The week in pictures
London bar Nola hosted the very first Maxxium UK Ltd Rookie Programme this week, which provides 12 newcomer bartenders with a year-long education and training programme to help them acquire particular skills, taught by some of the industry’s most revered experts.
The Quentessential Brands Group has welcomed a whole host of new faces to its team, including three new marketing members within its Brands sector, Quintessential Brands Company, plus two new internal appointments. Pictured above from left to right are Kate Harrison, who has moved into the new position of international brands manager premium gins; Nick Williamson who has joined as international marketing manager; Claire O’Grady who has joined as international brands manager for the Irish creams portfolio; Sinead O’Frighil who has been appointed international brand development manager for Irish whiskies; and Sam Chandler who has joined as assistant brand manager working on Greenall’s Gin marketing activities.
Pernod Ricard Travel Retail Pacific has launched a new promotion inviting travellers to try its only travel retail exclusive product, The Chivas Brothers’ Blend. Running until the end of January, the promotion is situated in nine airports across the Asia Pacific region, with the largest two being held at Sydney Airport.
A 30-second advert of Michael Owen for Spey Whisky went viral this week, portraying the England football star’s love for thoroughbred horse racing, which of course he likes to celebrate with his favourite Scotch whisky.
Thirty bartenders from around the world descended on the BIg Smoke this week for the final rounds of the Beefeater MIXLDN Global Bartender Competition.
But ultimately there could only be one winner, and taking the title was US bartender Brandon Phillips who impressed the panel of expert judges with his cocktail, Hackney Handshake.
Martell launched a pop-up space at Hong Kong International Airport this to mark the momentous milestone of its 300th anniversary. At the heart of the display, which will run until the end of February, is the Martell Premier Voyage – a product made from 18 eaux-de-vie ranging from 1977 to 1869, aged in 300-year-old oak casks and enclosed in its own specially commissioned artwork by French artist, Bernar Venet.
The Benevolent, a charity dedicated to helping vulnerable members of the drinks community has received a generous donation of £10,000 this week, to coincide with the announcement of its new chairman, Dan Townsend, as the former, Chris Porter’s two-year tenure comes to an end. The charity works to support those who have worked in pubs, breweries, distilleries, off-licenses and warehouses, plus those who work in office-based jobs.
Ireland’s most recent craft distillery, Blackwater Distillery, has teamed up with Dungarvan Brewing Company on a new innovative project that will see the firms transform 800 litres of the Dungarvan Brewing Company’s oatmeal stout into 100 litres of spirit, believed to be the first of its kind in the country.
The trade also celebrated the launch of a new magazine, Whisky Quarterly, edited by Colin Hampden-White (middle left) and published by Krzysztof Maruszewski (middle right), while Cask Strength Creative’s Joel Harrison (far right) and Neil Ridley (far left) have joined the mag as deputy editors.
