Ming River Baijiu Cocktails With Bite Contest

Official Rules

 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  MAKING A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE CHANCES OF WINNING.  THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS VALID ONLY IN THE FIFTY (50) UNITED STATES AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (D.C.), AND IS OPEN ONLY TO QUALIFIED PERSONS (AS DEFINED IN THE RULES BELOW) WHO ARE TWENTY-ONE (21) YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AS OF THE DATE OF ENTRY AND ARE NOT HOLDERS OF A RETAIL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE IN THE UNITED STATES.  VOID ELSEWHERE AND WHEREVER PROHIBITED.  BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS CONTEST, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND THE DECISIONS OF SPONSOR AND ADMINISTRATOR.  DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE CONTEST IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND FALL WITHIN THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AS SET FORTH BELOW.

 

Contest Name:  Ming River Baijiu Cocktails With Bite Contest (the “Contest”).

 

Contest Dates: The Contest consists of three (3) rounds; whereas each round will further narrow eligible submissions based on the procedures outlined below. The initial contest registration and photo/video/recipe submission period (“Round 1”) begins at 12:00:00 am Eastern Time (ET) on 12/15/2024 and ends at 11:59:59 pm ET on 1/21/2025 (the “Registration Period”).  The second contest period solely for Sponsor-selected semi-finalists to post their submissions to Instagram (“Round 2”) begins at 12:00:00 am ET on 2/3/2025 and ends at 11:59:59 pm ET on 2/7/2025.  The final in-person contest solely for Sponsor-selected finalists (“Round 3”) will occur on 3/19/2025 to be held in San Francisco, CA. Void outside the (50) U.S. and D.C., and wherever prohibited or restricted by law.

 

Eligibility – Who May Enter:  Contest is open only to legal residents of, and who are located within, the fifty (50) United States or D.C., who are age twenty-one (21) or older as of date of entry, are currently employed as a member of the hospitality industry (i.e. Bar, Hotel, Lounge, Restaurant, Tavern, etc.), do not have or hold an interest in any alcoholic beverage retail license in the United States, and have a valid U.S. driver’s license or government-issued photo ID, except the following persons who are not eligible to enter, participate, or win:

(a)   Employees, officers, and directors of Sazerac Company, Inc. (“Sponsor”), Million Dollar Media (the “Contest Administrator”), and each of the foregoing’s respective franchisees, owners, employees, contractors, parents, affiliated companies, subsidiaries, distributors, retailers (specifically, those having or holding an interest in any alcoholic beverage retail license), printers, advertising and promotion agencies, any and all other companies associated with the design or execution of this Contest, or any employees, officers, directors, members, shareholders or agents of any alcohol-beverage retailers, distributors, wholesalers or manufacturers (collectively, “Released Parties”), and the members of the immediate families or households, whether or not related, of any of the above. “Immediate family members” includes, for purposes of this Contest, parents (including in-laws), grandparents, siblings (including step-siblings), children (including step-children), grandchildren (including step grandchildren) and each of their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside.

 

NOTE: To be eligible to advance to Round 3 of the Contest, contestant must be an active holder of an Instagram account.  If you do not have the Instagram application, you may download it through the application store on your mobile device. The Instagram application is free, and Instagram’s Terms of Use apply. For details, visit http://instagram.com/legal/terms/. Meta and Instagram are not a Sponsor or in any way affiliated with this Contest.  If you submit an entry during Round 2 (as outlined below) using a mobile device on a wireless service provider’s network (as opposed to a Wi-Fi network), your carrier’s text and data rates will apply. You should consult your wireless service provider’s pricing plan for details. You agree to incur any and all charges demanded by your wireless carrier.

 

How to Enter – Online Registration: To enter, find the registration link from a contest related printed or digital invite, other online communication or press release, or directly visit www.CocktailsWithBite.com during the “Registration Period” and follow the on-screen registration instructions.  Each entrant must fully complete the online registration page with all required information including his/her name, valid email address, phone number (including area code), date of birth, state of residence, website or Instagram link to place of employment, job role, own personal non-private Instagram account handle, and their own signature cocktail submission which must include all of the following: a typed full recipe no longer than (300) characters, and, an original photo (option to include a video, 20-seconds or less) that tells the story of your original cocktail submission (see additional guidelines below).  After having read and agreed to these Official Rules and agreeing to receive offers and updates via email from Sponsor, click the submit button to submit your online entry.

