Baby, It's Cold Out There: Coldest Climates Forge the Biggest Flavours ($5,300)

To sponsor this seminar, choose one of our Annual Education Underwriting levels and add it to your cart. For more information about the different Annual Education Underwriting levels, click the link or continue to the bottom of the page.

Some spirits are shaped by sunshine, but others are forged in the snow. “Baby, It’s Cold Out There” explores how cold climates create some of the world’s most expressive flavours, and how increasingly extreme growing and ageing environments are shaping the future of spirits. Led by Tristan Stephenson, this session dives into the science of cold-climate agronomy and oak. Rye thrives under stress: harsh winters, poor soils, and dramatic temperature swings. These conditions create grain with higher density and greater aromatic complexity. Cold-grown oak follows the same principle. Slow growth and tight grain structure produce deeper spice, richer aromatics, and a distinctive sweetness during maturation. We’ll hear from Mitch Mahar, R&D Distiller at WhistlePig, on how cold-cellar ageing shapes flavour through slower extraction, reduced angel’s share, and intensified oxidation cycles. Looking ahead, Ben Branson, founder of Sylva, will explore how shifting climate patterns will reshape wood, flavours, and future flavour. As colder colds, hotter hots, and more volatile seasons emerge, the most interesting flavours may come from the most challenging environments. This seminar is about climate, flavour, and where taste is heading. Shaped not despite adversity, but because of it.

Speaker:
Claire Warner

Logistics & Details

Seminars will be hosted at the Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans and will range from 60-90 minutes. Brands will receive logo placement on the TOTC2025 agenda and signage and have the opportunity to have their product served during their sponsored seminar.

Seminar sponsorships are responsible for the underwriting of the spirits served and will be ordered through the Foundation.

Following May 18th, 2026, all confirmed partnerships will incur a 5% late fee (included in total at checkout) and payment is required in full by credit card.

Seminar Sponsorships - Annual Education Underwriting

The new Annual Education Underwriting model invites brands to support the TOTCF Education program year-round through a holistic lens, opening up opportunities beyond sponsoring seminars during the week of Tales of the Cocktail.

To sponsor this seminar, choose one of our Annual Education Underwriting levels and add it to your cart. To sponsor just 1 seminar, we recommend the Builder Level. To sponsor 2+ seminars and receive even more benefits, you can take advantage of our Mentor Level, Innovator Level, or Leader Level opportunities.