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Wine Enthusiast Honors Charbay’s Karakasevic & Rock Town’s Lewis

May 7, 2013 – Wine Enthusiast Magazine has named its annual “Top 40 Tastemakers Under 40” – honoring rising young Americans in the world of wine, spirits, and beer. Two whisky makers made the list, Marko Karakasevic of California’s Charbay Winery & Distillery, and Andy Lewis of Rock Town Distillery in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Karakasevic (profiled in WhiskyCast Episode 179)  is a 13th-generation distiller specializing in unusual whiskies made from fully-hopped and stout beers at his family’s distillery in St. Helena, California. Lewis has won awards for his handmade small-batch vodka, and has produced Rock Town’s Arkansas Young Bourbon and Arkansas Hickory Smoked Whiskey

Also named to Wine Enthusiast’s list were Manhattan Cocktail Classic founder Lesley Townsend Duval, who previously ran wine and spirits education classes at New York City’s Astor Center, and veteran New York City bartender Jason Littrell, former president of the U.S. Bartenders’ Guild New York Chapter and co-creator of the infamous “Pickleback” cocktail (whisky and pickle juice).

The complete list of honorees is in the May 2013 issue of Wine Enthusiast.

Links: Wine Enthusiast | Charbay | Rock Town Distillery | Manhattan Cocktail Classic