The week in pictures
Exchequer secretary, Damian Hinds, visited Accolade Park in Bristol, UK, this week where he met with senior executives from the WSTA. The drinks trade body warned against the UK leaving the EU, which would “threaten” its place in supply chains.
Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin has been named the official gin of the Elephant Family charity, which works to protect Asian elephants and their habitats. Kate Harrison, international marketing manager premium gins at Quintessential Brands, said: “We are very excited about our partnership with the Elephant Family and look forward to supporting their events with our exotic spiced gin, as well as contributing to the protection of the elephants with a variety of creative projects in the key Opihr markets of the UK and the US, with plans to work together on global activity in the future.”
Thomas Dakin Gin has officially launched at its home airport, Manchester Terminal 1 in the UK and is available in the Biza Tax & Duty Free stores and a pop-up Thomas Dakin Gin Bar.
Pictured above it the new Thomas Dakin Vintage Van, which delivered stocks to the airport. The vehicle will be based in Manchester and delivering to bars and restaurants throughout the city.
Bloom Gin and Marblehead partnered with the ETM Group, owners of the Botanist Bar, for a week of serving exotic cocktails and floral Spritzes during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Matching the carnival theme in Sloane Square – part of The Cadogan Estate’s #ChelseainBloom campaign with local bars, restaurants and shops – guests sipped Bloom Gin cocktails at The Botanist Sloane Square pop-up bar during the event.
The second round of the Gin Off took place last Monday, which saw East London Liquor Company scoop first place with their travel-inspired creation, Washing Away the Competition. The cocktail was served in a transparent travel bag inside 100ml containers, which came complete with a toothbrush for stirring. Summer garden ingredients, including apple, rhubarb, mint and sage, inspired the flavours.
London’s Purple Bar at Sanderson created an original floral cocktail to celebrate Chelsea Flower Show this week, called The Flowers of Evil. Inspired by Charles Baudelaire’s novel 1857, the drink is made with Beefeater 24, Benedictine liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse, absinthe, jasmine tea, honey and rose water.
Stanislaw Domin of Literatka bar in Poland had reason to celebrate after being crowned winner of the Polish national final of the Chivas Masters 2016 cocktail competition this week.
To celebrate World Whisky Day last Saturday, R&B distillers took over the Kansas Smitty’s jazz and Julep bar for an evening of whisky tastings, Juleps and a whisky-only cocktail menu, inspired by jazz and blues artists.
Blind Spot in St Martins Lane created a trio of floral cocktails in a nod to its location near the Covent Garden Flower Market. Cocktails included The ‘45’, made with Beefeater 24, Martini Extra Dry with keenum, peony flowers and rhubarb.
Journalists from consumer and trade publications gathered at The Easton Pub in London on Thursday night for the highly anticipated annual Diageo Pub Quiz. Gabby Logan took up the role of quizmaster once again, with an array of specially selected questions ranging from general knowledge and science and geography, to music and sports. It’s fair to say the questions did not lead in SB’s favour, as we cemented our position of 13th (last) place early on in the competition – a feat Logan was loath to let us forget.
Courvoisier held the Toast of Paris International Cocktail Competition final at the Secret Gallery in Paris last week, where bartender Aleksandrs Sadovskis (far right) from Prinzipal Kreuzberg, Berlin, was awarded first place.
SB‘s Amy Hopkins headed to The Club at The Ivy for a very special celebration – the 35th anniversaries of Wild Turkey master distiller Eddie Russell and Appleton Estate master blender Joy Spence in their respective industries. Guests enjoyed not only the company of both revered distillers but also some of their rarest creations, along with some delicious food, of course.
