The week in pictures

Captain Morgan rum has recruited comedian and actor Adam Devine for the latest iteration of its Live Like a Captain campaign.

As part of the partnership, Devine, known for his appearances in The Lego Batman Movie and Pitch Perfect 2, has been dubbed Captain Morgan’s ‘chief party officer’.

In the newest iteration of Live Like a Captain, Devine visits Captain Morgan’s house party in a new video that began running online yesterday to mark National Rum Day (16 August). The spot will make its television debut in October.

This week, Grey Goose treated SB to an incredible evening of cinema at this year’s Film 4 Summer Screen at Somerset House.

The Bacardi-owned vodka brand is hosting the Behind the Screen series, which features interviews and talks from some of the brightest creative minds from the world of cinema.

SB attended a talk with set designer Stella Fox, known for her work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and art director James Price, who worked on Paddington and Kill Your Friends, before watching Christopher Nolan’s Inception on the courtyard’s big screen.

An archaeological dig around the site of Islay’s Dunyvaig Castle began earlier this week following a donation from Diageo-owned Lagavulin Distillery.

The Lagavulin 200th Legacy fund has enabled Scottish charity Islay Heritage to undertake an excavation of the castle, which was once a stronghold of the chiefs of the Clan MacDonald and sits on a peninsula adjacent to the Lagavulin Distillery.

The excavation, which comes after a year of planning, will assess the preservation and potential of underground structures, and also explore the surrounding landscape.

This week saw blended Scotch whisky brand Compass Box name Rosey Mitchell the winner of its The Circle cocktail competition.

Mitchell, from Three Sheets in London, wowed the judging panel, which included Ryan Chetiyawardana of Super Lyan, Matt Whiley of Scout, Sandrae Lawrence of The Cocktail Lovers, Ivan Dixon of Enotria & Coe and Compass Box’s John Glaser.

The final saw Mitchell create her own Compass box blend and a signature highball serve, she said: “It’s been an incredible couple of days, something I am so excited to be a part of.”

To mark National Prosecco Day (13 August), Italian liqueur brand Aperol launched its Aperol-ivery service in London and Manchester delivering freshly made Spritz cocktails direct to peoples door.

As part of the service, an Italian bartender arrived at imbibers doors to mix up two refreshing Aperol Spritz cocktails to start the evening off.

Served from Aperol’s vibrant ‘Aperol orange’ Aperitivo Van, the Aperol-ivery service offered drinkers the perfect chance to ‘pimp their prosecco’ and enjoy the taste of the classic Italian aperitivo at home, completely free of charge.

Scotch whisky distillery Talisker has crowned Stefanie Anderson of Bon Vivant, Edinburgh, the second ever winner of the Race to Skye bartender competition.

After wowing the judging panel with her whisky knowledge and signature serves, Anderson has been awarded the title of honorary Talisker ambassador.

She said: “I’m delighted to have won the Race to Skye. I admire the brand in so many ways so I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of the experience and on top of it, win!”

To celebrate National Rum Day (16 August), London rooftop bar and restaurant Bokan served up a host of special rum-based cocktails.

To mark the annual rum celebration, the Isle of Dogs-based venue mixed up cocktails including the Basilisk, made from Mount Gay rum, bergamot, mango and orange, and the Prometheus, which combined Bacardi rum with Rinomato, pineapple, orgeat and lime.

Imbibers were able to show their respect for rum while taking in the views at the sky high venue.

Nicaraguan premium rum brand Flor de Caña hosted the final of its 2018 Rum Frontiers competition at the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh earlier this week, with the venue’s own Lachlan Rooney being crowned winner.

Rooney’s show stopping serve for the final round was made with homemade marmalade, Champagne and Flor de Caña 18 Year Old. His winning drink was inspired by Don Francisco Alfredo Pellas Canessa, the first member of Flor de Caña’s history and was named The Family Tree.

Rooney said: “I was up against some really strong competition and was shocked and surprised to have won this years’ Rum Frontiers challenge.”

The UK finalists of this year’s Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition were announced this week.

Representing northern England, southern England, London, and Scotland, the 2018 UK finalists include Clare Marrow of The Domino Club, Leeds; Maria Kontorravdis of Doctor Inks Curiosities, Exeter; Mike Canham of Faraway Cocktail Club, Bristol; Nicole Sykes of Satan’s Whiskers, east London; Gianluca Payanello of Bar Swift, Soho; and Sarah Berardi of Draffens, Dundee.

The six finalists will go through to the UK national final on 10 September, at Restaurant Ours, London, where they will compete in front of an esteemed panel of judges including Lee Applbaum, chief marketing officer of Patrón Spirits International, and 2017’s Patrón Perfectionists UK winner, Greg Almeida.

It was a busy week for the Bacardi-owned Tequila brand, as Patrón the Summer tour continued at the Houghton Festival in Norfolk this week.

Patrón the Summer has seen the brand partner with acclaimed Mexican eatery El Pastor, who served up tacos, guac, and salsas, all complimented by a selection of vibrant Patrón Tequila cocktails.

The Norfolk festival is a celebration of the best electronic music and featured performances from Ben UFO, Joy Orbison and Prosumer.

To celebrate the launch of its Sour Cherry Gin expression, Luxardo launched its 1821 pop-up bar this week, which will be in London until 9 September.

The one-month-long bar in east London will be the exclusive on-trade stockist of the new Luxardo Sour Cherry Gin before it is released to the wider market in September.

The pop-up bar will host on-trade masterclasses, a number of parties and surprise nights featuring appearances from internationally renowned bartenders.