The week in pictures

Whisky lovers around the world will no doubt have celebrated the new year with a dram of their favourite malt.

However, a trio of Antarctic explorers hosted the most extreme Hogmanay celebration as they toasted the start of 2018 with a dram of Scotch 140 nautical miles away from the South Pole.

At midnight Antarctic time, Barney Swan, Kyle O’Donoghue and Martin Barnett toasted the new year in their tents with a dram of whisky from the Ardgowan distillery, which they had been carrying in their packs since the expedition began 41 days before.

Earlier this week, Beefeater announced the finalists of its MIXLDN 7 Global Bartender Competition.

The 31 finalists will compete in February’s grand final, where they must consider flavour, appearance and originality to create cocktails inspired by their home city.

The finalists will be judged in London by a panel of experts, including Difford’s Guide editor Simon Difford, Ryan Chetiyawardana, of Dandelyan, and Beefeater master distiller Desmond Payne.

London cocktail bar CircusXO recently launched its XO Drivers Experience, featuring alcohol-free adaptations of its most famous cocktails, as well as two new and exclusive Seedlip-based concoctions.

Chef-Patron Dabiz Munoz and his team take a gastronomic approach to cocktails, offering playful, unexpected drinks, even for those swerving the alcohol.

The XO Drivers Experience includes a non-alcoholic version of the Liquid Madrizzzzz, a mix of violet shrub, lime, ginger and jasmine served in an oversized balloon glass, and the Brazilian White Chocolate with a house-made yuzu and mango chutney.

Also hoping to impress those giving up drink for the month, Blakes Restaurant in London has partnered with alcohol-free spirits maker Seedlip to produce a range of mocktails.

The alcohol-free menu includes The Yakuza Slap, made with Seedlip Garden, Yuzu, Shisho syrup, lime juice and a dash of tonic water, as well as The Kokio Sour, created with a spiced hibiscus base, cranberry juice, lime juice and egg white.

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky will launch its 80th anniversary celebrations as the spirit sponsors of the 2018 Critics’ Choice Awards in Hollywood.

The event on 11 January celebrates the best from the world of cinema over the last year and will see a host of famous faces walk down the red carpet in Hollywood.

This year, before the first award is given out, guests will be toasting the occasion with a selection of whisky, gin and rum cocktails made from Duncan Taylor’s portfolio of spirits.

Desmond Payne, master distiller at Beefeater Gin, has been recognised in the 2018 Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

Payne, who boasts more than 50 years working in the gin industry, was made a member of the order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the UK gin industry.

Payne said: “I am truly honoured to receive this award. It’s a real privilege working at Beefeater and in this industry, and to be recognised in this manner is very humbling.”

Also recognised in the Queen’s 2018 New Year’s Honours List was chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), Ian Harris.

Harris was appointed an MBE in recognition for his services to the wine and spirits industry. He said: “It is an incredible honour to be appointed an MBE. After 25 years in the mainstream, commercial side of the industry, I have enjoyed the last (and the best) 15 years of my career at the Wine and Spirit Education Trust.”

The London Edition bar is bringing the healing power of Sound Baths to the capital as it hosts Sound Sebastien.

Sound Sebastien, founded by Jasmine Hemsley and Toni Dicks, uses the calming tones of crystal singing bowls to create a sensory experience which is said to calm the mind, open the heart and nourish the spirit.

The hour-long experience offers the ultimate antidote to hectic city living and is available for the public every Monday at 6.30pm and 8pm throughout January and February.

The Durham Distillery announced this week that it will begin distilling whisky later this year.

The gin and vodka maker will soon begin producing what is thought to be the first whisky made in the north east of England.

Jessica Tomlinson, head distiller, said: “Heading up the production of Durham Whisky is very exciting, and we can’t wait to start the process in 2018.”

Kentucky-based James E Pepper Distillery has filled its first Bourbon barrels in more than 50 years, after officially reopening just before Christmas.

The original distillery was built in Lexington in 1869 by Colonel James E Pepper and was operational until 1958 when it was shut down and left dormant for more than 50 years.

The distillery was only the fifth site to be issued a distillery license in Kentucky.