 

Each Contestant must adhere to the following information about their signature cocktail submission:

 

NOTE: no purchase of any kind is required to enter, participate, or win, and making a purchase will not increase your chances of winning.  All Round 1 entries must be fully complete for all required information and must be received by 11:59:59pm ET on 1/21/2025 to be eligible.  Entrants must submit all required information for a total of one entry submission.  Maximum of one entry per person and per valid email address during the entire Registration Period. 

 

Any incomplete or ineligible entries, or any entry submitted with an invalid or false email address, phone number or other incorrect information will be disqualified.  Released Parties are not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, illegible, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, damaged, or for entries submitted in a manner that is not expressly allowed under these rules, or for any entry not submitted or received due to any technical error or failure, unauthorized human intervention, inaccurate capture or mis-entry of any required information, or the failure to capture any such information for any reason including programming or technical errors, or effects of hackers or failure of any electronic equipment, computer or cellular transmissions and/or network connections; all of which will be disqualified.

 

Entrants may opt out of email notifications at any time, without affecting their entry, by following provided opt-out instructions.  By participating and submitting an entry, contestant agrees that Sponsor and participating parties are authorized to contact entrant via email, mail, phone or any other form of media to make contestant aware of information pertinent to the Contest, and to distribute information regarding the Sponsor(s) featured products, special events or promotional offers, or coupons. Contestants may opt-out of any further email communication at any time by simply replying REMOVE to any email message, or following the provided opt-out instructions.

 

Each contestant must submit an entry on his/her own behalf.  Any entry submitted on behalf of another individual or using another person’s email address or name, or providing any false email addresses or information, will be disqualified and ineligible to claim any prize.  Any attempt by any contestant to obtain more than the stated number of entries allowed by using same, multiple/different emails, identities, or any other methods void that contestant's entries and that contestant may be disqualified.  No mechanically reproduced or automated entries permitted.  Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification and all such entries will be deemed void. 

 

In the event of a dispute as to any entry, registration or submission, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register, and associated with the entry will be deemed to be the registrant and s/he must be eligible according to these Official Rules. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address.  Proof of being the authorized account holder may be required.

 

By registering to enter Contest, you affirm that you have read and accepted these Official Contest Rules.  All entries received become the property of the Sponsor and will not be returned.  All contestants agree to be bound by and abide by the official rules of the Contest.

 

General Signature Cocktail Submission Requirements:

(a)   Each recipe, photo, and video (optional to submit) must be submitted in a format as accepted by the Contest website;

(b)   Must be the entrant’s own original and unique creation and not previously submitted in the Contest;

(c)    Any entry that is not properly submitted or received for any reason, including any technical difficulties, upload failures; failures to save or properly store the entry and/or design submission; busy signals, efforts of hackers; or any lost or disconnected Internet connections, will be disqualified. 

 

Additional Submission Entry Requirements:  Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion, to disqualify any entry for any reason that it considers to not be appropriate for the Contest.  Signature cocktail recipe, photo, and video submission restrictions include, but are not limited to, the following requirements: 

·       Submission must be the contestant’s own original creation;

·       May not be, or ever have been, submitted in any competition or contest of any kind;

·       May not be submitted by any individual under 21 years of age;

·       May not depict an image of any individual under the age of 21, or that appears to be under the age of 21;

·       May not use any name, likeness, or any other identifying element, in whole or in part, of any person, living or dead, without permission;

·       May not be subject to any third-party agreement or require payment or incurrence of any sums to obtain further permissions of any person or entity as a result of its use or exploitation of the idea or rights therein or portions, or modified versions or derivative works thereof;

·       Except as relates to the Sponsor or approved partners, not include trademarks or copyrighted material not owned by contestant, or material that is used without permission (including but not limited to company names, works of art, or information published on any media) or that otherwise infringes or violates the rights of any third party (including but not limited to, copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, logos, contract and licensing rights, rights of publicity or privacy, moral rights (i.e., “droit morale”), or any other intellectual property rights);

·       Not include any unauthorized copy, text or plagiarism of any kind;

·       Not feature, refer to, or mention any companies or brands in competition with Sponsor;

·       Not be considered harmful to minors in any way;

·       Not contain profanity, inappropriate, indecent, sexually explicit, pornographic, or obscene content or language (which shall be determined by Sponsor, in its sole and absolute discretion);

·       Not contain any political or politically themed or motivated messages or statements;

·       Not defame, slander, libel, misrepresent, or contain disparaging remarks or any other content that could adversely affect the name, reputation, or goodwill of Sponsor or any other individuals and/or entities affiliated or associated with Sponsor, the Contest, or any prizes, the determination of which shall remain in the sole discretion of Sponsor;

