The week in pictures
Irish whiskey fans travelling through Dublin Airport’s Terminal 1 rejoiced at the unveiling of a new-look Irish Whiskey Collection offering 121 different expressions. Created by London-based airport specialist retail design company The Design Solution, The Irish Whiskey Collection is located within the airport’s new €8 million store The Loop, which boasts a total of 371 whiskies from around the world.
The 54th UBB – Union of Belgium’s Bartenders – National Cocktails Competition was held this week in the Hotel Le Metropole in Brussels. Some of the best bartenders in the country competed for the title of Champion of Belgium 2015, but the accolade was awarded to Michel Van Hecke, of Bar XII at Hôtel Thon.
Papa Pilar Rum, inspired by the sea adventures of writer Ernst Hemingway, revealed its plans to partner with The Ocean Foundation to protect and restore the world’s coastal environments, donating US$1 for every picture posted with the hashtag #PilarPreserves from June 8 through July 21, Hemingway’s birthday.
The team at Dandelyan, based at London’s The Mondrain Hotel, are preparing to launch the “second chapter” of their drinks menu later this month. The botany-inspired bar was first opened by world-famous bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana last summer, and “re-imagines” classic drinks with fruits, vegetables and fresh herbs.
Mahiki bartender Frederick Holt has been crowned winner of the first Jägermeister-sponsored UKBG cocktail competition, impressing a panel of judges with his winter serve Cosy with Curt. Beating off competition from top bartenders based at the likes of Hutong in The Shard and Scarfes Bar at The Rosewood, Holt has won an all-expenses paid trip to Jägermeister’s distillery in Wolfenbüttel, followed by a visit to Berlin to experience the city’s vibrant bar scene.
Team SB teamed up with fellow drinks publication Just Drinks to fight for glory at the annual Diageo Pub Quiz, which this year was hosted by British presenter Gabby Logan. Up against the likes of the BBC, Reuters and ITV, we had a tough battle on our hands….
Unfortunately, despite our most diligent efforts, we came a pitiful 11th place. We were, however, ecstatic to have not come last. Sorry Reuters.
Bacardi started to drum up excitement for the UK leg of its Bacardi Classics Softball tournament, which the bartending community is encouraged to attend on Sunday 14 June. The winning team will face the victorious US team in a World Series, hosted during Tales of The Cocktail in New Orleans.
SB’s Melita Kiely and Amy Hopkins were also treated to a wonderful evening at The Ritz Club in London, sampling some of the delectable cocktails and scrumptious dishes on offer at the iconic members’ club. Wondering around the various “salons” in the club, where the rich and famous go to win big, its magnificent design was quite staggering.
Just last night Bombay Sapphire named Austria’s Sigrid Ehm as the first female winner of its Most Imaginative Bartender competition, the final for which was held in London. Ehm impressed with her twist on the classic Martini and will receive a place in the Cocktail Hall of Fame in the Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire, England – where she will also work with master distiller Nik Fordham to create her own personalised gin.
It’s been a busy few days for Bacardi rum, which also kicked off its Untameable Tour this week at Governors Ball in New York City. The tour will stop off at some of the most iconic music destinations in the US, while consumers have the chance to join the tour itself.
