The week in pictures

Jamie Johnson, The Balvenie brand ambassador for Canada, this week completed her general certificate in distilling at the Institute of Brewing and Distilling.
Johnson completed a comprehensive two-hour exam and scored more than 80%, earning her a ‘credit pass’.

“Whisky has been my passion for many years and I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to refine my knowledge and earn a prominent and respected global qualification,” she said.

Independent Scotch whisky bottler Douglas Laing & Co celebrated its 70th anniversary with a special event to thank customers, suppliers and employees.

More than 120 people attended the anniversary event, held earlier this week at Glasgow’s historic Merchants House venue in the city centre.

The party was entertained by a variety of performers, including leading drum and pipe band Clanadonia, while they enjoyed an elaborate whisky-themed dinner accompanied by various Douglas Laing limited edition bottlings.

Hendrick’s Gin this week announced it will return to Nuit Blanche Toronto with a multi-sensory, all-night experience.

The William Grant & Sons-owned gin brand will bring its 65-foot L.E.V.I.T.A.T.R.E. (Levitating, Elevating, Voluminous, Illuminating, Tantalising, Amazingly, Towering, Roaming, Eye) to the festival, which will elevate golden ticket holders to 44 ¼ cucumbers (44.25 feet) to soar from sunset to sunrise for a special birds-eye view of the city.

This week, The Kraken Black Spiced Rum unveiled its latest campaign, which stars The Walking Dead actor Tom Payne.

The 30-second television spot opens in a dimly lit bar, with the audience transported into a weathered, shadowy atmosphere – said to be reminiscent of old maritime haunts

The advert features an encounter with a mythical giant squid-like sea monster, which is recounted in “tavern tall-tale glory” by Payne.

Premium soft drink manufacturer Franklin & Sons has launched the Franklin Friday Gin-stant delivery service, offering thirsty London office workers the chance to win a free supply of its ready-to-drink canned G&Ts.

To be in with a chance of receiving a supply of the canned Portobello Road gin and tonics, office workers in the capital should follow @FranklinandSons on Instagram and upload this photo of the Franklin’s Morris Minor onto their Instagram page with the hashtag #FranklinFriday and the office name.

This week, The Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel was awarded the title of Best Bar in the Virtuoso Best of the Best World Travel Awards.

The global luxury travel network honoured The Donovan Bar at their annual awards ceremony in Las Vegas.

The venue was the only London property to be recognised out of more than 1,300 hotels, resorts, villas and retreats in over 100 countries.

Altos Tequila hosted a two-day educational event in Mexico as part of its Tahona Society Collective Spirit competition.

The summit was designed to inspire bartenders about the quality and provenance of Tequila and the importance of sustainability in bartending and included the brand’s annual local mentoring seminar in Mexico.

For the contest, bartenders have one month to come up with a new sustainable initiative, event or project that benefits bar staff, customers, the community or the environment.

Entries for the competition can be submitted online at tahonasociety.com

The Ivy Soho Brasserie has partnered with luxury Swedish vodka, Absolut Elyx, to celebrate Soho’s history of fun, theatre and entertainment with its cabaret-themed brunch series.

Until 16 September, The Ivy Soho Brasserie’s façade has been dressed in a wall of glittering sequins, mirror balls, copper roses and flowers, all inspired by Soho’s heritage as London’s party quarter and Absolut Elyx’s “unique” copper distillation process.

Guests will be able to enjoy two exclusive cocktails throughout the series, the Absolut 29, which combines Absolut Elyx Vodka, Cointreau, pineapple, berries, lime and Prosecco; and the Red Elyxir, which adds Absolut Elyx Vodka to red fruit tea, Earl Grey tincture, lime, agave and soda.

This week The Spirits Business was invited along to London’s newest whisky bar, Iron Stag in Shoreditch, to sample some of the cocktails and food on offer.

The venue has been opened by chef Adam Handling alongside Scout owner Matt Whiley and the head of spirit and cocktail development at Duck & Waffle, Rich Woods.

The menu includes several bottled and kegged cocktails as well as an extensive whisky list and selection of bar snacks, SB highly recommends the cheese donuts.

Cornish rum brand Dead Man’s Fingers popped up in Shoreditch this week with its SkullCuts barbershop, which offered Londoners free styling and scalp treatments.

The Halewood-owned rum brand launched its SkullCuts unisex barber shop in London, specialising only in close to the bone styles and scalp treatments.

SkullCuts was created by global brand experience agency Sense and aims to implant the brand’s skull iconography into spaces where the next generation of rum drinkers can be found.

London-based restaurant Madison London is preparing to host an Ibiza-style party over the bank holiday weekend with live DJs from 24 to 27 August.

The restaurant’s rooftop will host DJ’s including Evo & RST and Madbrunch, and will be serving up “contemporary cocktails with a twist”.

Guest will be able to enjoy the Under The Tree, made from banana-infused rum, lemon, sugar and pineapple; and the Jalisco Mule, which combines Patrón Tequila with lime and ginger beer.