·       Not describe, depict or include content that may be considered unlawful, harmful, threatening, violent, abusive, harassing, tortuous, defamatory, vulgar, libelous, invasive of another’s privacy, hateful, or racially, religiously, ethnically or otherwise objectionable in any manner as solely determined by Sponsor;

·       Not depict over-consumption or irresponsible consumption;

·       Must comply with the DISCUS Code of Responsible Practices

 

Representation and Release of Rights to Signature Cocktail Submission:  By submitting an entry, each contestant represents that s/he has sole and exclusive ownership and proprietary rights of any content submitted; has full permission and rights to publish and release the content; and agrees that the content becomes the sole and exclusive property of Sponsor, and Sponsor may publish, display, promote, or utilize content (including recipe, photo, and/or video) in any manner of its choosing in relation to the promotion or advertising of the Contest or Sponsor.  Entry into the Contest and upload of any content, constitutes permission for the Sponsor and its designees to use that contestant’s content submission, photo, name, city and state of residence and/or likeness for purposes of advertising and trade in any and all media now or hereafter known worldwide in perpetuity without limitation or further compensation, notification or permission, unless prohibited by law.  Submissions will not be acknowledged or returned by Sponsor.

 

Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual (and his or her entry) who tampers or attempts to tamper with or abuse the entry process or the Contest website in any way or who is otherwise in violation of these Official Rules, as determined by Sponsor or the Contest judges appointed by Sponsor in their sole discretion.  Any questions regarding the number of entries submitted, eligible nominee or the authorized account holder who submitted the nomination shall be determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. ANY ATTEMPT BY ANY PERSON TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY CONTEST WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY AND SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

 

Winner Selection & Notification Process:

 

All of the following will apply to winners of each contest round: 1) Winner will be required to complete and return, within 2-days of date of receipt, a prize acceptance form, including an affidavit of eligibility and a liability/publicity release (publicity release where permitted) and a W-9 form (for prize values greater than $600);  2) Winner may be required to present a copy of a valid social security card and a valid driver’s license as a condition of participating or receiving any prize;  and 3) Winner will be issued a 1099 form reflecting the value of the award and is responsible for paying all applicable taxes (including, but not limited to all local, state and federal taxes) on all prizes awarded over $600 in value.  Failure to collect or properly claim any prize in accordance with these rules will result in forfeiture of the prize.  If forfeited for any reason, Winner will not receive any other prize substitution or compensation, and the prize will remain the property of Sponsor and will not be awarded, except as provided herein.

 

Selection of Round 1 Entries – Determination of Twenty (20) Semi-Finalist Qualifiers: Following the close of the Registration Period, on or about 1/22/2025, Sponsor shall review, select and designate a maximum of twenty (20) potential semi-finalist qualifiers from among all eligible entries received as of the date and time of the close of the Round 1 Registration Period that best adhere to the Round 1 submission guidelines as described above (recipe, creativity, story behind the submission, and overall adherence to the theme).  If eligible entries are less than the scheduled number of available Semi-Finalist awards available, then associated prize award(s) shall not be awarded.

 

Round 1 Semi-Finalist Qualifier (“Semi-Finalist”) Notification: Each potential Semi-Finalist will be notified initially by phone and/or email beginning on or about 1/22/2025.  If the Administrator is unsuccessful in its attempt to reach and speak directly with a selected potential Semi-Finalist by phone within 48-hours of the initial notification attempt to the phone number or email address associated with that contestant’s entry, then that contestant may be disqualified and an alternate potential contestant may be selected from among the remaining eligible entries received and notified as per the procedures outlined above (time permitting).  Note: phone messages will not be left during the winner notification process.

 

During notification, each selected potential Semi-Finalist must confirm their eligibility, compliance with these official rules, and accept the terms of participating in the Instagram contest (Round 2).  Each potential Semi-Finalist will then receive official notification via email delivery.  If any selected Semi-Finalist does not meet the eligibility requirements, or accept the prize, or elects to decline the prize, s/he will be disqualified and, at Sponsor’s discretion and time permitting, an alternate Semi-Finalist will be selected from among all remaining eligible contestants and notified as per the procedures outlined above (time permitting).  Any disqualified contestant will not receive any alternate prize substitution or compensation.  Decisions of the Sponsor and/or Administrator in the selection and determination of the Semi-Finalists and all matters relating to this Contest are final and binding.

