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The week in pictures

The winner of the third Rémy Cointreau La Maison Cointreau Asia competition has been announced in Vietnam.

Jake Page from Employees Only in Singapore scooped the top prize in the regional bartending competition in Ho Chi Min City, which tested the creativity, skill and knowledge of bartenders from across Asia.

Jake’s winning cocktail flight was inspired by his life story and included three creations which utilised spirits from the Bruichladdich distillery. He will now be taken on a trip to any distillery which falls under the Rémy Cointreau brand.

 

Casamigos hosted their annual star-studded Halloween party earlier this week.

The brand, founded by George Clooney and Rande Gerber, hosted the 70’s themed party at the Old Tower Records Space in Los Angeles.

Guests, including Amal Clooney, Cindy Crawford and Kim Kardashian went all out for their outfits for the party, which saw surprise musical appearances, cocktails and lots of Tequila.

 

Staying with Halloween and some of the best bars across London have unveiled creepy cocktails to celebrate Halloween and Mexico’s Day of the Dead festival.

The Shrub and Shutter in Brixton has the Werewolf of London, which is made of gin, Luxardo Maraschino and a juniper and black pepper shrub, while Las Iguanas has given us a Passionfruit Margarita served in a Day of the Dead skull. At Dirty Bones, why not try a Smashed Pumpkin made with pumpkin pie moonshine, pear and raspberries?

 

Jack Daniel’s latest campaign to give UK bartenders the chance to learn from the best in the business hit Liverpool this week.

Following on from the success of the London Sessions, the Liverpool Sessions hosted talks from some of the worlds leading drinks experts. London Cocktail Club co-founder, JJ Goodman, head bartender at The Savoy’s American Bar, Erik Lorincz, and Jack Daniel’s UK brand ambassador, Cam Dawson, hosted talks on creativity, quality and entrepreneurialism.

Bartenders taking part in the Tennessee Calling II competition, which launched at the Liverpool Sessions, must create a cocktail inspired by the themes of the seminars they attended. The chosen finalists will then travel to the home of Jack Daniel’s.

SB‘s news, web and social editor Nicola Carruthers headed to Scotland for the launch of Ballantine’s new single malt series. The group of journalists headed to Glenburgie Distillery and Glentauchers Distillery, where they had the chance to see the production process behind the new range, as well as experience a tasting and blending masterclass. The trip culminated with a boat trip to the River Spey.

 

On Thursday, SB head to Spanish restaurant Camino on London’s Bankside for the Design and Packaging Spirits Masters.

The day saw our panel discuss the bottle and packaging designs for everything from Scotch whisky to Californian vodka, as well as some of the most effective marketing campaigns from the past year.

You can read all the results from the competition in the December issue of The Spirits Business.

 

Winter has definitely arrived as the nights grow darker longer and the days get colder.

The changing season brings with it a change to some of the best cocktail menus. Quaglino’s in London have added a new festive drink to their menu.

The Perfect Serve has been created by bartenders and dessert chef’s and consists of Rémy Martin XO served with a home-made chocolate cigar.

This exclusive pairing will be available at Quaglino’s Q Bar until 30 December.

 

The Balvenie’s Raw Craft is drawing it’s third series to a close and the final episode is now available to watch.

The series sees host Anthony Bourdain celebrate some of Americas most talented craftspeople.

In this final episode, Bourdain takes us inside SJC Custom Drums, a small outfit creating bespoke drum kits for some of their musical heroes. The episode follows Mike and Scott Ciprari, founders of SJC, as they create a custom snare drum for Tré Cool from Green Day.

 

Single grain whisky 8O8 has appointed Andy Huntley as their new whisky and music ambassador.

Hailing from South Wales, Hunter brings a wealth of experience from both the spirits and music Industry. The singer/songwriter has worked alongside everyone from Snow Patrol to Ellie Goulding. He has spent the last five years with William Grant & Sons where he developed his passion for whisky.

Hunter’s role with 808 will revolve around building awareness of the brand in the on-trade and educating and inspiring bartenders.

 

The 2nd annual Goral Vodka Masters competition launched this week.

The Slovakian vodka manufacturers competition invites the most creative bartenders from around the world to share their knowledge and passion while creating drinks to be judged by a panel of experts.

The competition will take place from the 25-28 of January 2018.

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