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The week in pictures

The Gin Spa opened in Glasgow this week, offering a range of gin-inspired treatments including face serums and body lotions.

Opened by Glasgow bar group Gin71, the spa is thought to be the UK’s first gin spa and uses Scottish aromatherapist Gail Bryden’s JustBe Botanicals range of products in its treatments.

Alongside a range of relaxing pamper treatments, The Gin Spa provides complimentary gin cocktails to guests.

The Punch Room at The London Edition launched its Perfect Mix series this week.

Throughout 2018, the London venue will shine a spotlight on some of its favourite drinkers, offering the chance to sample their favourite cocktails while enjoying a specially curated playlist.

To kick off the series, Dylan Jones, Editor-in-Chief of GQ magazine, unveiled his perfect mix: a classic Negroni and playlist of soft vocals and groovy instrumentals.

Famed New York Drinking den The Dead Rabbit announced plans to move to a larger space.

Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry opened the venue in 2013 and this week announced they had signed a 17-year lease for space at 32 Water Street, allowing them to double the size of the venue.

The Dead Rabbit will also release the the fifth and sixth comic books in its current menu series later this year, followed by a new series of menus.

Wright Brothers launched its January detox menu, helping drinkers start their year feeling refreshed and revived.

The menu features a selection of delicious dishes, as well as a range of alcohol-free creations for people to enjoy.

Drinks on the menu include the Blood Orange Bellini, made with blood orange, stevia and Scavi & Ray non-alcoholic Prosecco; and the Cucumber Collins, which combines non-alcoholic Prosecco with ginger, cucumber juice, apple cider vinegar and stevia.

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) this week appointed Nick Hyde as its new chairman, replacing James Simpson MW, who stepped down from the position after his six-year tenure ended.

Hyde will represent the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), of which he was previously chairman. He is also chairman of Vranken Pommery UK.

Hyde said: “As chairman, my role and that of the board will be to ensure that the conditions are in place for the successful transition to this exciting new chapter. It will certainly be a challenge made easier by the extraordinary energy and commitment of the WSET team.”

Blended Scotch whisky brand Chivas Regal launched its 2018 Chivas Masters cocktail competition this week.

This year, the competition will take place in 22 countries on six continents and will focus on the theme of ‘community’.

Participants will be challenged to create a drink inspired by someone in their local community in order to earn a place in the global final in both London and at the Strathisla Distillery in Speyside.

SB hosted the second round of the 2018 Global Spirits Masters competition this week.

The Tequila and Mezcal Masters took place at London’s Cantina Laredo and saw over 50 different Tequilas and mezcals judged on their aroma, flavour and appearance.

An expert panel of judges awarded Silver and Gold medals as well as coveted Master titles.

Heaven Hill Brands and Liquor.com announced the 49 regional semifinalists for the 2018 Bartender of the Year competition.

More than 1,000 original cocktail recipes were submitted for the competition and Kate S. Latts, Heaven Hill Brands vice president of marketing, said: “We look forward to building relationships with the 2018 class as we continue to offer an impactful competition focused on professional development and passion within hospitality.”

The semi-finalists will compete across America from January through end of April 2018.

Rapper Drake and DeLeón Tequila founder Brent Hocking have announced their plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) to raise US$30 million for whiskey venture Virginia Black.

The duo aims to “redefine whisky” and hope the IPO, which is expected to launch at the end of the first quarter of 2018, will raise funds for them to expand their operation, increase sales and marketing and supply working capital.

Virginia Black Decadent American Whiskey launched in May 2016 and is a blend of two-, three- and four-year old Bourbon whiskeys.

Rum brand Sailor Jerry have partnered with the London Cocktail Club in Bethnal Green to celebrate what would have been the 107th birthday of Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins.

To mark the birthday of the father of American old school tattooing, London Cocktail Club and the spiced rum brand have released a limited-edition cocktail called the King Jerry.

The King Jerry brings together Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum with King’s Ginger liqueur, honey, egg white and lime juice, served in a mug decorated with a design from Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins second world war tattooing days.

UK drinks distributor Matthew Clark has launched its first cocktail competition.

Bartenders from across the country are invited to take part in the Stir It Up competition by submitting their recipe for the ultimate summer cocktail from 29 January.

Regional heats will take place across the UK in March before the grand final in London in April, where the winner will walk away with a ‘once in a lifetime’ trip to America.

The world’s largest spirits producer, Diageo, outlined plans for the second International Scotch Day, including whisky tastings and free distillery visitor centre tours.

On 8 February, Scotch whisky will be celebrated across the globe with a host of special events, including the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Diageo Archive in Menstrie, the biggest drinks industry archive in the world.

Now in its second year, the day is a celebration of all things Scotch whisky and is intended to “cement Scotch’s status as both the world’s favourite whisky and the perfect drink to be shared with good company”.

SB met the team from London Cocktail Club this week to celebrate the opening of their latest site and to find out more about their pre-made cocktail offering, Craft Cocktail Co.

The group’s latest venture includes RTD cocktails such as a Bloody Mary, a Reggae Rum Punch and a twist on the classic Aperol Spritz, called the Sunset Spritz.

Craft Cocktail Co hopes more bars will be able to offer drinkers great quality cocktails in a quick, simple manner.

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