The week in pictures
The Spirits Business‘ managing editor Becky Paskin shimmied up to quite possibly the most famous man on earth, David Beckham, at this week’s TFWA exhibition in Cannes. Beckham, who we can confirm is as good looking in the flesh, was at the show to promote his Haig Club single grain Scotch whisky brand, which he launched earlier this year in collaboration with Diageo.
Also this week was one of the most exciting dates in The Spirits Business’ diaries – our beach party at TFWA Cannes, which this year was bigger and better than ever before. Flair bartender Nicholas St Jean dazzled guests with his skills once again, while Du Kuyper’s team of bartenders expertly crafted Tequila Corralejo and El Ron Prohibido cocktails. The winners in our Vodka Masters 2014 and Travel Retail Masters 2014 were also announced.
Meanwhile, famed rapper Snoop Dogg, or should we say Snoop Lion, followed in the footsteps of follow hip hop entrepreneur P Diddy by lending his name, face and finances to a spirits brand. However the Snoop has clearly been gripped with Brazilian fever and partnered with cachaca brand Cuca Fresca. Cachaca and juice anyone?
On to a celebrity of the sporting world. Ballantine’s this week announced that its online golf club for whisky fans had officially launched, and boasted famed UK golfer Ian Poulter as its captain. Here he is enjoying a dram with Chinese golfer Liang Wen-Chong at the golf club’s launch at Lake Malaren.
Twelve finalists have been selected to compete in Glenfiddich’s Malt Mastermind competition, where contestants will be tasked to demonstrate their creativity, whisky knowledge and passion for bartending. Jamie Ireland (pictured) has been selected as this year’s wild card entry.
On Tuesday, sb climbed aboard HMS Belfast for a very special dinner with Bernard Hine to celebrate the launch of Domaines Hine Bonneuil 2005 Cognac. After dinner, the group eagerly ventured to the Captain’s deck to sample the new expression led by Mr Hine himself, who looked much at home seated in the Captain’s chair.
On to another cocktail competition. Chivas Brother has announced its fourth annual Beefeater gin cocktail competition, called Beefeater MIXLND where bartenders across the globe will create a cocktail inspired by London.
Beam Suntory has appointed Rebecca Asseline as its global brand ambassador for Courvoisier Cognac, working predominantly across the EMEA region. Asseline, who has been UK brand ambassador for Courvoisier since 2009, said: “Growing up in the south of France, Courvoisier was the cognac that my family enjoyed and now remains at the heart of my career. Being named the brand’s Global Brand Ambassador is a genuine privilege and I am excited to share this cognac’s special story with the world.”
Meanwhile, team SB headed over to Covent Garden for a sneak preview of The Glenlivet’s new no-age-statement whisky, The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve. Matured in a “medley of cases”, the expression also celebrates The Glenlivet’s landmark sales of £1 million cases.
While at the event, SB also sampled an exquisite dram of The Glenlivet Winchester Collection Vintage 1964 during a tasting session lead by The Glenlivet master distiller Alan Winchester. The whisky was first put into casks for maturation in April 1964 by Captain Bill Smith-Grant, the last remaining distilling descendent of founder, George Smith.
