The week in pictures

Some eccentrically-dressed ladies added a touch of regal glamour to the global launch of La Quintinye Vermouth Royal, a collection of three vermouths produced in Cognac.

Guests gathered at London’s beautiful Cafe Royal, based in Piccadilly, where they were treated to an array of delicious cocktails made with La Quintinye Vermouth Royal.

This humorous shot shows flamboyantly-dressed cocktail expert Gary Regan diligently take notes from La Quintinye master distiller Jean Sebastien Robicquet.

On to more serious business, Ivan Menezes, CEO of drinks giant Diageo, spoke to reporters in London about the group’s recently announced half year financial results, which saw a 1.8% sales increase.

President of Cognac Ferrand, Alexandre Gabriel, has a sniff of a bottle of rum from his Plantation rum brand before giving eager bartenders, journalists and industry figures a tutorial.

As Plantation rum’s charming host venue Kench and Bibesy gears up for its evening surge, guests are taken to a secret room downstairs where the tasting continues.

Later that same evening, Cognac Ferrand also celebrated the launch of its very own cocktail book called London Calling at one of East London’s trendiest venues, Trailer Happiness.

Esteemed bartender and consultant Jim Wrigley was mixing the drinks on the evening of the book launch.

London’s The Ritz Club joins in with the mounting excitement for Chinese New Year, which takes place this Saturday (1 February). The Club has been decorated in an “elegant and magical way” including a traditional lucky bamboo floral arrangement that greets guests upon arrival.

It was also announced this week that Knightsbridge boutique hotel The Wellesley had purchased a 70 cl bottle of Coutanseaux 1767, what it claims is the “world’s oldest Cognac”.

This week, Hendrick’s gin unveiled one of its most imaginative travel retail activation to-date, a miniature circus in Singapore Airport featuring invisible trapeze artists, illusionist zoetropes, flying cucumber knives and contortionists.

London’s Archer Street bar launched its very own talent competition, seeking the best voice in Soho, which was discovered to be Rozzy Turner. There are now seven more heats to follow, running on Tuesdays until the final on Tuesday 15th April.

Bombay Sapphire’s World’s Most Imaginative Bartender Matteo Vanzi unveiled his “Red Carpet” cocktail this week exclusively for the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.

A combination of Bombay Sapphire gin, St Germaine elderflower liqueur, Crème de Framboise and fresh lemon, the “Red Carpet” will be available at Virgin’s Clubhouses in Heathrow, Gatwick, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Washington, JFK, Newark and Johannesburg for 12 months.

Krzystof Maruszewski (left), CEO Of Stilnovisti Ltd, and renowned whisky writer Charlie Maclean (right) stand in Whisky Bar 88 in Poznan, Poland, during Maclean’s three-day trip to talk to the Polish press about Scotch whisky.