The week in pictures
An army of famous faces attended the opening night of the latest venture from The Inception Group, Beaver Lodge – a dedicated Bulleit Bourbon Bar. The seventh venue from the firm – including Bunga Bunga, Mr Fogg’s and 80s-themed venue Maggies – stars included James Blunt, Denise van Outen, Kirsty Gallagher and Ollie Locke.
The UK Bartenders Guild proudly took to Facebook this week to announce the appointment of its new president, Luca Cordiglieri. The group said: “We congratulate Luca on his new position. May he have a wonderful experience and achieve big feats.”
It was with great pleasure that SB returned to Mexican restaurant and bar Mestizo in London this week to judge The Tequila Masters 2015. From Blancos and Añejos to standard and super-premium expressions, there was a diverse selection on offer to say the least.
Generous donations from our guests at last week’s Spirits Masters Awards Lunch at Kensington Roof Gardens raised more than £1,200 for The Benevolent, a charity dedicated to helping vulnerable people within the drinks industry. David Cox, CEO of The Benevolent, was at the event to present the prize draw of a presentation box containing a bottle of The black Tot Last Consignment Royal Navy Rum, complete with brass measure, to the winner, Kathryn Lodge.
Heaven Hill Distilleries has appointed Denny Potter as co-master distiller. With more than 17 years’ experience in the spirits industry, Potter currently works as distillery plant manager and will continue to work with master distiller Craig Beam overseeing the company’s American whiskey portfolio.
Premium Icelandic vodka Reyka unveiled its new Martini Dispenser this week, invented by UK brand ambassador, Joe Petch. The machine is able to chill your cocktail to -18 degrees Celsius before dispensing it into your Martini glass.
The new Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin Travel Gift Pack launched at Harvey Nichols this week just in time for Christmas, highlighting the brand’s signature serve Ophir G&G – Gin and Ginger.
Marek Posluszny was declared the winner of the 2014 Loolopaloosa Flair Championship Finals in Milan this week.
Mortlach global; brand ambassador Georgie Bell was in London this week to conduct a thorough tasting of the single malt Scotch whisky, including an analysis of its new make. Also unveiled were some pretty lovely rocks glasses decorated with the Mortlach signature gilding. Hopefully they will be for sale to the public in the near future!
Fortnum and Mason announced its panel of expert judges for its 2015 Food and Drink Awards this week as it opened for entries. Forming the panel will be restaurateur Russell Norman; chef, TV presenter and Masterchef judge Monica Galetti; wine writer Tim Atkin MW; food writer, historian and columnist for The Sunday Telegraph’s Stella Magazine; columnist for The Sunday Times Style Lucas Hollweg; and drinks columnist for the New Statesman Nina Caplan.
Tickets are now available for England’s “largest whisky festival outside London”, Whisky Birmingham, which is set to return in March next year with more than 150 different whiskies including from distributors from Pernod Ricard and Maxxium. The brainchild of Amy Seton, founder of the Birmingham Whisky Club, commented: “There has been a real sea change in Birmingham over the past year – whisky is becoming an ever greater part of the drinks mix here, both on- and off-trade. The festival’s pre-Christmas ticket sales for this year are already dwarfing last year’s, and we’re attracting more brands and visitors from across the country.”
