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The week in pictures

On Sunday evening, fifty-five of the best bartenders in the industry arrived in Mexico City to compete in the the Diageo World Class 2017 cocktail competition in Mexico. Over the four days that followed, they faced a plethora of challenges, from crafting show-stopping creations that will shape the future of cocktail culture, to shaking off competition in the knockout Lucha Libre cocktail challenge…

From 55 bartenders, 10 finalists were chosen following two days of intense rounds: Denmark’s Mate Csatlos of Kabuku at Umami; Japan’s Suguru Makinaga of Bar Leigh Islay; Sweden’s Josephine Sondlo of Penny and Bill; Mexico’s Fatima Del Carmen Leon of Fifty Mils; Great Britain’s Jamie Jones of No Fixed Abode; Canada’s Kaitlyn Stewart of Royal Dinette; Australia’s Andrea Gualdi of Maybe Frank; Turkey’s Kevin Patnode of Kulhanbeyi; the US’s Chris Cardone of I Sodi; and Austria’s Marcus Philipp of Albertina Passage…

After another grilling day of challenges, ten became four, with just Kaitlyn Stewart from Canada, Mate Csatlos from Denmark, Kevin Patnode from Turkey, and Andrea Gualdi from Australia through to the final heat…. There could only be one winner, however, and the accolade was awarded to Canada’s Stewart, who mastered the Diageo Reserve luxury portfolio with “ground-breaking” results. As the ninth member of the World Class Hall of Fame, Stewart is set for a year of adventure; travelling the world as a Diageo Reserve brand ambassador, making bespoke drinks in far-flung locations and judging competitions.

Eighteen Sky Bar at InterContinental London – The O2 was given a Mexican makeover by ultra-premium Tequila brand Casamigos last week. For one night only, guests enjoyed an array of delicious cocktails curated by a team of leading bartenders and Casamigos’ UK ambassador, Sam Plummer. Top tipples included the Cuarta Raiz, comprising Casamigos Blanco, lime juice, Cointreau, Re’al Ginger syrup and lemongrass; and Especia de la Casa, made with Casamigos Añejo, vermouth, chilli liquor, angostura bitters and orange bitters. A selection of Mexican light bites including nachos, ceviche, chimichangas and taquitos complemented the drinks offering, while live jazz and swing music Jojo & Band serenaded imbibers throughout the evening as they gazed out over London’s skyline.

On Tuesday, SB‘s Melita Kiely headed to London’s The Whisky Shop for an exclusive tasting of the new limited edition Littlemill 2017 Private Cellar Edition Scotch whisky, lead by Loch Lomond master blender Michael Henry. The evening also presented the opportunity to sample the Littlemill 2015 Private Cellar Edition, which was launched last year.

Bombay Sapphire hosted some of Europe’s leading bartenders at the second instalment of The Glasshouse Project with a three-day workshop in Manchester. Exploring topics ranging from sustainability and trend forecasting to design and flavour, the global initiative consists of a series of seminars and workshops from people outside of the drinks industry. Aiming to “inspire and push the boundaries of cocktail creativity and drive trade advocacy”, the session follows the successful pilot of the platform in London in September 2016 and first 2017 workshop in Mallorca last month.

Pernod Ricard launched a US$1,500 bottle of Avión Tequila to mark the 50th professional fight of American boxer Floyd Mayweather this weekend. The limited edition bottle of the brand’s most exclusive expression – Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo – is described as a collectors’ item and will be released through select retailers this week. Five-division world champion Mayweather is set to fight Connor McGregor in what has already been dubbed the ‘fight of the century’ in Las Vegas this Saturday.

Aperol is spritzing up London’s Southbank with the launch of the Aperol Spritz Sundial Social. The pop-up installation features a 20ft wide functioning sundial and bar – offering city dwellers a complimentary Aperol Spritz serve when the sundial strikes ‘aperitivo hour’ at 5pm. Bringing a slice of Venetian culture to the River Thames, Aperol will invite guests to join Italian bartenders in creating their own ‘3-2-1’ Aperol Spritz serve.

American electronic trio, Major Lazer, debuted their brand new track at a party in collaboration with Bacardí. Called Know No Better, the song features Fifth Harmony’s Camila Cabello, who made a surprise appearance on stage. The trio – comprising Diplo, Jillionaire and Walshy Fire – began their unique partnership with the brand at the start of 2017 through the Sound of Rum campaign – a movement that blurs lines between reggae, dancehall, soca, hip-hop and electronic music to bring fans of different genres together.

London bartender Michele Reina of Found, Shoreditch, was crowned Rebel Yell Band Of Rebels Bartender Cocktail Champion 2017, held at Smith & Wollensky Covent Garden earlier this week. His serve, Deviled Egg, combined Rebel Yell Small Batch Reserve, a quinine based syrup, and a whole egg infused with spices and herbs from Jamaican pimento to fig. Reina wins a VIP trip to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in September, and will also enjoy a preview of the brand’s new distillery, Lux Row, set to open in Spring 2018. In the image above Rebel Yell Bourbon’s master blender, John Rempe, adds a “snow” garnish to Reina’s winning cocktail.

Earlier this week news broke of a racegoer who attempted to hide a bottle of Rebel Yell in a sandwich at Southwell Racecourse in Nottinghamshire, UK. Security staff discovered the spirit encased in a hollowed-out tomato and salami baguette and were so impressed they offered to give it back to her when she left. In homage Ibon Mendiguren, brand ambassador for Glen’s Vodka, has crafted the Salami Sizzler – a twist on a Bloody Mary.

Across the pond, Chicago played host the official launch of Codigo 1530 Rosa Tequila the newest addition to Codigo’s Tequila family. Held on the rooftop of The Clayton cigar lounge, the lively event introduced the newest addition to Codigo’s Tequila family through private tastings with the brand’s founders Federico Vaughan and Ron Snyder, signature cocktails, live music and entertainment, delicious food from Prime & Provision steakhouse.

Scotland’s first community-owned Scotch malt whisky distillery, Glenwyvis, has raised more than £200,000 of its £750,000 target following the launch of its second share offer earlier this month. The additional funds will accelerate the distillery’s brand and visitor centre development and reduce commercial lending costs. The distillery, which will be entirely powered by green energy, is currently being built at the Heights of Docharty by Dingwall and is on-schedule to open this November. The stills and mash-tuns are now in place – pictured above with Josh Fraser, office manager – and recruitment is underway for the master distiller and visitor centre development officer.

On Thursday, Hackney bar and restaurant Oslo offered a taste of the Amalfi Coast with a pop-up from Pococello. The brand’s Piaggo Ape was on hand to deliver a ray or two of sunshine to thirsty fans, serving up its signature Poco-tonic as well as South Coast, comprising Pococello, gin, fresh lemon, syrup and mint; and Sunshine Spritz, made with Pococello, Prosecco and gin with a lemon wheel garnish.

Set in the heart of the Dublin Liberties, Pearse Lyons Distillery at St. James is readying to open its doors to the public for the first time this weekend. The site will offer exclusive tastings of all four Pearse Irish Whiskeys: Pearse The Original, Pearse Distiller’s Choice, Pearse Founder’s Choice and, for one day only, the exclusive Pearse Cooper’s Select. Admission to the grand opening will also offer tastings of a signature cocktail from resident mixologist Conor Ryan and a whiskey food pairing.

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