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The week in pictures

A flask of whisky that travelled all the way to the South Pole with a group of Antarctic explorers has commenced its long journey back to Scotland.

Robert and Barney Swan set off for the South Pole in November, carrying two flasks of whisky from the Ardgowan distillery. While one flask was enjoyed on Hogmanay, the other is coming back to Scotland.

Once back at the distillery in Inverkip, the whisky from the second flask will be used to produce a special-edition Ardgowan Expedition bottling.

Luxury vodka brand Belvedere has returned to this year’s Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Guests at the festival, now in its 33rd year, will be able to enjoy signature Belvedere vodka cocktails, including the Belvedere Rosemary Collins and a Belvedere Old Fashioned.

The Polish vodka maker will also serve as title sponsor for the Opening Night and the Outstanding Performers tribute evenings.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, London restaurant Le Gavroche and chef patron Michel Roux Jr teamed up with gin brand Little Bird to produce a limited-edition expression.

The release of the limited-edition bottling also coincides with the grand opening of Little Bird’s brand new bar and distillery in Peckham.

The Portobello Road distillery has launched a new series of interactive and historical dining events, called The Distillery Presents…

Created by the team behind The Ginstitute, guests will be taken on a ‘multi-sensory journey’, which is brought to life throughout a five-course feast.

The first three events will cover the food of British super spy James Bond, a historical five century dinner, and an evening of food inspired by Alexis Soyer – the world’s first celebrity chef.

The events run until May and tickets are available from The Distillery.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and the makers of Cîroc vodka have launched the Cîroc Studios, a platform dedicated to providing emerging artists with access to the facilities they need.

The studio space is located inside the iconic Record Plant Recording Studios in West Hollywood, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The opening of the 3,000 square foot recording space was hosted by Grammy Award-winning producer DJ Khaled and saw appearances from Ashley Simpson Ross, Teyana Taylor and Terrence J.

Scottish cycling legend Mark Beaumont is gearing up for his latest challenge: acting as guest of honour at the first Fife Whisky Festival.

The endurance cyclist will open the event on Saturday 10 March at the Corn Exchange in Cupar.

Beaumont, who holds the record for cycling around the world, said: “Having partly grown up in Fife, I am proud of all the Kingdom has to offer and look forward to coming back and enjoying the Fife Whisky Festival.”

One of the world’s best bars, Linje Tio in Stockholm, has travelled to London for a week long pop-up in Soho.

The bar will take up residency in The Den at Wardour Street from January 31 – February 7, serving up its creative twists on classic drinks. The team from Linje Tio will then move into the Restaurant and Club from February 8 – 10 to serve up Scandinavian party vibes into the early hours.

The Swedish bar was the first bar in the country to enter the World’s Top 50, where it currently sit at 44.

The Facundo Rum Collection hosted an ‘Art of Rum’ experience at Miami Beach hotspot, Juvia.

The collection invited members of the New World Symphony private membership club to a special rum tasting to celebrate the club’s 30th anniversary.

The ‘Art of Rum’ at Juvia also marked the launch of the Facundo Rum Collection through online spirits retailer ReserveBar. 

Campari unveiled its short movie, called The Legend of Red Hand, starring actress Zoe Saldana this week.

In the film, directed by Stefano Sollima, the Guardians of the Galaxy actress stars as Mia Parc, a charismatic photographer who travels to London, Berlin and Rio de Janeiro in search of the ‘mysterious’ Red Hand.

Saldana said: “Playing Mia Parc in The Legend of Red Hand was a fantastic experience, allowing me to delve into a world steeped in mystery and intrigue through my character and her mission for perfection.”

SB‘s Nicola Carruthers headed to The Oxford Artisan Distillery on Wednesday for the press launch of the distillery’s new Physic Gin.

Created in collaboration with the Oxford University Botanic Garden, the gin features 25 botanicals grown and foraged there.

The group of journalists embarked on a tour of the distillery and botanical garden, followed by a tasting of the spirits range, accompanied by paired dishes created and served by chef Sophie Grigson.

On Tuesday, SB went along to the launch of the latest expression in Glenmorangie’s Private Edition range, called Spìos.

The evening included a chance to sample the ninth expression from the Private Edition range, which has been fully aged in ex-rye casks.

There was also a Q&A with Glenmorangie’s director of distilling, whisky creation and whisky stocks, Dr Bill Lumsden, and a chance to taste some cocktails made with the new expression.

The Copper Rivet distillery in Kent continued the Burns Night celebrations this week by inviting resident piper Paul Stevens into the distillery.

Stevens helped the team honour their Scottish cousins of the whisky trade with his performance in the stillhouse.

The distillery began producing spirit in 2016 and its range currently includes vodka and gin, with plans to release its Masthouse whisky in 2020.

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