 

Selection and Judging of Round 2 Entries – Determination of Four (4) Finalist Qualifiers: Each confirmed Semi-Finalist will advance to Round 2 of the Contest.  To participate in Round 2 of the Contest, each Semi-Finalist will be required to post a photo or video of their original cocktail submission to their own non-private Instagram account captioned with the description, full recipe, and tag @mingriverbaijiu with hashtags #MingRiver, #Baijiu, #CocktailsWithBite, and #Contest.  Round 2 of the Contest is open only to Sponsor-designated Semi-Finalists, and Semi-Finalists’ Instagram posts must be available on their own public Instagram account from February 3 – 7, 2025.

 

Following the close of the Round 2 contest period, on or about 2/8/2025, an independent panel of judges as solely determined and appointed by Sponsor shall review, select and designate a maximum of four (4) potential finalist qualifiers from among all designated Semi-Finalists’ entries as of the date and time of the close of the Round 2 contest period (see judging criteria below).  If eligible Semi-Finalist Instagram submissions are less than the scheduled number of available Finalist awards available, then associated prize award(s) shall not be awarded.

 

A maximum total of four (4) Finalists will be determined by a Sponsor-appointed independent panel of judges pursuant to the following requirements, and general criteria:

 

Two (2) Judges’ Favorites:

 

Two (2) People’s Favorites:

 

Semi-Finalists are not permitted to use fake, false, or fraudulent Instagram accounts, or entice other Instagram users with monetary or other gainful tactics, or fraudulent methods to increase likes or other engagement, or the appearance of increased engagement, to their Round 2 Instagram contest post.  Comments on a post from the contestant or contestant’s alternate Instagram accounts do not count toward overall engagement.  Semi-Finalist contestants who are found to have violated this provision may be disqualified and ineligible to claim any prize or advance further in the Contest.  Use of any automated system to gain or increase likes to an Instagram post in the Contest is prohibited and will result in disqualification and all such entries will be deemed void.

 

Following the end of the Round 2 Instagram submission period, all Round 2 Semi-Finalists must screenshot their total Instagram engagement from their submitted post and email the unaltered screenshot to Administrator or Sponsor no later than 12:00:00 pm ET on 2/10/2025.  Any Round 2 Semi-Finalist that does not submit their screenshot by this deadline will not be eligible for selection as a potential Finalist to advance to Round 3 of the Contest (Administrator and/or Sponsor contact email will be provided to all Round 2 Semi-Finalists during the Semi-Finalist confirmation process).

 

Round 2 Finalist Qualifier (“Finalist”) Notification: Each potential Finalist will be notified initially by phone and/or email beginning on or about 2/11/2025.  If the Administrator is unsuccessful in its attempt to reach and speak directly with a selected potential Finalist by phone within 24-hours of the initial notification attempt to the phone number or email address associated with that contestant’s entry, then that contestant may be disqualified and an alternate potential contestant may be selected from among the remaining eligible entries received and notified as per the procedures outlined above (time permitting).  Note: phone messages will not be left during the winner notification process.

 

During notification, each selected potential Finalist must confirm their eligibility, compliance with these official rules, and accept the terms of participating in in-person final competition (Round 3), including their ability to travel to, and participate in, the Ming River Cocktails With Bite competition final event scheduled to be held in San Francisco, CA, on March 19, 2025 at Mister Jiu’s Moongate Lounge with travel taking place March 18 – 20, 2025.  Each potential Semi-Finalist will then receive official notification via email delivery.  If any selected Finalist does not meet the eligibility requirements, or accept the prize, or elects to decline the prize, s/he will be disqualified and, at Sponsor’s discretion and time permitting, an alternate Finalist will be selected from among all remaining eligible Semi-Finalists and notified as per the procedures outlined above (time permitting).  Any disqualified Semi-Finalist will not receive any alternate prize substitution or compensation.  Decisions of the Sponsor and/or Administrator in the selection and determination of the Finalists and all matters relating to this Contest are final and binding.

 

In addition, Sponsor reserves the right to require potential Finalists to submit to a confidential criminal background check to confirm eligibility as a condition of participation, to help ensure that the use of any such person in advertising or publicity will not bring the Sponsor into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule or reflect unfavorably on the Contest or Sponsor, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.  Any participant may be disqualified in Sponsor’s sole discretion if: (a) any required documents are not completed and returned within the required time period; (b) if any background check is deemed unsatisfactory in Sponsor’s sole discretion; (c) he/she fails to comply with any of the terms of these Official Rules, or (d) if any prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable.  In the event of disqualification of a Semi-Finalist, assuming there is sufficient time available for Finalist notification and verification, at Sponsor’s sole discretion the prize may be awarded to an alternate Finalist selected from among the remaining eligible entries per the procedures outlined above, pending verification of eligibility.

