The week in pictures
Some of the gin industry’s most revered members gathered at the London Transport Museum on Tuesday for the inaugural Ginposium seminar day, organised by The Gin Guild and Heriot-Wyatt University’s International Centre of Brewing and Distilling (ICBD). Delivering a passionate speech on the future prospectives for gin, was Charles Maxwell, director and master distiller of Thames Distillers.
Rounding off the day’s seminars at The Ginposium was entrepreneur, Tristan Stephenson, author of The Curious Bartender: The Artistry and Alchemy of Mixing the Perfect Cocktail and co-founder of Fluid Movement, who explored the topic of gin and its importance cocktails, with particular emphasis on the iconic Martini.
Ginposium speakers, Nicholas Cook, Director General of The Gin Guild; Christopher Hayman, Grand Rectifier of The Gin Guild and Chairman of Haymans Distillers; David Smith, SummerFruitCup and freelance journalist; Professor Paul Hughes from Heriot-Watt University’s Institute of Brewing and Distilling and Mark Gamble of Union Distillers raised a glass of gin and tonic in celebration of the day’s success.
Congratulations are in order for James Fowler of The Larder House in Bournemouth who was crowned the winner of the World Class UK Bartender of the Year 2014, which took place on an airborne British Airways A380 Superjumbo jet before touching down at London Heathrow.
Managing editor of The Spirits Business, Becky Paskin, was a real team player last weekend flying to Scotland to take part in the Ardbeg Swamp Football Championship in celebration of Ardbeg Day on 31 May.
In between mud-slinging and dirty tackling, participants enjoyed tasting drams of Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Uigedail, plus a tasting of the new Ardbeg Auriverdes by the brand’s head of whisky, Dr Bill Lumsden.
London’s Hotel Café Royal is celebrating the start of Oscar Wilde’s renowned play, The Importance of Being Earnest, at London’s Harold Pinter theatre on 27 June, Hotel Café Royal has designed an exclusive afternoon tea that will be held in the iconic Oscar Wilde Bar. Inspired by the play’s characters and history, executive chef Andrew Turner and executive pastry chef Andrew Blas have designed a unique and playful menu that will be available from 16 June.
Bacardi chose a “theatrical” promotion as the very first activation for the global relaunch of Aberfeldy Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Located in terminal 3 of London Heathrow, a whisky sommelier will be stationed at the activation to tell the story of Aberfeldy, supported by various assets to depict the heritage of the distillery, founded in 1898. The travel retail range comprises the exclusive Aberfeldy 18YO, plus the 12YO and 21YO.
SB‘s news and web editor Amy Hopkins was lucky enough to be invited to attend the Glamour Women of the Year awards after party, where William Grant & Sons’ Reyka vodka was an official sponsor. With a host of celebrities spotted and delicious cocktails enjoyed, it was a truly glamorous night.
Held at an aptly stylish marquee location in Mayfair, SB rubbed shoulders with a host of world-famous celebrities, including Sharon Osborne, The Saturday’s, Little Mix, Jameela Jamil (pictured) and Caroline Flack (pictured behind). Unfortunately, Ryan Reynolds, who presented Helen Mirren with the Glamour Icon Award, was nowhere to be seen.
The ever charismatic and funny Graham Norton took on the role as host for the evening, and stuck around at the after party to enjoy a cocktail or two.
Guests enjoyed Disaronno Sours, Tia Maria espresso Martinis, and Reyka Collins cocktails.
Premium liqueur brand Domaine de Canton’s brand ambassador Crystal Fanale flew over from New York to host a masterclass with Tawa Tanye, Oscar Wilde bar manager at London’s Hotel Café Royal.
