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The week in pictures

Speyside distillery Glenfiddich named bartender Johnny Tsai and chef Yu Lee from Taiwan as the victors in its World’s Most Experimental Bartender competition this week.

The competition asked bartenders from around the world to partner with artisans outside the whisky industry to create drinks that celebrate Glenfiddich.

Tsai, of Bar TCRC, and Lee, of Ninao Gelato, impressed with their creation, Xiao Long Fiddich, which combined Taiwanese bao buns with Glenfiddich. The pair froze the buns using dry ice before filling them with Glenfiddich-infused raisins, wax gourd candy, homemade maple syrup bacon and cashew nuts.

This week saw the Twisted Bar Pop-Up in east London unveil a new cocktail menu determined by its social media followers.

The pop-up in Shoreditch features drinks selected according to the viewing preferences of its Instagram followers.

Drinks on the bar’s menu include the Paradise Daiquiri Fishbowl, which is a combination of a “slushified” Strawberry Daiquiri and Piña Colada; and the Cookies & Cream White Russian, which is made from Oreo milk, vodka, Kahlua, vanilla syrup and chocolate.

Scottish gin brand Edinburgh Gin made its debut as the Official Spirit of the 2018 British Academy Scotland Awards.

At a glittering awards ceremony this week, the brand treated guests to specially created cocktails and developed a series of personalised gin experiences.

VIPs also enjoyed Edinburgh Gin gift boxes featuring a handcrafted, personalised bottle of Edinburgh Gin Classic alongside a cocktail recipe named in their honour.

Scotch whisky brand Glen Moray celebrated Old Fashioned Week at The Union Club in Soho London, with spirits experts Neil Ridley and Joel Harrison hosting a masterclass on the history of the cocktail.

The evening was also hosted by UK marketing manager, Jordan Knight, and saw the assembled guests create cocktails using the brand’s Port cask-finished, Sherry-cask finished and peated expressions.

London rooftop venue Skylight at Tobacco Dock opened for its winter season this week.

The rooftop bar will feature a rooftop ice rink and a number of cosy igloos and huts. Heated après skate bars will be serving an array of warming winter cocktails, alongside an extensive menu of beers, ciders and mulled wine.

The venue’s street food offering has expanded to include the Raclette Brothers, who have brought their signature Alpine treats to Skylight’s rooftop.

SB travelled to The Palm Court at The Sheraton Grand Hotel on London’s Park Lane for the launch of its 1920s-themed evenings.

At 19:20 every Wednesday evening, the bar is transformed into a 1920s drinking den with Prohibition-era cocktails and a live jazz singer.

At the launch of 19:20 at The Palm Court, which runs until February 2019, SB was treated to French 75 and Sidecar cocktails while Charlseton dancers performed.

Campari-owned Bourbon brand Wild Turkey this week announced its partnership with barber shop Murdock London to keep beards trim and ‘taches tamed.

Together they will be giving men the expertise to look sharp and mix drinks like a pro during the Go with the Grain sessions. Plus, for those who book a treatment at any Murdock London barbershop throughout the month of November, there is also a free Wild Turkey 101 Old Fashioned cocktail on offer.

Cocktail bar Heads + Tails opened its doors in London’s West Hampstead this week.

The new venue from Will Partridge and Chris Dennis is a bar of contrasts, with two distinct areas making up the late night venue.

Upstairs, drinkers will find Heads – which serves light cocktails, gins, wines and aperitivo drinks. Meanwhile, the Downstairs area offers a dark, atmospheric basement bar specialising in whiskies and rums.

After a sold out series earlier this year, The Espresso Martini Society has returned to London with a festive twist on the “world’s largest Espresso Martini menu”.

The pop-up launches in Shoreditch today (9 November) offering imbibers the chance to sample 20 varieties of the iconic cocktail.

The Espresso Martini Society will set up shop in London until 15 December.

This week, cocktail syrup manufacturer Monin hosted its Low and No ABV Sessions, which invited guests to explore their favourite flavours in a number of low-abv cocktails.

The Monin Studio in London’s Hoxton helped imbibers to discover their personal flavour profile, which was then used to craft their dream alcohol-free cocktail.

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