Jos. A. Magnus Bourbon Release Party!

Friday, we went to the VIP cocktail reception with Jos. A. Magnus & Co. and Fabio Trabocchi Restaurants at The Rooftop at Casa Luca. Here, Philippe Cousteau Jr., son of Philippe Cousteau and the grandson of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, is flanked by Jos. A. Magnus & Co.’s Thy Parra and Victoria Michael Public Relations’ Victoria Michael. Cousteau's new show, "Caribbean Pirate Treasure," airs Wednesdays on the Travel Channel.

The event toasted the release of their D.C. distillery Jos. A. Magnus & Co.’s Cigar Blend Bourbon Batch No. 4 and included a tasting of the limited-edition bourbon. Guests were treated to hors d’oeuvres, hand-rolled cigars by Cortez and Jos. A. Magnus spirits available to taste neat. Here, SuperStarTickets’ Omar Sider, Star Morrad and PRG Hospitality’s Jeanhee Kim.

Guests also enjoyed three specialty cocktails: Bellagio, with Royal Seal vodka, Rose vermouth, elderflower, lemon and prosecco; Ginger Pimm's, with Vigilant Navy Strength gin, Pimm's, ginger syrup, lemon, cucumber and mint; and Glory Days, with Joseph Magnus bourbon, cherry liquor, rhubarb and Rosemary syrup. Here is a view of the Casa Luca rooftop.

Hargrove’s Jennifer Diamond Haber with Magnus Master Blender Nancy Fraley, creator of the Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend.

After the reception, guests headed downstairs to Casa Luca to take part in a five-course cocktail pairing dinner followed by a dessert course and nightcap on the rooftop. Here, EBA’s Philip Ellis with Jos. A. Magnus’ Nicole Hassoun, holding a bottle of the Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend — a bourbon that can hold its own alongside a fine cigar.

Washingtonian’s Erica Andrew and Susan Farkas flank Fabio Trabocchi Restaurants corporate beverage director Luca Giovannini.