The week in pictures
Diageo unveiled its 2014 Special Releases, an annual collection of rare single malt Scotch whiskies, to a small crowd of whisky writers. Full details of the expressions will be unveiled on The Spirits Business on Monday, although SB editor Becky Paskin promises they are some of the best Special Releases yet.
Jack Daniel’s master distiller Jeff Arnett was in London this week promoting the Tennessee distillery’s premium range, including Gentleman Jack and Single Barrel. Bartenders at London’s Edition Hotel created a killer Jack Daniel’s punch for the occasion.
This week, Hendrick’s Gin took its weird and wonderful Carnival of Knowledge into the Welsh wilderness for Festival Number 6. With a schedule of intriguing events, including a journey through the history of the Martini and an exploration into the power of smell, the carnival once more invited those of an inquisitive nature to revive their sense of curiosity and sip on Hendrick’s cocktails.
Images of Hollywood heartthrob Jude Law adorned the new airport activations across Asia duty free outlets including Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Law recently starred in a new short film promoting Johnnie Walker Blue Label, called “The Gentleman’s Wager”, where he showed off some pretty spectacular dance moves.
Andrew Loudon, bartender at Satan’s Whiskers in London, was named winner of Maxxium UK’s first Harveys Cobbler Challenge 2014 with his Denmark Street cocktail, an inventive twist on the classic sherry cobbler.
Self-proclaimed whisky buff Paul Rollo has been recruited as the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival’s board of directors after successful completing the organisation’s own whisky school course. Julie Fraser, who works at Glen Moray Distillery in Elgin, has also been recruited to the role of company secretary.
London speakeasy Mr Fogg’s was named Bar of the Year at the 2014 Food and Travel Reader Awards which took place at The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park hotel, where the best in the food, drink and travel industries were recognised. Other bars that were nominated in the category were: 69 Colebrooke Road, Artesian, The Blind Pig, Charlotte’s Bistro and SushiSamba.
In the run-up to London Fashion Week, iconic 80s-themed London bar Maggie’s hosted a “Big Hair” night in partnership with Ciroc vodka and Knightsbridge beauty house MichaelJohn. On arrival, guests were whisked off to have their hair, make-up, and nails done by an expert team of stylists at their various stations and then enjoyed Ciroc cocktails while dancing to 80s tunes.
UK bar group Drake and Morgan rolled out a new menu this week with a serious of launches across its venues. Team SB hot-footed it over to The Fable to sample some of the new cocktails and dishes on offer.
One of the stand-out cocktails of the night was the London’s Burning – a delicious mix of Kamm & Sons, peach bitters, mezcal and an array of spices including cinnamon.