 

Selection and Judging of Round 3 Entries – Determination of One (1) Judges’ Favorite, One (1) People’s Favorite, and a minimum of Two (2) Runners Up: Each confirmed Finalist will advance to Round 3 of the Contest.  To participate in Round 3 of the Contest, each Finalist will be required to travel to San Francisco, CA to participate in the in-person competition, arriving on 3/18/2025, competing in the in-person final on 3/19/2025 and departing on 3/20/2025 (see travel details below in the Prize Awards section).  Prior to traveling to the in-person final, each confirmed Round 3 Finalist must submit on or before 3/9/2025 their batched cocktail recipe, new mystery ingredient cocktail recipe, and ingredients list to Sponsor and/or Administrator (mystery ingredient and designated submission email address will be provided as part of the Round 3 Finalist confirmation process).

 

During the Round 3 competition scheduled to be held on 3/19/2025, all Finalists will be required to make and present their new original mystery ingredient cocktail during a 5-minute presentation to an independent panel of judges as solely determined and appointed by Sponsor who shall review, select and designate a maximum of one (1) “Judges’ Favorite” grand prize winner (see judging criteria below).  Finalists will also be required to create a batched version of their cocktail for all invited ticketed attendees of the Round 3 competition event for which attendees will vote on their favorite cocktail (one vote per invited attendee); whereas a maximum of one (1) Finalist shall be designated as the “People’s Favorite” grand prize winner based on having received the most votes.  All Finalists will be eligible to win both the Judge’s Favorite and People’s Favorite grand prize awards.  Each Finalist that does not win a grand prize award, will be designated as a Runner Up prize award winner (see prize award descriptions below).

 

The Judges’ Favorite grand prize winner will be determined by a Sponsor-appointed independent panel of judges pursuant to the following requirements, and general criteria:

 

In the case of a tie in the judges’ scoring to determine the Judges’ Favorite grand prize award winner, or the number of attendee votes received to determine the People’s Choice grand prize winner, Sponsor will conduct a random drawing between the tied Finalists to determine the winner of the designated prize award.

 

No purchase of any alcoholic product is required.  Homemade ingredients and personal items and glassware may be utilized, provided you can supply the quantity needed to meet the contest service requirements.  Sponsor and its agents will provide all other necessary products to complete the production of each drink.  If eligible Finalists to compete in Round 3 of the Contest are less than the scheduled number of prize awards, then associated prize award(s) will not be awarded.

 

Prize Awards & Descriptions:

 

Round 1 Semi-Finalist Prize Award (maximum 20 winners):  Each entrant designated as a Semi-Finalist shall be awarded one (1) Ming River Baijiu prize pack with an approximate retail value (“ARV”) of $15.  Prize pack items are solely determined and designated by Sponsor, subject to availability.

 

NOTE:  No alcoholic beverage is part of any prize award.  All merchandise prize items are awarded ‘as is’ without warranty, express or implied.  Prize winners must accept delivery of prize in the method as solely determined and designated by Sponsor.  Prize shall be shipped only to the designated winner residential address as submitted during initial online registration and/or as provided during winner notification, via the carrier as determined and designated by Sponsor (i.e. UPS, USPS or other Sponsor designated carrier), or as otherwise specified by Sponsor.  Allow eight (8) to twelve (12) weeks for prize delivery. 

 

Once shipped, prize shall be considered as awarded and delivered, and Sponsor shall not be responsible for actual receipt of delivery by winner.  Sponsor shall not be responsible for any lost, late, undelivered, misdirected, damaged or stolen delivery; or any incorrect delivery address provided by winner during registration or prize claim.  In the event of any delivery issues, including undelivered, misdirected, lost or stolen deliveries, Sponsor shall have no responsibility to replace the prize award, and prize award shall not be substituted by Sponsor with any alternate prize award or compensation.  Winner shall look solely to designated shipper/carrier for any lost, damaged, stolen or mis-delivered packages and not to Sponsor for any delivery issues.

 

Round 2 Finalist Prize Award (maximum 4 winners):  Following the determination of a maximum of four (4) Finalists, each entrant designated as a Finalist shall be invited to compete in the 2025 Ming River Baijiu Cocktails With Bite in-person competition scheduled to be held on March 19, 2025 in San Francisco, CA and shall receive a 3-day, 2-night trip to compete in the final competition.  Each Finalist award has an ARV not to exceed $1,850 (actual ARV based upon final travel accommodations, dependent on dates of travel and winner’s home location) and shall include:

·       Coach-class roundtrip airfare for Finalist from the nearest major metro airport to the Finalist’s home to San Francisco, CA (SFO or OAK airport) departing on March 18, 2025, and returning March 19, 2025. Airline, class of service, and departure/arrival airports as solely determined and designated by Sponsor and subject to availability.

o   NOTE: If Finalist resides within 250-miles of the greater San Francisco, CA metro area, Sponsor reserves the right to provide a $500 gift card toward ground transportation in lieu of airfare.

