The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey Celebrates Veterans With Cocktail Competition

by Hannah Kanik
December 2, 2021

The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey, named after the famed 69th Infantry Regiment, is putting together a recipe book featuring cocktails submitted by amateur cocktail mixers who served in the US military.

The best submission will win a free trip to New York City for the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Since 1851, the 69th Infantry Regiment has been the lead unit in that event.

“From the brand’s introduction in 2019, an underlying mission of Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey has been the recognition of and support for the active duty, reserve, national guard and veterans of the United States armed forces,” Scott Reid, chief marketing officer for The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey, said in a prepared statement. “The whiskey is produced in conjunction with the 69th Infantry Regiment Historical Trust and a portion of the sale of each bottle sold benefits the trust as well as philanthropic activities on behalf of the Regiment’s veterans and families.”

The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey (image via The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey)

Cocktail recipes submitted should include Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey as an ingredient. The recipes will be sampled by a panel of judges, and the winning recipes will be included in the Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey Book of Cocktails, which will be published in 2022.

The military veteran mixologist submitting the best cocktail will win a trip for two to New York City for the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day parade, including airfare, lodging for three nights, ground transportation and a meal and entertainment allowance.

The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey Cocktail Competition is open to veterans of the United States armed forces who are amateur mixologists. Professional bartenders are not eligible for the prize due to legal restrictions.

“Given the military background of the veterans and the fact that a key ingredient is Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey, we anticipate some spirited entries – pun intended – along the lines of the regiment’s motto: Gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked,” Reid said.

The Fighting 69th Irish Whiskey is triple distilled in copper pot stills and cask aged in once-used bourbon and sherry barrels on Ireland’s southern coast. Reid noted that it is medium bodied and bright and lively on the palate with a smooth and complex finish.