The week in pictures
Glenmorangie head of whisky creation Dr Bill Lumsden led a tasting dinner at Berry Bros. & Rudd this week to mark the UK launch of Glenmorangie Pride 1978, the limited edition described as the LVMH-owned distillery’s “rarest” to-date. The 34-year-old Scotch whisky, finished in French Premier Grand Cru claret casks, comes with a unique print by artist Idris Khan.
Sharing the limelight with the whisky was this one-off artwork by Idris Khan, inspired by the rings barrels left in the dust at the Glenmorangie distillery. The artist took 2,500 photographs of chalk sketches before laying them on top of one another to form the multi-layered piece. If you look closely, you can make out “1978” among the chalk circles.
The seasonal torrential rain and subsequent flooding couldn’t keep the crowds away from the annual Pig & Punch closing party at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans on Sunday. The event was hosted by The Bon Vivants in Washington Square Park, who once again partnered with the New Orleans KIPP Charter Schools to donate a day of volunteer work with over 100 bartenders from around the country, as well as all the proceeds from the sale of T-shirts at the event itself. To date, the event series has raised over US$80,000 and has coordinated approximately 3500 volunteer hours in charter schools.
Celebrity chef Valentine Warner co-hosted a dinner at New Toms – owned by Tom Conran, founder of Chamucos Tequila this week. The chef managed to pry the Tequila from Conran’s hands and persuaded guests to drink what he claims is his favourite tipple, Campari and Pink Grapefruit cocktails, for the first two hours of the evening.
Stolichnaya Vodka has joined forces with artisan ice cream makers, Gelupo, to create a bespoke Stoli Lemonade Sorbet. Using a converted Citroen H van, the brand will be touring London until 14 August, offering passers by a complimentary fresh Stoli Lemonade and Gelupo Stoli Lemonade sorbet.
Ladies enjoyed a night of pampering at London nightclub Disco, where they were given the opportunity of browsing the current Stella & Dot jewellery and accessories line and receiving complimentary make-overs from the one-stop-shop Benefit parlour, all with a Ciroc vodka cocktail in hand.
This week Sean “Diddy” Combs, formerly known as Puff Daddy and P Diddy, made a very cryptic announcement on his Instagram account, posting a series of images and a promotional video for the next Ciroc vodka flavour, Ciroc Pineapple. However, there was no telling when or where the new expression would be released, but if we were you, we’d keep a close eye on Diddy’s snaps for the time being.
The Aperol Spritz Social made its debut appearance at London’s Lovebox festival in Victoria Park last weekend, with various performances by artists from East London School of Arts &Music (ELAM) alongside acts such as DJs Craig Charles, The Reflex and Fort Romeau. With the mercury nudging 30oC, guests welcomed refreshment from Aperol’s signature serve – The Aperol Spritz.
London speakeasy Mr Fogg’s threw a Spanish themed soiree to celebrate their annual Pamplona Festival where guests celebrated the night away with an array of Sherry cocktails mixed by “master matadors” coupled with an assortment of Spanish tapas.
Hine Cognac has awarded its 2014 Royal College of Art MA Painting Prize to artist Roy Immanuel for his oil on canvas piece titled, Rock in a Hard Place, which he said was inspired by music. Immanuel will visit Hine’s headquarters in Jarnac, France, this coming autumn when his picture will be hung alongside paintings of previous winners, James Viscardi, Mathis Gasser and Lian Zang.
Hendrick’s Gin’s travelling Carnival of Knowledge journeyed to Pylewell Park in Hampshire last weekend, providing a selection of “delightful Hendrick’s libations” to quench guests’ thirst during the heat wave.
Glencairn Crystal has teamed up with two of Glasgow’s best-known whisky bars, the Bon Accord and the Lismore, to raise funds for children at Yorkhill Hospital. Each bar has received a donation of 50 Glencairn Crystal limited edition Home Coming Whisky Glasses, which will be sold to patrons of the bar.
The Cotswalds Distillery, founded by Daniel Szor, officially opened this week, the result of an investment worth more than £4 million. Pictured above is head distillery Alex Davies stood proudly in front of the new 500 litre Holstein gin still. It is hoped the distillery will eventually produce 150,000 bottles of whisky and 100,000 bottles of gin, plus brandy and various other white spirits per year.
