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The week in pictures

Mila Kunis, Jim Beam’s global brand partner, toasted the launch of the new Jim Beam Vanilla Bourbon at the McKittrick Hotel in New York on Monday. The event celebrated the vanilla-infused Bourbon that continues a 222-year family tradition of innovation and exploration. Wild Belle performed at the party and guests enjoyed aerial bartenders throughout the evening.

Last week SB joined leading vermouth brand Martini and Tony Conigliaro’s Bar Termini in undertaking a classic cycling route from Milan to Turin. The event saw a 45-strong team of bartenders, Martini and Bar Termini colleagues and press depart Milan’s Piazza del Duomo and cycle a gruelling 200 kilometres to Turin’s Piazza San Carlo, where they arrived in time for a Martini aperitivo or two at Caffè Torino.

Last night Patrón Tequila hosted the exclusive after-party for Russell Crowe’s musical project ‘The Indoor Garden Party’ at China Tang in The Dorchester Hotel. Curated by principal songwriter Crowe (pictured left with Jimmy Carr), The Indoor Garden Party currently features Canadian folk rock hero Alan Doyle and chart-topping producer Carl Falk, as well as master vocalists Scott Grimes and Lorraine O’Reilly.

Also in attendance was Chris Rock, Alice Temperley, Blainey North, Tom Fletcher (pictured middle) and his wife Giovanna, Greg Williams, and Caroline Rhea.

On Thursday, SB was summoned to a secret location in London to discover Juniper Manor: an experiential event created by immersive gastronomy platform Gingerline and British gin brand Sipsmith. The innovative set design and animated interactive performances transports participants on a journey through time, peppered with four courses of delicious food and delectable Sipsmith cocktails. After journeying through time via the Hieronymus Clock, we joined the Order of the Cygnets and were sworn to secrecy, so you’ll have to buy a ticket to find out more.

On Tuesday, SB editor Amy Hopkins attended the launch of Great Drams, a new book containing stories of Scotch whisky brands throughout history written by spirits consultant Greg Dillon. Hosted at Merchant House in London, the book is said to “decode labels and demystify malts and blends through tales dating back to the 15th century, right up to present day, chronicling brands that have contributed to the overall global success of Scotch”.

Last Friday, SB headed down to Hoxton to experience the tasting menu at Cub: a sustainable drinks-led dining experience from top bartenders Ryan Chetiyawardana and Doug McMaster of Brighton-based zero-waste restaurant Silo. Set above cocktail bar Super Lyan, the team set out to blur the boundaries of food and drink and create a “modern interpretation of a restaurant” – with delicious results. Each ingredient is carefully considered and brings something to the collective experience. The course on the left is described on the menu as ‘stone fruit sorbet, eucalyptus, douglas fir’, while on the right is ‘rare tea, tea stems, compressed plum’.

Transporting guests to Japan in this two-fold tasting, Suntory introduced guests to the art of Mizunara through a sensory journey of their finest blends. Sampling liquids from the Chita, Hakushu and Yamazaki Distilleries, guests were finally introduced to the latest expression – Yamazaki Mizunara 2017 edition. The new expression launches on 3 October at an RRP of £1,000. 

The Wigmore’s London Cocktail Week serve – Blended Union – made with Wigmore Saison beer, Amaro di Angostura rum, fresh union coffee, mango and honey – won Drink.Up London’s Best Cocktail Competition, making it officially the best cocktail of London Cocktail Week. The beer is brewed in collaboration with Brew by Numbers in Bermondsey.

On Tuesday SB attended the launch of Johnnie Walker’s latest Blender’s Batch bottling at Super Lyan in London’s Hoxton. Hosted by Diageo Reserve brand ambassador Ali Reynolds, guests sampled the new Espresso Roast and Rum Cask Finish expressions in an array of cocktails.

The Ivy restaurant has partnered with Chase Distillery to create a new expression, called The Ivy Centenary Gin. To mark the launch, The Ivy’s bar manager Darren Ball visited the Chase distillery in Hereford to witness the making of the new gin.

Team SB headed to Oblix on the 32nd floor of The Shard for a bar takeover with Takamaka Rum and Jamie Jones as part of Oblix’s Top Gun series. Jones, who was recently crowned Diageo Reserve GB’s World Class Bartender of the Year, created contemporary twists on classic tiki serves including Leather and Lipstick (pictured), a combination of Takamaka Extra Noir, Cuba Libre reduction, coffee, walnut bitters and sparkling wine.

On Sunday, Hixter Bankside played host to the inaugural Freya Birch Spirit Wild Spirits Cocktail Competition. Nine bartenders went head-to-head in the three-round event in a bid to be crowned Wild Spirits Cocktail Champion 2017. Champion Thom Solberg of Black Rock, London, will accompany Freya to New York for their US launch event where he will get the chance to showcase his winning cocktails to senior and leading figures in the industry, as well as bartenders and bar managers in the city.

On Tuesday, Bourne & Hollingsworth and Monkey Shoulder held a special preview dinner of Cooking with Cocktails. Monkey Shoulder has teamed up with some of the best and brightest bars and restaurants in London to bring these two spheres together in a new manner. This November, cocktail connoisseurs and foodie aficionados have come together to produce an exciting series of suppers, Cooking with Cocktails, all to raise awareness for Movember’s charitable causes.

1800 Tequila has launched London’s first aperitivo-beauty bar in Shoreditch. Guests can enjoy an array of treatments from manicures to massages alongside classic aperitivo cocktails such as the1800 Blush – a combination of 1800 Silver Tequila and Fentimans Rose Lemonade, served over ice and garnished with a slice of pink grapefruit and a sprig of fresh mint.

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