Official Rules for TOTCF’s Fancy a Stiggins’ Cocktail Competition Sponsored by Planteray Rum

Eligibility

Professional Bartenders:  The Competition is open only to individuals who are (a) skilled beverage service specialists who prepare and serve alcoholic and/or non-alcoholic beverages at licensed bars or restaurants, (b) are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States, USA or Canada: (c) are of legal drinking age in their country of residence as of the date of entry, and (d) have a passport valid through Jan 1st, 2026.

Exclusions:  Individuals who are full-time or part-time employees of TOTCF, Sidecar Drinks/Planteray Rum/Maison Ferrand USA, or a distributor at the time of entry, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, children) and household members of those employees, are not eligible to enter.  

 

Stage 1:  Online Entries

How to Enter:  Visit https://talesofthecocktail.org/get-involved/fancy-a-stiggins/ (the “Website”) and follow the instructions on that page. You will be required to submit a cocktail recipe that meets the requirements described below. Together, the recipe, photo/video, and answers in the form constitute your “Entry.” Entries must be received by May 15th, 2025, and there is a limit of one (1) Entry per person.

a.Recipe Requirements: Your recipe must meet the following requirements:

• The recipe must use a minimum of 1oz of Planteray Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple Rum as the base.
• No other rums may be used in the recipe or preparation of other ingredients.
• Recipes must be expressed in milliliters or fluid ounces, divided into relatively customary measurements (0.5 oz., 1 oz., 2 oz., etc.), with dashes and/or drops being the smallest quantities.
• The content of the cocktail must be between 3 oz. and 11 oz. (including dashes and drops).
• You may not use flaming alcohol or flames near alcohol.
• Ingredients must be safe for human consumption and easily replicable.
• All ingredients must be readily available and any compound ingredients (infusions, syrups, etc) must be able to be prepared in 24 hours or less, without the use of specialty equipment (e.g. rotovap).
• If any ingredients in a recipe are not easily sourced or replicated, judges reserve the right to make the closest available substitutions in their sole discretion.
• You must specify a name for your recipe. The name may not include any copyrighted or trademarked material or any retailer’s name, except that you may use the PLANTERAY [brand] or STIGGINS’ FANCY [product] brand in the name.
• Recipes must be an original creation and not have been used in previous media, competitions, or other publications.

b. Photo Requirements:  Your photo must meet the following requirements:

• The photo must be saved in a JPG or PNG file format. 
• The photo cannot be larger than 20 MB. 
• Cannot contain trademarked, copyrighted or intellectual property of third parties.
• Photos must be an original creation and not have been used in previous media, competitions, or other publications.
• Your photo may not: (a) be targeted to people under twenty-one (21) years old; (b) feature anyone who is under twenty-five (25) years old; (c) encourage, condone, promote, or glamorize under-age, excessive, or irresponsible consumption of alcohol products, drunk driving, or any behavior considered to be anti-social, illegal, or immoral or suggest that the consumption of beverage alcohol will lead to social or sexual success; (d) violate anyone else’s rights, including their copyrights, trademark rights, or rights of privacy or publicity; or (e) reflect poorly on TOTCF or Planteray Rum. In addition, your Entry must comply with the Code of Responsible Practices for Beverage Alcohol Advertising and Marketing of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Inc.

c. Video Requirements: Your video must meet the following requirements:

• The video cannot be longer than 90 seconds. For every second over 90 seconds of video, you will lose 2 points from the overall video score.
• A bottle of Planteray Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple Rum should be featured within the video.
• The video can be shot on your smartphone or other device.
• Videos cannot contain trademarked, copyrighted or intellectual property of third-parties.
• Videos must be an original creation and not have been used in previous media, competitions or other publications.
• Your video may not: (a) be targeted to people under twenty-one (21) years old; (b) feature anyone who is under twenty-five (25) years old; (c) encourage, condone, promote, or glamorize under-age, excessive, or irresponsible consumption of alcohol products, drunk driving, or any behavior considered to be anti-social, illegal, or immoral or suggest that the consumption of beverage alcohol will lead to social or sexual success; (d) violate anyone else’s rights, including their copyrights, trademark rights, or rights of privacy or publicity; or (e) reflect poorly on TOTCF, Planteray Rum. In addition, your Entry must comply with the Code of Responsible Practices for Beverage Alcohol Advertising and Marketing of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Inc.

