The week in pictures

The Spirits Business travelled to County Carlow, Ireland this week for the official opening of the Walsh Whiskey Distillery. A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday was attended by more than 300 people including founders Bernard and Rosemary Walsh, and Augusto Reina, CEO of Italian drinks group Illva Saronno – which owns a 50% stake in Walsh Whiskey Distillery. The €25 million production site has become the only independent Irish whiskey distillery to make malt, pot still and grain liquid.

Coinciding with the Monaco Grand Prix, Ghost Vodka hosted an official party at Jimmyz Monte Carlo – frequented by American singler and rapper, Akon (centre). In front of a packed house he performed hits including Right Now (Na Na Na), Beautiful, Smack That and Sexy Bitch. Surprise guest and fellow rapper 50 Cent even joined him on stage for a spontaneous superstar collaboration. At the event, Dom Perignon and Ghost Vodka bottles were ushered through the club by the dozens, with the party continuing until the early hours of the morning.

On Tuesday evening, Kyrö Distillery from Finland sponsored the ‘Focus on Finland’ reception with their Napue Gin at Devils Cut, thought to be Edinburgh’s first boutique speak easy. The event took place after a screening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, which runs until 26 June. 

North Berwick-based distiller NB rubbed shoulders with royalty this week, serving its gin and vodka products at Kate Middleton’s fundraising gala for East Anglia Children’s Hospice, which took place on Wednesday. The £10,000-a-head invitation-only bash saw 80 VIPs descend on the stately home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley, gathering funds for the hospice, which Kate became a patron of in 2012.

  Alejandro Millan Ponce de Leon was crowned The Chivas Masters Cocktail Competition champion this week following a close-fought competition held in Shanghai. Alejandro, pictured centre with judges (L-R) Chris Lowder, Naren Young, Leo Robitschek and Dre Masso, won with his cocktail ‘El Jornalero’.

Trade Union, a new “experiential blended concept”, opens in Wapping, London, today. Described as a “completely new collaboration of some of London’s most exciting lifestyle brands”, the space comprises a bar and kitchen alongside speciality coffeehouse, Vagabond, male grooming brand, Drakes of London and florist, Maua. The space also offers some office “hot desking” space – perfect for those looking to combine cocktails with work creativity.

On Monday evening, The Spirits Business joined Orcadian Scotch whisky producer Highland Park for cocktails at the Dalston Roof Park, and a sneak peek at the brand’s Summer Social solstice pop-up. Three Highland Park cocktails were on offer, including the deliciously steamy Smoked Old Fashioned, with guests treated to live music, canapes and a taste of the recently released Highland Park Ice edition.

Diageo-owned Islay single malt Lagavulin treated London whisky fans to a double delight this week, hosting a party marking the distillery’s 200th anniversary and simultaneously unveiling a limited edition 25-year-old ex-Sherry cask matured release to toast the occasion. Guests packed into the Oval Space for a delectable Islay feast in addition to a taste of the new dram. 

The UK Bartenders Guild (UKBG) hosted the 2016 edition of The Galvin Cup cocktail competition this Monday, with Mr Fogg’s Residence’s Nguyen Canh Nguyen emerging the victor. Held at London’s Hush Bar, competitors were tasked with creating three cocktails to be presented in front of a panel of judges. First up was the signature serve, followed by the bartender’s own creation before finally winning the judges over with a bespoke cocktail created with a mystery box of ingredients. Nguyen impressed with his Negroni Twist and Kyoto Garden serves, and triumphed in the mystery box category.

he ONE Group has kicked off a two-week cocktail promotion at STK London in a bid to raise money for the Orlando community affected by the Pulse nightclub shooting which claimed 49 lives. STK guests can purchase a cocktail, The Orlando Pride, for £12, with £5 being donated to the OneOrlando fund, with each purchase. The charity has been set up to respond to the needs of the Orlando community now, and in the time to come, after the effects of the Pulse nightclub tragedy.