·       Two (2)-nights standard double-occupancy hotel in the greater San Francisco, CA metro area checking in on March 18, 2025, and checking out on March 19, 2025. Hotel as solely determined and designated by Sponsor based upon availability;

·       One (1) $500 Sponsor-designated gift card toward ground transportation and incidentals. Gift card subject to the terms and conditions, including any expiration, of the issuing gift card provider policy.

 

NOTE: each Finalist award winner must confirm they are able, and willing, to attend and participate in the final competition event and accept their travel itinerary as solely determined and designated by Administrator no later than March 3, 2025.

 

The following shall apply to each Finalist prize award winner:  Each Finalist must be at least 21 years of age and will be required to execute and return a liability/publicity release prior to prize award.  No other costs or expenses are included with prize award, including any associated transportation, parking costs, accommodations, or incidental expenses.  Admittance to the Ming River Baijiu Cocktails With Bite Competition (the “Competition”) is subject to the terms and conditions and policy and procedures and rules of conduct of the Competition and hosting venue, including admittance policy (and any COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination requirements).  Each winner agrees to comply with all applicable Sponsor, venue, and Competition organizer (collectively “Event Parties”) regulations in connection with the prize.  Event Parties reserve the right to remove or deny entry to any winner who does not comply with requirement polices, engage in a disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other person at the Competition.

 

Event date and times are determined in the sole discretion of the Event Parties, as applicable, and may be subject to change. The terms and conditions of the Event Parties will govern in the event of postponement, rescheduling, cancellation, or attendance is restricted or prohibited due to weather, pandemic, an Act of God, an act of terrorism, civil disturbance, work stoppage or any other reason. Event Parties will not be responsible for any Competition date delay, rescheduling, postponement or cancellation due to weather, pandemic, Acts of God, acts of terrorism, civil disturbances, work stoppage or any other event that may cause the cancellation or postponement of the Competition.  No substitute prize award or compensation shall be provided by Sponsor in the event of any date delay, postponement, rescheduling or cancellation for any reason. Should the Competition be cancelled or access to the venue be restricted, you will be notified as soon as reasonably possible. In the event of cancellation, Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to select and designate two (2) grand prize winners and two (2) runners up from the four (4) Finalists based on judging scores determined during the Semi-Finalist Judging Period. 

 

Finalists shall be solely responsible for their behavior while in attendance at the Competition, and must follow the instructions of Event Parties, policy of the venue and directions from any associated staff or security.  If any Semi-Finalist violates the standards of the Competition or Event Parties, behaves in an inappropriate, irresponsible or offensive manner, or is deemed by staff or security to have violated any policy of the Competition or Event Parties including any related to COVID-19, or to be a security threat in any manner, the Semi-Finalist shall be ejected from the Competition and venue, and shall immediately forfeit the remainder of the prize award and ability to participate in the Competition.

 

All ground transportation including airport and hotel transfers, parking, meals, gratuities, checked baggage fees, airline seat assignment fees, hotel resort fees, incidental expenses, applicable taxes (including, but not limited to all local, state and federal taxes) and any other expenses not specified herein as being included in the prize award are the sole responsibility of the Finalist.  Sponsor is not responsible for late, lost, damaged or stolen luggage.  It is recommended that Finalist obtain sufficient personal insurance prior to departure.  Each Finalist hereby release Sponsor from any duty to provide, check, or verify any and all necessary ID’s, passports, visas and tourist cards, birth certificates, vaccination certificates, and any other travel requirements (“Personal Documents”).  Sponsor shall not have any responsibility for the replacement of lost or stolen Personal Documents or tickets, coupons, vouchers, receipts or other documents pertaining to the prize (“Travel Documents”) once the Travel Documents have been provided to each Finalist. 

 

Sponsor is not responsible for any travel delays, flight delays or cancellations or travel difficulty related to prize award, redemption or use.  If travel delays or difficulty prevent arrival in time for any and all elements of trip or prize award, Sponsor is not responsible for awarding any compensation in lieu thereof.  Any changes to completed travel arrangements, once booked, are the sole responsibility of the Finalist, and are solely at the Finalist’s expense.  Actual value of the trip will depend on point of departure, destination and any airfare fluctuations.  If actual value of prize is lower than the stated ARV of the prize award when it is procured and fulfilled, then the difference will not be awarded to the Finalist.  Each Finalist is solely responsible for all costs incurred to and from the nearest major airport to the Finalist’s home as designated by Sponsor as the prize originates and terminates at such departure point unless otherwise agreed to by Sponsor in writing. 

