The week in pictures
In support of its exclusive launch into global travel retail, Bacardi Gran Reserva Maestro De Ron is bringing a touch of Cuban spirit to select European airports. Havana-themed bars will feature in Barcelona, Malaga, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Vienna and Antalya with some also offering performances by a Cuban-style band. Tastings of Bacardi Gran Reserva Maestro De Ron on the rocks with a twist of orange zest, or in cocktails such as the classic Bacardi Cuba Libre will be offered to travellers to try.
This week saw the launch of the first advertising campaign for Diageo and David Beckham’s Haig Club Scotch whisky, alongside the launch of the product itself into Singapore travel retail. As part of the launch, travellers through Singapore Changi Airport will have the opportunity to sample a selection of signature Haig Club cocktails. Haig Club advertisements featuring the football legend will also be unveiled to the public for the first time.
British deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (centre) assisted Fever Tree founder David Netherton (left) in launching Fever Tree tonic water in India for the first time. The market is the brand’s 50th worldwide. Clegg formed part of a British tour of India, organised by the UKTI, to promote British brands.
Teams db and SB headed across London to new bar Basement Sate – an inconspicuous venue housed in underground Soho which specialises in serving delicious cocktails alongside strictly sweet treats. The brainchild of Cathleen McGarry, co-owner of the world-renowned Sherry Butt cocktail bar in Paris, Basement Sate is cool and stylish and has truly channelled the emerging cocktail and desserts trend.
Another leg of the SB team was lucky enough to head out to Ibiza for the final of the Gin Mare Mediterranean Inspirations 2014 cocktail competition, where bartender Thanasis Kouziokas of Groove Cocktail Bar, Greece, was crowned victor, winning €4,500 and an ambassadorial role with the brand.
In celebration of the final competition, the Mediterranean Inspirations team headed for dinner in Ibiza Town before continuing the celebrations at renowned Ibiza club, Lio. The finalists and spectators enjoyed music and dancing until the early hours of the morning in true Ibiza style while an endless supply of Gin Mare gin and tonics flowed.
Meanwhile, new premium vodka brand Staritsky & Levitsky, which uses traditional distilling methods, launched in the UK alongside a series of window displays in Nicolas UK Spirited Wine stores nationwide in collaboration with Marshall Amps to celebrate the country’s music industry. The brand has also been named the official vodka of the 2014 Xperia Access Q Awards.
Girl group The Saturdays are currently busy preparing for their Greatest Hits Live Tour and it would seem Crystal Head Vodka is an important part of preparations as Frankie Sandford was spotted carrying a box of the spirit into the studio this week.
Buffalo Trace held the South West final of its cocktails this week, which saw bartender Ben Bravington-Sim of Speakeasy, in Exeter, crowned the winner. Bravington-Sim will now travel to Kentucky in the US to visit the Buffalo Trace distillery.
Bacardi gave fans a sneak peek behind the scenes of its latest #MadeInMoments video shoot. Above is Tom Walker, of The American Bar at The Savoy, London, who won the 2014 Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition, presenting his winning serve to the cameras.
