The week in pictures
The Glenturret Distillery has a new member on its team in the form of this adorable kitten named Peat. The official mouser thankfully won’t have to do much mice hunting, because let’s face it, who would be scared of that face?
Former N Sync popstar Lance Bass hosted Skyy Vodka’s Toast to Marriage event in Atlanta, US, held in partnership with Freedom to Marry – a campaign to win marriage rights for everyone in the US. Guests at the event attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people with linked arms to launch the official #ToastToMarriage campaign. (Photo by Chris McKay/ Getty Images for Skyy Vodka)
A year on since construction began at Kingsbarns Distillery, William Wemyss paid a visit to join workers for the “topping out” ceremony by finishing the roof. Marking the milestone occasion with a dram were new distillery manager Peter Horoyd, distillery founder Douglas Clement who will also become visitor centre manager, and director at the main site contractor Colorado Ian Bownes.
Maggie’s Club enclosure at The Queen’s Club hosted a post-play retro party last weekend to help set the mood for the final of The Aegan Tennis Championship last Sunday. Guests were able to unleash their competitive sides on the ping pong table and 80s arcade games before sipping on some bespoke Tanqueray No. 10 cocktails.
Stuart Hudson of Forgotten Hospitality (right) stepped behind The Balvenie bar at Taste of London this week to give visitors a flavour of Speyside. Also exhibiting at the show this week (18-22 June) are Highland Park, Pinkster Gin and Beluga Vodka among a host of famous restaurants, chefs and producers. SB spotted Michel Roux Jr feeding a throng of hungry visitors at the Le Gavroche stand, Raymond Blanc charming Champagne producers, Massimo Bottura teaching the crowds about Italian cuisine, and Rene Redzepi declaring his love for fermentation and bacteria, a subject very close to our geeky hearts too.
This week sb headed to The Folly for the latest Wenneker Swizzle Masters round. Our panel of judges enjoyed sipping the vast array of Rum Summer Punch cocktails, featuring Botran 15YO, which provided refreshing relief from the City’s heat.
To celebrate World Gin Day last weekend, Hendrick’s Gin visited the Scottish Juniper Festival in Edinburgh’s Summerhall to toast the day with a suitable Hendrick’s and tonic.
Having already released a throng of wacky TV commercials as part of its on going Whatever’s Comfortable campaign, this week Southern Comfort released its latest advert, Young Gun, which premiered in the US on Wednesday and is set to be shown in the UK for the first time next week.
Revered London bar Mr Fogg’s held a Regata-themed Italian party sponsored by Campari this week, serving a selection of thirst quenching Campari cocktails and aperitivo style canapés, constituting of all of the finest flavours of the region.
Reyka, Iceland’s first vodka, is celebrating the holiday in the UK with summer solstice kits which have been placed in top bars to encourage bartenders to create innovative cocktails for the longest day of the year.
The Spirits Business was invited along to the unveiling of Sailor Jerry’s new on-trade campaign calling for Bartender Appreciation Day and an online competition searching for the Nation’s Favourite Bartender. After a delicious, meat-filled feast at East London’s Meat Mission, we were escorted in beautiful vintage Cadillacs to an exclusive gig …
The brilliant Sailor Jerry Presents party featured (somewhat sweaty) special appearances from Fat White Family, Theo Verney and Shopping.
This week also saw the launch of Boteco Brasil Soho – a place to watch the World Cup and enjoy a authentic and generous culinary and cultural experience of Brazil at the same time. The event was hosted by Boteco Brasil founders Constantin Bjerke (second from right – media entrepreneur and crane.tv founder) and Hamish Jenkinson (second from left – former director of The Old Vic Tunnels and executive assistant to Kevin Spacey)