 

Each Finalist must accept delivery of prize in the method as solely determined and designated by Sponsor.  Finalist prize confirmation and Competition attendance and instructions shall be emailed or shipped only to the designated Finalist email address given at the time of registration or to the residential address as submitted during initial online registration and/or as provided during winner notification, via the carrier as determined and designated by Sponsor (i.e. UPS, USPS or other Sponsor designated carrier), or as otherwise specified by Sponsor.

 

Once emailed or shipped, Finalist prize shall be considered as awarded and delivered, and Sponsor shall not be responsible for actual receipt of delivery by Finalist.  Sponsor shall not be responsible for any lost, late, undelivered, misdirected, damaged or stolen delivery; or any incorrect delivery address provided by Finalist during registration or prize claim.  In the event of any delivery issues, including undelivered, misdirected, lost or stolen deliveries, Sponsor shall have no responsibility to replace the prize award, and prize award shall not be substituted by Sponsor with any alternate prize award or compensation.  Finalist shall look solely to designated shipper/carrier for any lost, damaged, stolen or mis-delivered packages and not to Sponsor for any delivery issues.

 

Round 3 In-Person Competition (maximum 2 grand prize winners and 3 runners up winners):  Following the conclusion of the Round 3 in-person Competition, a maximum of two (2) grand prize winners and three (3) runners up prize winners will be determined according to the criteria described above.  If one (1) Finalist is designated as both the Judge’s Favorite grand prize winner and the People’s Favorite grand prize winner, that Finalist shall be awarded both available grand prize awards and all remaining Finalists shall be awarded a runner up prize award; otherwise, a maximum of two (2) Finalists shall be designated as grand prize winners, and the remaining Finalists designated as runners-up prize winners.

 

Each Finalist designated as the Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice grand prize award winner shall receive: $1,000.00 awarded in the form of a prize check made payable to the winner in the amount of $1,000.00.  ARV of each grand prize award: $1,000.00.

 

Each Finalist designated as a Runner Up prize award winner shall receive one (1) $250.00 gift card from the Sponsor-designated gift card provider.  Gift card subject to the terms and conditions of the gift card provider policy, including any expiration.

 

Prize awards will be mailed/shipped to winner’s residential address or email address as provided during registration, or as otherwise determined and designated by Sponsor.  Allow approximately 8 – 12 weeks for processing and delivery.

 

General Prize Conditions:  No alcoholic beverage is part of any prize award.  Prize winners must accept delivery of prize in the method as solely determined and designated by Sponsor.  All other costs and expenses related to prize acceptance, delivery, redemption or use not specified herein as being provided are the sole responsibility of winner.  All income, federal, state and local taxes are the winner’s sole responsibility.  All prize awards are non-transferable and no cash redemption or prize substitution allowed, except at Sponsor’s sole discretion or as provided herein.  Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize with one of comparable or greater value, at its sole discretion.  All prizes are awarded as is, without any warranty, express or implied, by Sponsor.  Failure to collect or properly claim prize in accordance with these rules will result in forfeiture of the prize.  If forfeited for any reason, participant will not receive any other prize substitution or compensation, and the prize will remain the property of Sponsor and will not be awarded, except as provided herein.  All properly claimed prizes will be awarded.  Any unclaimed prizes will not be awarded. Maximum total ARV of all available prizes is $10,450.

 

Additional Rules & Restrictions:  By participating, entrants agree to abide by and be bound by the Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor and Administrator, which shall be final in all matters relating to this Contest.  In the event an entrant wins a prize, and is later found to be in violation of these rules he/she will be required to forfeit the prize or to reimburse Sponsor for the stated value of the prize if such violation is discovered after winner has used the prize. Participation in Contest constitutes permission for the Sponsor and its designees to use entrants’ names, cities and states of residence and/or likenesses for purposes of advertising and trade in any and all media now or hereafter known worldwide on perpetuity without limitation or further compensation, notification or permission, unless prohibited by law.  False, fraudulent or deceptive entries or acts shall render entrants ineligible for any prize.

