Allison Widdecombe of Williams & Graham In Woodford Reserve Competition Finals

Allison Widdecombe, one of the rockstar bartenders at Williams & Graham, has made it to the final stage of the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience competition.

Some thirty talented bartenders from across the country have visited the Versailles, Ky distillery earlier this week as part of the competition. That is where the group was narrowed down to just six. Each of the competitors submitted original recipes that are variations on the Manhattan, a drink that traditionally mixes bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters.

Widdecombe's version, called Proven Perfect, combines Woodford reserve with cardamom-infused Amer nouvelle, and oolong tea-infused ruby port. The drink is finished with a teaspoon of Fernet and a lemon twist.

On January 12, the five men finalists and Widdecombe go to New York for another live competition to decide the top drink. They will be making a classic Manhattan as well as their originals to give the panel of judges a 10 minute Manhattan experience.