The week in pictures
Diageo World Class announced its four UK finalists this week; Nathan O’Neill from Milk and Honey, London; Massimo Zitti of Cane and Grain, Manchester, Richard Tring of Red Light Bar, Bristol; and James Fowler of The Larder House, Bournemouth.
The four finalists boarded a British Airways A380 Superjumbo jet destined for Hong Kong, where they were tasked with creating delicious cocktails while soaring 35,000 feet in the air. There to with the finalists luck and launch the grand finale of the competition was actress, Anna Friel.
Ghostbusters’ actor and Crystal Head Vodka founder, Dan Aykroyd, joined some of Canada’s best-loved talent on the red carpet at The Shangri-La Hotel in Toronto, for a glamorous evening overflowing with delicious Crytal Head cocktails.
Scotch whisky brand Glenfiddich hosted its two-day annual whisky festival, the Whisky Stramash, over the bank holiday weekend, which was attended by a 3,000 strong crowd.
More than 50 of the world’s finest gin brands are gearing up for a brand new gin festival next week. Due to run from 6-8 June, Junipalooza will see distillers from all over the world assemble under one roof in Shoreditch’s disused Factory 7.
Married couple David Boyd-Armstrong and Fiona Boyd-Armstrong, owners of Northern Ireland’s first craft distillery, officially launched their first small-batch product, Shortcross Gin, this week. The husband and wife duo founded Rademon Estate Distillery at their home estate where the gin is made in 2012.
Chris Gillan, former RAF pilot turned spirits entrepreneur has launched Heroes Vodka, and pledged 20% of all sales profits to military charities. The military veteran is now on a mission to raise £100,000 through crowdfunding and equity investors in order to further his business, produce Heroes Gin and Heroes Whisky, and help those affected by war.
The Estonian Bartenders Association held a National Cocktail Competition this week. In first place was Krista Meri, second place was awarded to Kristo Tomingas and third place was given to Brita Kikas.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited The Famous Grouse Experience at Glenturret distillery this week (Thursday) to officially open the site’s refurbished visitors’ centre and learn more about distillation.
Learning about distillation was thirsty work for the young couple, also known as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn in Scotland, who followed their tour and ribbon-cutting duties with a swift dram or two.
To celebrate our latest magazines going to press, team SB and our thirsty colleagues over at the drinks business hopped over to hot (and extremely high) London bar and restaurant Sushisamba – a Latin American and Asian fusion that sits on the 39th floor of the Heron Tower. While sipping delicious cocktails (the Lychee Cooler and Plum Smoked Negroni proved firm favourites) and indulging in a delicious platter of sushi, we looked over our shoulders to see this monkey gazing at us from the roof terrace.
With stunning views of the London skyline everywhere you turned in Sushisamba, one of the best could be enjoyed from the toilets … a true loo with a view.
This week also saw the inaugural year of the Spiritual Bar in Vinexpo Hong Kong. Launched through a collaboration between The Spirits Business and the Hong Kong Bartenders’ Association, the bar aimed to put the vibrant world of spirits under the spotlight, allowing brand owners to showcase their products through a variety of cocktails.