Judging:  Judges will review each entry and score it based on the following criteria. The judges will select up to 10 entries for Finalist Test Kitchen.

a. Online Submissions Judging Criteria: 

• Flavor: 5 points
• Innovation & Creativity of Recipe: 10 points
• Appearance of Cocktail: 10 points
• Bartender Presentation: 10 points
• Memorable Name: 5 points

 

Stage 2: Test Kitchen

Finalist Test Kitchen will take place on May 21, 2025, in New Orleans, LA

Competition Details: During the Finalist Test Kitchen, an independent bartender will make the cocktails by the top 10 finalists based on the recipes provided.

Judging: The cocktails will be judged according to the following criteria: 

Test Kitchen

• Balance: 5 points
• Flavor: 10 points
• Aroma: 5 points
• Character: 10 points

Prizing: The judges will select (2) winners based on the scores. 

• (2) Contestants will win an all-expense paid trip to the Stiggin’s Pineapple Ball in Cognac, France, on June 23, 2025.
• Runner-up finalists will receive non-cash prizes for their participation.

Notification of Semi-Finalists & Winners:  TOTCF will notify all Semi-Finalists and (2) Winners via email by May 23rd, 2025. Each of the (2) Finalists may be required to complete and return a declaration of eligibility, a liability/publicity release, a current W-9, and authorization to conduct a background check. TOTCF reserves the right (in its sole discretion) to disqualify a Finalist if the individual does not sign the necessary forms within five (5) days of the date notification is sent. If a Finalist returns these documents on time and, in TOTCF’s sole discretion, passes the background check, they will be invited to participate in the Stiggin’s Pineapple Ball in Cognac, France, on June 23, 2025.

 

Stage 3: Stiggins’ Ball Trip

Trip to COGNAC, FRANCE: Two (2) Finalists will receive: (a) round-trip coach class airfare for one (1) person from an airport close to the Finalist’s home to Cognac, France; (b) hotel accommodations for four (4) nights; (c) ground transportation in Cognac and Paris, France; (d) travel insurance; and (e) an immersive experience at the Château de Bonbonnet. The approximate retail value of the trip is $8,500. The actual value of the trip will vary depending on various factors, including the date of booking, the point of departure, and the dates of travel. Please see the Prize Details Section below for additional details. Finalists will be responsible for passports, visas if needed, vaccines, luggage, tax, meals, and the cost of other incidental expenses.

 

General Terms

Supplies:  For all stages, participants will be responsible for all expenses that are not explicitly stated as provided by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation in these rules. 

Agreement to Terms and Conditions:  By participating in this Competition, participants indicate their unconditional agreement to these Official Rules, the TOTCF Code of Conduct, and TOTCF’s decisions, which are final and binding. Moreover, by participating, they represent that they are complying with any policies their employer may have regarding participation in competitions of this nature. Participants cannot win a prize unless they comply with all requirements set forth herein. TOTCF reserves the right to change these Official Rules at any time without prior notice. Any changes will be posted on the Website. When claiming this prize, it has no cash value, and if anything arises whereby the finalist is unable to attend, the prize will be forfeited and no recourse will be made to be paid out or travel another time.

Background Check:  TOTCF reserves the right (at any point and in its sole discretion) to disqualify any individual if, based on the results of the background check – or on an individual’s other actions or statements – TOTCF concludes that the individual will not be a good representative for the TOTCF or Planteray Rum brands. Any actions of the competitor outside of accordance with the TOTCF Code of Conduct will result in disqualification from the program. 

Rights to Entries:  By entering, participants irrevocably: (a) grant TOTCF,  Maison Ferrard/Planteray Rum,  and each of their agents, licensees, and assigns (collectively, the “Rights Holders”) the unconditional and non-exclusive right and permission to copyright, reproduce, encode, store, copy, transmit, publish, post, broadcast, display, publicly perform, adapt, modify, create derivative works of, exhibit, and otherwise use their Entry as-is or as-edited in any media throughout the world for any purpose, without limitation, and without additional review, compensation, or approval from the competitor or any other party for five (5) years from the date they submitted the Entry; (b) waive any rights of copyrights, trademark rights, privacy rights, and any other legal or moral rights that may preclude the Rights Holders’ use of the Entry, as outlined above, or require any further permission for the Rights Holders to use the Entry; and (c) agree not to instigate, support, maintain, or authorize any action, claim, or lawsuit against the Rights Holders on the grounds that any use of the Entry, or any derivative works, infringes any of their rights as creator of the Entry, including, without limitation, copyrights, trademark rights, and moral rights.

