The week in pictures
Legendary London bar The Artesian at the Langham Hotel launched its new cocktail menu based on the theme”Unfolding and Exploring”. Drinks, such as the Digidiva above, allow guests to explore unusual ingredients throuh new experiences. The Digidiva, comprised of Albolut Elyx, Sherry, Cypress, Aqua di Cedro and seasonal botanicals, is designed to change in flavour as it is drunk.
More than 200 guests attended Suntory Whisky’s event to celebrate the Japanese star festival, Tanabata, on Aqua Kyoto roof terrace. With musical entertainment from DJ Koichi Sakai, guests were treated to tipples including Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve, Hakushu Summer Twist and Yamazaki Orange Blossom highballs.
Hundreds of Manchester dwellers descended on Spinningfields last weekend to enjoy The Aperol Spritz Social on The Lawns where they enjoyed sipping Aperol Spritz cocktails and lounging in deck chairs.
Following the warm reception of Boulangerie François in London last year, Grey Goose Vodka is now heading to Scotland with the “world’s most intimate martini bar” in the back of an artisanal French bakery camionnette delivery van.
One of London’s best-known celebrity haunts, Mahiki headed to Henley Royal Regatta last weekend to host The Mahiki Coconut VIP event, which was visited by a smattering of celebrities including Made In Chelsea star Ollie Locke, socialite Victoria Hervey, pop star Thomas Parker from boyband The Wanted and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Lettice Rowbotham. Those lucky enough to attend kept cool with the famous Mahiki Treasure chest cocktail and Mahiki Lic popsicles.
This week team SB headed to Drake & Morgan’s most recently launched venue, The Fable, for The Irish Whiskey Masters and The World Whiskey Masters, where a panel of expert judges had the envious task of judging an array of whiskies from all over the globe.
There were certainly an array of variants for the judges to get through. To find out the results of the competitions, take a look at The Spirits Business magazine when it is published in August.
Whisky and adventure fans gathered at London’s National History Museum this week to see the new Black Grouse ambassadors and famed explorers Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Olly Hicks, Kenton Cool and Ben Fogle talk about the highs and lows of their expeditions.
Meanwhile, SB‘s Amy Hopkins headed to Scotland to attend the official unveiling of the Ballantine’s Golf Club, which is to be captained by world-famous golfer Ian Poulter, who was introduced by the CEO of Chivas Brothers Laurent Lacassagne (centre), sports presenter Di Dougherty (left) and Ballantine’s global brand director Peter Moore (right).
Ian Poulter then chatted to Di Dougherty about his involvement with Ballantine’s and the highs and lows of his career, before a short documentary featuring his defining sporting moment was aired.
After the launch of Ballantine’s Gold Club, some guests were taken on a tour of the Speyside Cooperage, where some 40% of barrels are created or reconditioned for the world’s Scotch whisky brands, including Ballantine’s.
Finally, after seeing its barrels being created, SB headed to the Glenburgie Distillery to see how the dominant single malt in the Ballantine’s blend is made.
Guests from all areas of the spirits industry gathered for First Drinks’ 2014 Market Report and the unveiling of the new William Grant & Sons UK identity. With the conference out the way, the evening was spent mingling, enjoying a delicious array of canapés and an even larger array of cocktails.
