The week in pictures
This week, Campari unveiled the final imagery for its iconic 2016 Calendar with Hollywood actress and entrepreneur Kate Hudson as the star. The theme for the iconic calendar was inspired by the US presidential election, which was used as a “metaphor for the duality of two opposing sides”, designed to get consumers to think about whether they prefer bitter or sweet flavours. Throughout the thirteen images, Hudson plays the roles of two different candidates: one promoting bitterness versus the other supporting sweetness. Only 9,999 copies are printed, and will not go on sale but will instead be internationally distributed to “friends of Campari” around the world.
Fragrances at The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin this week announced the launch of its new bar menu, made up of 30 new cocktails – each of which has been inspired by famous perfumes such as Vendemmia by Salvatore Ferragamo, Nuit D’Issey by Issey Miyake or Voyou by Guerlain. On entering Fragrances, guests are first faced with an interactive “Hall of Fame”, and can choose their drink using all their senses, on the basis of the matching fragrance and its individual components. Drinks are served in unusual vessels that match the aromas, such as an oversized strawberry with cotton candy.
Brown-Forman recruited US comedy actor Danny McBride to star in a new campaign for Southern Comfort, called SHOTTASoCo. An extension of the brand’s long-running Whatever’s Comfortable campaign, SHOTTASoCo stands for “shot of Southern Comfort” and features its own “booty-shaking” theme tune.
John Malkovich is the star of an original film by Louis XIII Cognac, directed by Robert Rodriguez. Titled 100 Years: The Film You Will Never See, the movie envisions what the earth will be like in 100 years and will not be released until 2115. The film has been placed in a safe, which is on a timer to open exactly 100 years from now. No fewer than 1,000 tickets have been given to guests to pass on to their descendants to attend the premiere of 100 Years on November 18 2115.
To celebrate the launch of its recent limited edition bottle, Absolut hosted the Absolut Electrik House in London on Thursday, designed to “push the boundaries” of nightlife and offer a “next level house party”. Guests indulged in vodka tipples and danced the night away to DJs, including Moiré, Lone, Leon Vynehall and Space Dimension Controller. (Photo: Robert Geraghty)
It was time for SB to head back to school on Wednesday with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), as editor Kristiane Sherry and senior staff writer Melita Kiely studied for their Level 1 Spirits qualification. From distillation methods, Scotch whisky and rum to Tequila, gin and liqueurs, the day was jam packed with back-to-back classes about the wonderful world of spirits.
Coq D’Argent’s winter roof terrace, Lodge D’Argent, is becoming an annual affair for the SB team, which officially reopened on Tuesday night. The après-ski-themed bar offered visitors a night of delectable cocktails and indulgent French canapés.
Appleton Estate Rum revealed the winners of its Bartenders Challenge Final this week, awarding the top accolades to Johnny Arthur and Chelsie Bailey. The finalists were put through their paces with a two-day final judged by past winner Rich Tring and senior blender David Morrison. Each winner will receive a trip for two to Jamaica.
Shoppers at Tesco this summer were given the chance to win tickets to a personal gig headlined by singer/ songwriter Frank Turner for themselves and friends. To enter customers had to buy a bottle of Jack Daniel’s Old Number 7, Tennessee Honey or Tennessee Fire and the brand received more than 24,500 submissions. The lucky winner was Michelle Hampton from Solihull.
The national heats for the Beefeater MIXLDN 2015 cocktail competition continued this week, with Lukas Hochmuth, of the Ritz-Carlton in Vienna, soaring to victory in Austria and Frank Thelen, of Roomers Bar in Frankfurt, claiming the top spot in Germany. Both bartenders will travel to London in January to compete in the global final.
On Tuesday, SB hosted the grand final of The Wenneker Swizzle Masters 2015 cocktail competition at Dandelyan in London. Five winning cocktails from throughout the year went head-to-head before a panel of esteemed judges battling for the title of Wenneker Swizzle Master 2015 and a cash prize of £1,000.
