The week in pictures
This had to be the coolest gig ever. German herbal liqueur Jägermeister flew British metal band The Defiled out to a giant iceberg in the Greenland sea to perform a very special, but rather chilly gig. Locals helped ferry the band from the mainland to the iceberg to perform their set, while the crowd consisted mostly of locals from nearby town of Kulusuk. You can watch the video of the performance, organised to promote Jägermeister‘s signature cold shot serve, here.
Dublin Cocktail Fest got off to a roaring start this week as Ireland’s first ever cocktail festival was warmly welcomed by both the trade and consumers. Bars across the city, including 37 Dawson St, 777, Brasserie 66, Drury Buildings, Coppinger Row, Candlelight Bar and Diep Le Shaker, are offering cut-price drinks to those wearing festival wristbands. The festival runs from 13-18 October.
Glenfiddich recently announced an overhaul of its 18 Year Old expression, and now it has treated fans to a sneak peak video looking behind the scenes of the photo shoot for the new design.
David Beckham is continuing his venture into the world of whisky with the release of an advert for his Haig Club whisky. Directed by Guy Ritchie, Welcome will be aired for the first time on Friday 17 October on Sky with an extended 90-second director’s cut available on YouTube.
A year of thrilling cocktail competition heats led to the semi-finals of The Wenneker Swizzle Masters 2014 this week. Held at London’s “worst kept secret” speakeasy, Barts, nine winning recipes from throughout the year were recreated by head mixologist, Vincenzo Sibilia, and put before our expert panel of judges.
Diageo is celebrating after it achieved Investors in Young People (IIYP) accreditation in recognition of the work it does with young people. The company was commended for its commitment to young people and strong focus on creating employment and training opportunities.
The Red Lemon pub in Notting Hill was this month’s venue of choice for not just one, but two spirits masters: The Liqueur Masters and The Speciality Spirits Masters. A vast array of spirits were tried and tested by our esteemed judging panel, but you’ll have to wait until the November issue comes out to find out who achieved the top accolades.
Joshua Cowan was crowned the winner of the UK national final for the Beefeater MIXLDN cocktail competition this week, which tasked bartenders to create a cocktail based on the theme ‘London Inspires You. All national winners will be flown to London in January next year and go head to head to be named Beefeater MIXLDN Global Bartender Champion and win the chance to participate in the Beefeater Global Ambassador Programme, as well as attend two bartender events of their choice, including the likes of Tales of the Cocktail, The Moscow Cocktail Show or Tokyo Bar Show.
Six finalists hailing from the UK travelled to Marrakech, Morocco, for the final of the Ophir Oriental Spiced Gin Marrakech Cocktail Competition this week. But it was Tom Theuremeister from the Lost Angel Bar in Battersea who walked away as the winner. Miran Chauhan of Paradise Palms in Edinburgh and Filippo Previereo of Mr Fogg’s in London were runners up.
Last weekend Funkin joined forces with Benefit cosmetics in Covent Garden to provide an evening filled with cocktails and makeovers. Funkin’s innovation champion Daniel Redman-Hubley was there to create Funkin Strawberry Daiquiris and Funkin Mojitos for visitors, while demonstrating how to use Funkin’s cocktail mixers.
Bourbon lovers were treated to a pop-up Maker’s Mark tasting at Steam & Rye last weekend as part of London Cocktail Week, hosted by Maxxium UK’s Mixxit manager Amanda Humphrey. Attendees were treated to a Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned and given an educational introduction to the brand, as well as an interactive tutorial on how to create a selection of signature Maker’s Mark serves.
