The week in pictures
Eddie Russell and his father, Jimmy Russell, became the first father-and-son master distiller duo this year at the Wild Turkey Bourbon Distillery. Now, Eddie Russell is preparing to travel to the UK to judge the Wild Turkey Cocktail Competition final that will see some of the best bartenders in the business go head-to-head for the chance to win a trip to the brand’s distillery in Kentucky, plus a trip to New York to sample some of the world’s best bars.
Bartender Peter Nguyen of China Tang, at The Dorchester in London, was selected as the winner of Martin Miller’s Mayfair Cocktail Champion. Hosted at Smith & Whistle at The Park Lane Hotel in Mayfair, Nguyen blew judges away with his cocktail Life on an ‘Ice’ Land, made of Martin Miller’s Gin, citrus water, calvados and salted rosemary and pineapple syrup.
Hendrick’s Gin conduct a cocktail orchestra in the Hendrick’s Emporium of Sensorial Submersion at Edinburgh Festival Fringe festival. The installation was created by sound artist Mark IJzerman from the HKU University of the Arts Utrect, and invites guests to explore the “secret life of cocktails” through five individual experiences which offer “audible, palatable and tangible stimulation”. The emporium is centred around “The Quietest Bar on Earth”, inspired by Author EB White, who proclaimed the Martini “the elixir of quietude”.
William Grant & Sons UK hosted the very first Highland Festival in Haggerston Park last Sunday as 48 bartenders battled it out for the chance to win a trip to Iceland with Reyka Vodka. Six captains represented a brand from the group’s portfolio as participants were put through their paces with five events, including the Ramos Fizz cocktail relay, the 16 legged-race, human bowling, an inflatable obstacle course and tug of war finale. Triumphing in the day’s tasks was team Disaronno whose eight team members will travel to Iceland with Reyka Vodka.
Speyburn Single Malt Scotch Whisky is celebrating the completion of a second environmental project to increase fish populations along the River Spey. Working alongside Scottish charity The Spey Foundation, the two groups have succeeded in building a new fish pass in the Granty Burn to overcome in-river obstacles and prevent salmon and sea trout from spawning, and improve the river’s biodiversity.
Glenfiddich Scotch whisky is on a mission to capture the best “Golden Hour” moments from this summer and has shared some stunning sunset shots on its Facebook page. The best photographer will be rewarded with a bottle of Glenfiddich 21 Year Old. Pictured above is Llangolan by Peter Quantock.
Celebrities were out in full force enjoying cocktails from Mahiki’s Paradise Pop-up at Skinnydip, London, which launched a new headphone collection in collaboration with model Zara Martin. Supporting the release were reality TV show Made in Chelsea cast members Rosie Fortescue and Millie Mackintosh (centre and right).
Also in attendance at the Mahiki Paradise Pop-up at Skinnydip, London, this week was singing sensation Ella Eyre (far right) who has achieved number ones in the UK with tracks Gravity and Waiting All Night.
On Wednesday evening sb headed to The Lockhart for the launch of the new basement bar Showdown. The all American cocktail menu has been designed by Matt Whiley while Mississippi-born chef Brad McDonald took care of the culinary offerings.
SB zoomed up the Shard to Campari’s London offices to attend the launch of Appleton Estate’s new UK advertising campaign, which will be shown at cinemas and will also be available to view on demand. At the same time, ambassador Richard Tring, owner of Bristol bar The Red Light, gave visitors a tutored tasting of the rum range and also shed some light on its new classification system, as well as shaking up some mean Mai Tai cocktails.
Some of the UK’s top game chefs and restaurateurs, who boast eight Michelin Stars between them, took part in the inaugural Balvenie Game Restaurant Shooting Cup this week. Tasked with shooting clays and targets, Mark Edwards of Nobu walked away as champion and received a handmade Quaich trophy presented by Kirsten Grant-Meikle of William Grant.
Bartender Ai Igarashi, of Bar Trench in Tokyo, has been named winner of Beefeater MIXLDN Bartender Cocktail Competition’s Japan heat. Igarashi impressed a panel of esteemed judges with her creation Tip Top Beef Eater, a take on the Hanky Panky and made using Beefeater 24, homemade lambrusco syrup, balsamic vinegar, pink grapefruit juice, cracked black pepper and Italian parsley.
Former Bacardi Legacy UK winner, Chris Moore from the Beaufort Bar at The Savoy, and Bacardi brand ambassador for Northern Europe, Shervene Shahbazkhani, hosted a workshop at Dandelyan on London’s South Bank for bartenders planning to enter this year’s Bacardi Legacy cocktail competition. Attendees enjoyed tasting eight delicious rum cocktails intended to get the creative juices flowing, and benefitted from advice ranging from research and use of ingredients to presentation and practicality.
