Hanna Lee Communications Unveils The First-Ever "Show Me the Proof!" High Proof Cognac Cocktail Competition

NEW YORK, May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hanna Lee Communications, Inc., an award-winning agency specialized in spirits, food, wine, and lifestyle PR and event management, today announced that it will host the first annual "Show Me the Proof!" High Proof Cognac Cocktail Competition for professional bartenders and mixologists.  The competition, the first of its kind, will celebrate Louis Royer "Force 53" VSOP Fine Champagne Cognac, which is the highest proof Cognac in the U.S. market today and demonstrate its versatility in a wide range of cocktails that are suitable for any time of year.  Bartenders are encouraged to submit up to two recipes that represent their favorite seasons.  The cocktail development guidelines and submission forms are listed on www.shakestir.com/louisroyer.  Recipes may be submitted from May 2, 2012 through August 31, 2012.

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A total of six finalists will compete in New York City on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 and demonstrate their cocktails before a judging panel consisting of Paul Pacult, the noted spirits critic and writer; Dale DeGroff ("King Cocktail"), the legendary master mixologist and reviver of the craft cocktail; Jack Robertiello, a widely-respected spirits and cocktail writer; Carrie Keagan, TV show host and cocktail enthusiast; and, Louis Royer Cognac's Master Selector Jerome Royer, a fifth-generation family member.

The competition's Grand Prize includes a one-week, educational trip to France to visit Louis Royer Cognac's cellars in Jarnac and experience the 15th Fete du Cognac Festival, as well as two nights in Paris to enjoy the sophisticated city's take on cocktail culture.

"High proof spirits are definitely on bartenders' radars these days," said Hanna Lee, president and founder, Hanna Lee Communications.  "We're seeing other spirits, like rum, whisky and gin, offer higher proof expressions, so this trend is gaining traction.  Everyone has a favorite season and this competition is all about showcasing the mixing versatility of Louis Royer 'Force 53' VSOP Cognac in cocktails throughout the year."

The competition's partners include ShakeStir and INSIDE F&B.  For more information on Louis Royer Cognac, please visit www.louis-royer.com.

About Hanna Lee Communications, Inc.

Headquartered in New York City, Hanna Lee Communications, Inc. is an award-winning agency specialized in spirits, wine, food, travel and lifestyle PR and event management.  The agency only represents products and companies that it is passionate about.  This outlook drives its well-acknowledged excellence.  The agency has created a number of successful PR case studies that have earned recognition from prestigious national and international organizations that include the PRWeek Awards, SABRE Awards, PRSA-NY's Big Apple Awards, The Communicator Awards and The Bulldog Awards.  Client experience includes Santa Teresa Rum, Louis Royer Cognac, Marie Brizard Liqueurs, Manhattan Cocktail Classic, Leblon Cachaca, Sobieski Vodka, Terra Andina Chilean Wines, G7 Portuguese Wine Consortium, Bortolomiol Prosecco, Gourmet Latino Festival, Mionetto Prosecco and others.  For more information, please visit www.hannaleecommunications.com and follow us on Twitter @hannaleenyc.

Media Contacts:
Hanna Lee or Jen Neugeboren
Hanna Lee Communications, Inc.
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SOURCE Hanna Lee Communications, Inc.