The week in pictures
We headed to MASH in Soho, London, this week where we teamed up with Bacardi to host a roundtable discussion all about rum. An experienced panel of judges, chaired by Kristiane Sherry, editor of The Spirits Business, shared their views on a multitude of topics, from premiumisaton and aged white rum expressions to on-trade trends and the impact of age statements.
Glenmorangie celebrated its partnership with British sunglasses company Finlay & Co. to create whisky sunglasses from ex-barrels with an official launch party at The Glenmorangie Beyond the Cask Pop-Up Bar on Tuesday. Located at 15 Bateman Street, Soho, London, the event was frequented by Downton Abbey actress, Cara Theobold.
Also attending the Glenmorangie Beyond the Cask Pop-Up Bar opening nights was actor James Purefoy, who has appeared in TV series, The Following.
Team SB headed to the 52nd floor at The Shard on Thursday night to Gong for the venue’s Star Bartender night, featuring Zdenek Kastenek and his head bartender Logan Demmy who travelled all the way from 28 Hong Kong Street in Singapore.
The ‘Star Bartender’ duo served up a selection of delectable delights at Gong, including A Poet’s Cup, which was a twist on the classic Negroni and made using Bacardi 8, Mancino Amaranto Rosso Vermouth infused with coffee beans, Rinomato and Becherovka. Other options included banana-infused Bacardi 8, parsnip purée, lime juice and St George Absinthe.
Grey Goose vodka hosted Spotlight producer, Michael Sugar’s pre-Oscars party this week, before the film picked up Best Picture at the prestigious awards ceremony. Joining Grey Goose at Sugar’s party at Sunset Tower was Spotlight actor, Liev Schreiber.
Also attending the Grey Goose pre-Oscars party, hosted by producer Michael Sugar, were actors Matt McGorry and Chace Crawford.
Bartenders mixed up a myriad of cocktails at Michael Sugar’s pre-Oscars party, including Grey Goose’s Le Fizz. Among the many famous faces in attendance were Emma Stone, Zach Braff and Olivia Wilde (pictured above).
On Wednesday iconic London restaurant Asia de Cuba officially launched its new rum bar with a bespoke Mojito and Ceviche pairing menu. Stocking 51 varieties of rum from 18 different countries, the venue has installed its own sugarcane press to put the juice and its associated health benefits at the centre of each drink. Working in collaboration with Havana Club, the team has created a unique drinks list which includes the Tocororo Julep, a combination of Havana Club Selection de Maestros rum, fresh sugarcane juice, peach purée and peach liqueur; and the Guarapo, a mix of Havana Club 3 Year Old, fresh sugarcane juice and orange juice.
On Tuesday, SB headed East to celebrate the launch of The Cocktail Trading Company’s new permanent home in Brick Lane. The latest project from renowned bartenders Andy Mil, Olly Brading and Elliot Ball focuses on unusual spirits and unique infusions to offer a creative and nostalgic cocktail list served in eye-catching vessels. Top picks were APairOTeef, served in a ‘water’ glass containing realistic edible white chocolate teeth, and Bonsai Butterfly (pictured), a gin creation which arrives in a traditional finger bowl.The venue also has an in-house distillery, allowing the bar team to produce their own bespoke spirits, and a bar school, specialising in both residential and commercial training for drink enthusiasts and professionals
