From day one it was like the first day at Hogwarts Wizardry School, except the knowledge at this school was being served by legends like Dale DeGroff, Anistatia Miller, David Wondrich, Jared Brown, Tony Abou-Gamin, Audrey Saunders and Julie Reiner. Sessions were held on menu creation, molecular mixology, garnishes, glassware, significant cities in history, every type of spirit imaginable and even a couple on the God of bartending, Jerry Thomas. On that first day the Montelione exploded into everything you could possibly imagine to do with drink. The media room was buzzing, the halls were screaming with people, the registration table was mauled and every time a bar personality would arrive the talk would hit you before they came into view. It was a sensory overload and no matter how hard anybody tried, it was impossible to see and do everything that was on offer.  Tastings were especially in abundance at every session no matter what was being discussed, some sessions even got a little more. Kevin “Thirsty Traveller” Brauch and Christine Sismondo opened their talk on the history of drink in Canada with the distribution of fake joints while Charlotte Voissey gave away tea cups on martini stems and old style phone handles to use with a mobile. Some companies kept to the basics like Beefeater’s addition of full bottles into the goody bags. Well done!!
One of the most notable sessions though came at the hands of Jason Crawley, Wayne Collins and Simon Ford. The 3 amigos carried the crowd through key cocktails all along keeping everyone in stitches using their idle banter and inside jokes. Or the fascinating session by historian couple, Anistatia Miller and Jared Brown on the history of Cachaça that set the record straight with Brasil as the first place in the world to produce rum. Apart from the flowing of alcohol, which proved that some Americans do know how to drink, the spirited dinners done in various restaurants throughout the French Quarter proved the importance of food with drink. These popular outings were to experience an amalgamation of chef and mixologist in order to create a three-course meal with the spirit of choice, a definite step beyond degustation. 
Several special celebrations that should be mentioned were things like the re-introduction of the Green Hour for the opening of the country’s first Absinthe Museum, naming Kevin “Thirsty Traveller” Brauch the festival’s first brand ambassador and the re-opening of the Museum of the American Cocktail in it’s new post-Katrina site. Another event that had a great start was the bartender competition though as time drew on the ballroom in New Orleans W hotel was barely at a third of its capacity after the grueling three-hour comp. Then on the last night the Spirit Awards for Tales of the Cocktail was held where Australia was represented in 3 categories; Best Drinks Selection (Der Raum), Best Drinks Brand Representative/Ambassador (Jason Crawley) & Best Cocktail Menu (Bayswater Brasserie & 1806). And if that international acknowledgement wasn’t enough, Melbourne bar 1806 walked away with the award for the “Best Cocktail Menu”, an amazing feat that has really placed Australia in the world cocktail spotlight.  Then as people descended out of Harrah’s Casino, Plymouth Gin’s Simon Ford had organized a traditional New Orleans funeral complete with weeping widows, band and hollering preacher to take the hoards of people to the next party. As guests were handed white handkerchiefs the coffin was brought down the stairs to somber music and placed in the middle of the square, there the preacher laid to rest the Green Apple Martini and pronounced the resurrection of Plymouth Gin.
At that point the band struck up “When the Saints come marching in” and the crowd roared in delight dancing down Canal Place with a police escort towards the Bartender’s Midnight Breakfast. Then at Café Giovanni the crowd of at least 300 had the arduous task of getting through to taste cocktails from the best United States had to offer, all noted, listed and allowed through one at a time. Now packed like sardines in the sweltering heat, the handkerchief was a Godsend and the cocktails perfect. 
Tales of the Cocktail is a definite experience in every possible way from the exotic and culturally decadent location to all the levels of guests in attendance who truly represent every extension of this industry. Over six years it has become the biggest platform for the exchange of information on anything and everything concerning drink that it is essential for any person serious about bars and bartending to attend. And considering the way Ann & Paul Tunnerman organize the scheduling they have assured the need to go year after year, just like a new school only better, old school with a twist. | 
