The week in pictures

This week saw Danish rum brand Skotlander unveil its latest expression, which has matured on-board a ship travelling the seas.

Four barrels of two-year-old Skotlander rum travelled 2,200 nautical miles across the world’s oceans, before being bottled for sale by the distillery.

Just 950 bottles of the experimental rum, bottled at 47% abv, have been made available.

Lewis McCulloch Ryan triumphed in a design challenge set by Plymouth Gin.

The competition, run by the gin brand and Plymouth College of Art, saw 15 design students create their own interpretations of the perfect vessel to use when drinking Plymouth Gin.

Ryan’s ‘Coastline’ vessel was inspired by the ocean city’s coast and used stainless steel sourced from old military vessels based in the area.

Cameron Moncaster from Waeska Bar at the Mandrake Hotel was crowned the UK winner in this year’s Tio Pepe Challenge.

Contestants were tested on their cocktail theory and techniques by a panel of judges, which included cocktail experts Walter Pintus, Stuart Hudson and Boris Ivan.

Cameron will now travel to Jerez to represent the UK in the global final of the competition at the beginning of May.

Whisky maker Loch Lomond announced its first sponsorship agreement with a professional golfer this week.

Following the announcement of its five-year partnership with The R&A to become Official Spirit of The Open, Loch Lomond has partnered with Colin Montgomerie.

Montgomerie will work with the brand to promote its single malt portfolio, including two limited-editions created to mark The 147th Open at Carnoustie.

To celebrate Record Store Day 2018, Blade Hairclubbing in London partnered with Four Roses Bourbon for a day celebrating some of the best music around. 

The London hair studio and cocktail bar invited music fans to bring along their favourite records to play while they received treatments.

Blade Hairclubbing also served up its Purple Rain cocktails, inspired by the album from singer-songwriter Prince.

Seasonal pop-up The Magic Roundabout has returned to London’s Old Street for its final summer season of events.

With an urban jungle theme, The Magic Roundabout features glowing neon lights, a paradise waterfall and futuristic Avatar-style jungle flora and fauna.

Food and drinks at the venue will come from Smoking Lotus and Burger Bear, and the space will host a number of events over the summer.

On Monday, SB headed to the GQ Food & Drink Awards 2018, presented by Veuve Clicquot Champagne at the Rosewood London hotel.

Upon arrival guests were served Veuve Clicquot Yelow Label Brut and Belvedere ‘Diamond Rye Back’ cocktails.

Those in attendance included Jason Atherton, Ryan Chetiyawardana, Richard Corrigan, Mark Hix, Matt Hobbs, Dylan Jones, Tom Kerridge, and Jamie Oliver.

Soho cocktail bar Swift won the coveted Belvedere Best Bar award, beating London venues Black Rock, Mint Gun Club, The Punch Room and The American Bar in Perthshire.

Diageo Reserve’s premium Irish whiskey brand Roe & Co held its second bartender lock-in session earlier this week.

Taking over the Nuala bar in London, the event was hosted by Peter O’Connor, Roe & Co European brand ambassador.

Roe & Co cocktails were available from the London bar, which hosted an evening of live Irish music and other festivities. 

SB hotfooted across the city to WeWorks in Spitalfields on Wednesday afternoon for a tasting with Beam Suntory Global Travel Retail. The afternoon featured a tasting of the group’s Maker’s Mark and travel retail-exclusive Jim Beam black Extra Aged, as well as a mini masterclass on how to make a Mint Julep. The interactive session involved discussions about key trends within the global travel retail category, including how American whiskey grew 4.7% from 2015-2016 – making it the second largest growth of any category, beaten only by gin.

The group’s portfolio has had an impressive run in travel retail so far, with Jim Beam growing 12.6% in the sector from 2015-2016. Maker’s Mark had an even better year, with sales soaring 35.4% during the same period, while Knob Creek was up 54.1%. Beam Suntory GTR said travel retail will remain a key focus for the group in the coming year, as it endeavours to tap into the discerning travel market.

SB travelled to Dublin this week and the home of Jameson Irish whiskey for a preview of its latest release, Jameson Bow Street 18 Years Cask Strength.

With the chance to tour the newly opened visitor centre, SB’s Owen Bellwood attempted to blend his own 18-year-old Jameson expression and learned about the history of the Irish whiskey brand.

The visit also included a trip to the on-site maturation warehouse, which holds just 84 barrels of 18-year-old Jameson whiskey.

Premium vodka brand Sauvelle opened its latest pop-up cocktail bar at 69 & Boston bar in London this week.

For the pop-up, the space was transformed into a wild forest with some of London’s best bartenders mixing up a number of signature serves made with Sauvelle Vodka.

The pop-up was the second of its kind for the French vodka brand.

SB‘s Nicola Carruthers headed to Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill for a special dinner to celebrate the launch of Martell Blue Swift, ahead of London’s first Cognac Show.

The expression is the brand’s first spirit made from 100% Martell VSOP Cognac and finished in Kentucky Bourbon casks.
Martell cellar master Christophe Valtaud, the ninth cellar master in the brand’s history, guided guests through a tasting of Cordon Bleu Cognac, Blue Swift and the exclusive L’or de Jean Martell.

The Cognac experience for SB continued on Thursday when Melita Kiely headed to The Connaught hotel in London for an exclusive preview of the new Rémy Martin Carte Blanche II Cognac. Hosted by cellar master Baptists Loiseau, the evening comprised a tasting of various Rémy Martin Cognacs, including an unaged eau-de-vie, the brand’s XO expression and, of course, the Carte Blanche II release.