 

By participating, entrants agree to hold all Released Parties harmless from any claims, losses, actions, or damages of any kind, whether actual, incidental or consequential, for injury (including but not limited to death), damages, losses or expenses arising out of or relating to entrant’s participation in this Contest, or the acceptance, possession or use/misuse of any prize, or participation in prize-related activities (including but not limited to travel or activity related thereto), and to assume all liability therefor. 

 

Participants are restricted to use of ordinary and typical computer equipment, mobile phone equipment, Internet access and cellular networks. Sponsor disclaims all liability for the inability of a participant to complete or continue an entry due to equipment malfunction, busy lines, inadvertent disconnections, acts beyond the Sponsor’s control, or otherwise. The Sponsor disclaims any liability for entries not received due to technical difficulties or transmission errors. The Sponsor disclaims all liability for any delays, mis-delivery, loss, or failure in the delivery of any item sent by mail, courier, express, electronic transmission, or other delivery method.  Released Parties are not responsible for mechanical, technical, electronic, communications, telephone, computer, hardware or software errors, malfunctions or failures of any kind, including: failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed transmission of online entries, traffic congestion on telephone lines, the Internet or at any website or lost or unavailable network connections which may limit an online entrant's ability to participate in the Contest, and any injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer or mobile phone related to or resulting from participating in or downloading any information necessary to participate in the Contest.  Released Parties are not responsible for any other errors of any kind, whether computer, technical, typographical, printing, human or otherwise, relating to or in connection with the Contest, including, without limitations, errors which may occur in connection with the printing or advertising of this Contest, administration or execution of the Contest, the cancellation of the competition, the processing of entries or in the announcement of the prizes or prize winners.  Sponsor, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest website or competition process.

 

Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, modify, reschedule or terminate any part of the Contest for any reason including, but not limited to acts of God, pandemics, force majeure, government regulatory action or ruling,  fraud, misconduct, or if any technical failures destroy or threaten the integrity of the Contest, in the opinion of the Sponsor/Administrator, or if a computer virus, bug, or other technical problem corrupts the administration, security, or proper conduct of the Contest as determined by Sponsor/Administrator, in their sole discretion. In the event of early termination of the Contest, Sponsor reserves the right to determine prize winners from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received as of the time/date of such termination.

 

In addition, by submitting any Entry, each Entrant transfers any and all of his/her right, title and interest in and to such Entry and content submission, including but not limited to any and all copyrights, trademark rights, "moral rights" and any and all other proprietary rights that may exist, throughout the world, to Sponsor and expressly waives any rights s/he may have in such submission and/or content.  Each Entrant agrees Sponsor is the exclusive owner of all rights in and to such Entry, and/or content, and will have the worldwide, perpetual right to copy, display, reproduce, exhibit, edit, modify, assign, license, register for copyright or trademark, distribute, sell or otherwise use and exploit the entry, content submission, and all elements and/or derivative works thereof, in whole or in part, alone or with other materials, in any media now known or hereafter created or devised, for any reason whatsoever.

 

IN CASE OF DISPUTES:  By participating, each entrant agrees that (1) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with this Contest, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and any judicial proceeding shall take place in a federal or state court within the State of New Jersey; (2) any and all claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Contest, and in no event will entrant be entitled to received attorneys' fees or other legal costs; and (3) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental, and consequential damages, and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of entrant and Sponsor in connection with this Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of New Jersey or any other jurisdiction), that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New Jersey.

 

Odds:  Odds of being selected as a Round 1 Semi-Finalist are dependent upon the total number of eligible entries received as of the end date and time of the Registration Period, the skill of the entrant in the creation of their signature cocktail submission, and the decision of Sponsor.  Odds of being selected as a Round 2 Finalist are dependent upon the total number of participating Semi-Finalists, the skill of each Semi-Finalist in the creation of their signature cocktail submission, and the decisions of judges.  Odds of being selected as a Round 3 Grand Prize or Runner Up winner are dependent upon the total number of participating Finalists, the skill of each Finalist in the creation and presentation of their signature cocktail submission, the decisions of judges, and votes received from Competition attendees.

 

Official Rules & Winner List:  For a copy of these Official Rules, or the names of prize winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to be received by 5/15/2025 to: Ming River Baijiu Cocktails With Bite Contest, c/o Million Dollar Media, P.O. Box 278, Woodbridge, NJ 07095.  PLEASE SPECIFY which you are requesting, official rules or winner list.

 

Sponsor:  This Contest is sponsored by Sazerac Company, Inc., 10101 Linn Station Rd., Louisville, KY, 40223.

 

Contest Administrator:  The Contest is administered by Million Dollar Media, P.O. Box 278, Woodbridge, NJ 07095.