The week in pictures
Thursday saw the premiere of Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, the feature film of the iconic British television show, supported by Stolichnaya Vodka. The brand hosted a themed hub in Freedom, Soho, complete with bespoke glassware, a photo booth, and branded POS, and was served as the exclusive spirit in the VIP area in Trafalgar Square. A range of Stolichnaya Vodka cocktails inspired by iconic characters Eddy and Patsy – including the Sweetie Darling and classic Stoli Bolli – were made available in selected on-trade accounts across the UK.
Stolichnaya Vodka also celebrated the launch of the movie at last weekend’s Pride in London parade with a designated ‘Stoli x Ab Fab’ float, led by ‘Ab Fab’ stars, Jennifer Saunders and Joanne Lumley.
Last night, Highland-based Tomatin Distillery launched the first release in its luxury ‘Warehouse 6’ collection, the 1971 limited edition, at the RSA Vaults in London. The 44 year old single cask Scotch whisky was presented by distillery manager, Graham Eunson. Just 252 bottles of the spirit are available, retailing at £2,500.
Pimm’s has appointed Judy Murray as its ‘chief foliage officer’ for the tennis season, after she sent the brand a social media complaint criticising the “foliage overdose” garnishing her drink. The mother of tennis stars Andy and Jamie Murray recorded a training video for bartenders that is to be distributed across the nation in a bid to avoid further foliage blunders.
On Thursday evening, SB headed to Islington’s newest neighbourhood pizzeria Zia Lucia to sample a selection of cocktails, wines, homemade starters, innovative Italian pizzas and creative desserts. The drinks list pays homage to its home country with a focus on spritz’, Negroni’s, bottled beers both Italian and locally brewed, and wine and Prosecco sourced from small Italian producers. Zia Lucia’s kitchen is headed up by an award-winning pizzaiolo, who has created a variety of unique doughs – ranging from vegetable charcoal to wholemeal – to bring a twist to the Italian dining experience.
The Jack Daniel’s Barrel House has popped up on Melbourne’s Southbank in Australia. The 10-day celebration, which will run until 3 July, pays homage to the 150th anniversary of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg with a schedule of swing bands, brass bands, DJs, rock music, rockabilly dance lessons, Southern American food, and signature whiskey cocktails.
Pernod Ricard Asia Travel Retail launched an interactive, educational Ballantine’s activation at Incheon International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport, to encourage consumers to ‘Stay True to Your Blend’. An interactive game uses travellers’ personality traits to match them to a whisky from the brand’s blended range.
The ninth annual Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby was staged at The Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare, Ireland, last Saturday. The airport retailer sponsored six of the eight races on the card including flagship race, The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. The race was won by Dermot Weld-trained Harzand, owned by His Highness the Aga Khan and ridden by Pat Smullen.
The Tale Bar at Playboy Club London has unveils a commemorative cocktail to mark not only the club’s 50th birthday, but also the golden anniversary of England’s World Club football win – who incidentally celebrated their victory inside the venue in 1966. Called ‘The Geoff Hurst’, the cocktail honours the only footballer to score a hat trick in a World Cup Final with a combination of “three shots” of vodka, gin, and Tequila, combined elderflower cordial, sugar and Champagne.
SB‘s Amy Hopkins had a preview of the new Whiskey Thief Bourbon brand – a fast-aged variant that will initially be exclusively distributed in the UK market by Amathus Drinks. The “contemporary” brand is said to fuse “whiskey-making tradition with innovation” and uses liquid from MGP Ingredients in Indiana.
