Tales of the Cocktail® New Orleans 2016

It's been adored and then scorned, one time ubiquitous and then scarce. It's started wars and revolutions, trends and backlashes. It's grabbed more times during a shift though rarely the recommended spirit. It may very well be responsible for the current-day popularity of cocktails, yet the punching bag of that same cocktail community. And somehow, like a cut Rocky in the final round, she always bounces back. 

Why is it that vodka, the category that's cool to hate, remains one of the world's top selling spirits? Is it time vodka is finally granted her amnesty? 

We gather together a panel of some of the world's leading voices in the category to explore a variety of ways vodka deserves to be re-visited. Together, they will present a tasting of vodkas from varying bases to discuss if the notion of vodka being 'tasteless and odorless' is truly accurate. They will explore a variety of current day production techniques that top vodka producers employ and taste never-before shared products that illustrate the unique steps to becoming a vodka. They will look at some of the iconic cocktails that helped launch the spirit to fame, and explore where the category is heading to pose the ultimate questions: Is it time to finally, truly bury the vodka hatchet?