobe steakhouse and lounge located in Seal Beach.   The restaurant is very nice, open, clean and the staff […]

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OXNARD LOOKING TO RAMP UP FOOD OFFERINGS & A HOT BED FOR BOXERS

    Michael Hepworth   Oxnard,CA(Spiritsman)1/29/14/–What is the perception of Oxnard, a seaside town about 70 miles from Los Angeles and on the way to Ventura and Santa Barbara. Those two places are still very fashionable and Oxnard has always struggled a bit as a poor relation, but the gap is shortening and a recent […]

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IL PICCOLO VERDE IN BRENTWOOD VILLAGE TRADITIONAL ITALIAN WITH A TOUCH OF CLASS

                      Michael Hepworth HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)1/23/14/–A new Italian restaurant does not really create a major buzz because there are always a never endless supply ready to take on the challenge, and especially on the West side of Los Angeles. However in the case of Il Piccolo Verde […]

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Golden Globes 2014: V Wine Room Selected for GBK’s Exclusive Pre-Golden Globes 2014 Gift Lounge

Michael Hepworth   Local West Hollywood and Los Angeles’ Only Wine Tasting Room, V Wine Room Selected for GBK’s Exclusive Pre-Golden Globes 2014 Gift Lounge Beverly Hills, CA(Spiritsman)1/14/14/–On January 10th and 11th, V Wine Room will be pouring wines for the GBK Productions exclusive pre-Golden Globes 2014 Gift Lounge held on the rooftop of the […]

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The Calling Wine Company puts out some pretty good wines judging, Sportcaster Knows His Wines

Michael Hepworth ARE YOU GOING CALLING ? SPORTSCASTER KNOWS HIS WINE HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)1/14/14/– The Calling Wine Company puts out some pretty good wines judging by our recent tasting experience of three of their wines, the 2012 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, 2011 Rio Lago Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2009 Alexander Valley Our Tribute. However a bit of history […]

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The Story Behind RE:FIND handcrafted spirits Gin and Vodka

                  Michael Hepworth HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)12/28/13/–The Refind Distillery that produces Refind Gin and Vodka is located in Paso Robles, an area much better known for its wine. Proprietor Alex Villicana has been producing wines for twenty years, but now his attention has been focusing on spirits. The vodka retails […]

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Prosecco from Voga Italia their first sparkling wine

Michael Hepworth                                     HOLLYWOOD(Spiritsman)12/28/13/–Priced at only $13.99 the new Prosecco from Voga Italia comes from the town of Coneglio, and is yet another player in the rapidly expanding portfolio of Prosecco’s to choose from. This particular version is […]

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ASCENDANT SPIRITS RELEASES CAVIAR LIME AMERICAN STAR VODKA

                              Michael Hepworth HOLLYWOOD(Spirtisman)12/19/13/–At one time before prohibition there were about 8,000 small distilleries across the United States. Just a couple of years ago there were no more than a couple of Hundred, but recently there has been an upsurge, although […]

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Villains Tavern warehouse district of Los Angeles, Handcrafted cocktails, impressive Beer menu, special Hamburgers & Live Music

VILLAINS TAVERN UPGRADES ITS FOOD OFFERINGS ALSO NOW OFFERS COCKTAILS ON TAP   Michael Hepworth Los Angeles, CA(Spiritsman)12/12/13/–Most people I know have visited Villains Tavern in the warehouse district of Los Angeles some time or other, but if you have not, make your way down there as it is a different animal as they say. […]

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