Publicity:  Except where prohibited, by participating in the Competition, participants agree that the Rights Holders and any media attending events related to the Competition may use their name, likeness, voice, opinions, photographs, videos, recipes, event-related audio-visual footage, biographical information, state of residence, and/or any other record of their participation in the Competition for promotional purposes in any press releases, advertisements, television, radio, film, documentary, internet, social media, or in any other publication or media without further payment or consideration and to license the right to use such intellectual property to others. Participants may be required to sign additional releases regarding publicity.

Prize Details:  Participants are responsible for paying any taxes, including income taxes and any and all other costs and expenses not listed in the Official Rules. Participants may be required to provide a Social Security Number for tax reporting purposes. Any prize details not specified above will be determined by TOTCF, at its sole discretion. The actual value of the trips will vary depending on various factors, including the date of booking, the point of departure, and dates of travel. A prize may not be transferred and must be accepted as awarded. Participants may not request cash or a substitute prize; however, TOTCF reserves the right to substitute a prize (or component thereof) with another prize (or component thereof) of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason, as determined by TOTCF, in its sole discretion. Participants must travel on the dates specified by TOTCF. Once travel documents are issued, travel arrangements cannot be changed. If participants cannot travel on the dates specified by TOTCF, they will not be permitted to arrange alternative dates of grand prize travel, nor seek a substitute prize or cash value in lieu of the grand prize. Participants are responsible for securing passports, visas, and any other documents necessary for international travel. If the Competition is canceled, no prizes may be awarded.

General Conditions:  In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Competition is impaired in any way, TOTCF may, in its sole discretion, either (a) cancel or suspend the Competition to address the impairment and then resume the Competition; or (b) award the prizes according to the criteria set forth above from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. TOTCF reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify and seek damages from any individual who tampers with the operation of the Competition, violates these Official Rules or the TOTCF Code of Conduct, or acts in a disruptive or unsportsmanlike manner. TOTCF’s failure to enforce any term of these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. Proof of sending any communication to TOTCF by mail shall not be deemed proof of receipt of that communication by TOTCF. The Competition is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void in Utah and where prohibited.  Participants agree that, while participating in the contest and in their private lives, they will (a) not commit an offense involving moral turpitude; (b) not engage in activities that may create any public scandal, disrepute, widespread contempt, or public ridicule; (c) not harass, embarrass, offend, insult, or denigrate individuals or groups; (d) not damage the person or property of others; (e) that they will treat all other contestants, judges, and related competition personnel with respect; and (f) that they will drink responsibly.

Release and Limitations of Liability:  By participating in the Competition, participants hereby release and hold harmless TOTCF, Maison Ferrand/Planteray Rum, and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents (the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Competition or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Competition; (b) technical errors; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Competition or the processing of Entries; (f) injury or damage to participants and their property and/or (g) injury or damage they cause to other persons or property. Participants further agree to defend, indemnify, release, and hold the Released Parties harmless from any claims related to their participation, including damage to other persons and property, and from any claims that their use of their Entry (as contemplated in these Rules) violates or infringes upon the rights of any third party. Participants waive the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

Disputes:  All disputes arising out of or related to these rules, the Competition, or any other matter shall be resolved through binding arbitration filed and heard in New Orleans, Louisiana pursuant to American Arbitration Association Rules using a single arbitrator.  Each contestant waives any rights to challenge this forum and venue or the application of Louisiana law.  Should this arbitration agreement be held non-enforceable or in order to enforce an arbitration award, each contestant irrevocably submits and consents to the jurisdiction and venue of the courts located in Orleans Parish, Louisiana and waives any objection that such forum is inconvenient.  All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these Terms and Conditions, participant’s rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of TOTCF in connection with the Competition, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Louisiana, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of Louisiana or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Louisiana.  Each contestant agrees that any claim or dispute related to the Competition shall be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, collective, or representative action or as a named or unnamed member in a class, collective, consolidated, or private attorney general action.

Event Organizer:  The Competition is brought to you by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, ℅ Taylor & Willis CPAs, 3500 N Causeway Blvd, Suite 1145, Metairie, LA 70002.