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William Grant takes on-trade initiative to three UK cities

Following its “successful” debut in Edinburgh last October, William Grant & Sons is taking its bartender initiative Unwrapped to three new UK cities this year.

The William Grant & Sons UK brand ambassador team

The inaugural Unwrapped: The other side of bartending event took place in October last year, and featured a series of talks from William Grant & Sons UK brand ambassadors.

The scheme is designed to provide the hospitality industry with “key insights, knowledge and skills to enrich their careers and personal growth”.

Last year’s event received an “overwhelmingly positive response”, attracting more than 120 guests and raising more than £2,000 (US$2,600) for Sane, a UK mental health charity.

Unwrapped will head to Bristol on 25 March, Manchester on 13 May and London in November.

The Bristol event, which will be held at multi-arts venue Watershed, will feature “immersive” brand experiences including Disaronno’s speed sours competition and live street art by Sailor Jerry rum.

From 8pm to midnight, brand ambassadors and the Monkey Shoulder SWAT team will take over the bar at James Bond-inspired cocktail haunt HMSS. The evening will include a Hendrick’s Tini Martini welcome with pygmy goats. All proceeds from the event will go to Sane.

The following morning, Reyka Vodka will take bartenders on an Adventurivity Paddle Boarding experience.

Fabiano Latham, Reyka Vodka UK brand ambassador, said: “Through this initiative we can reach like-minded individuals, share our passion and provide today’s bartenders with tools and advice to best equip them for success in this amazing industry – something which is really close to all of our hearts.”

To attend, email wgsuk.events@wgrant.com or speak to one of the brand ambassadors.

Check out the full schedule for Unwrapped in Bristol below:

From 11am-3.15pm

  • The power of storytelling – held by Mark Thomson, Glenfiddich brand ambassador to Scotland
  • Opening a bar – hosted by Rod Elsamieh, Disaronno UK brand ambassador
  • The courage to be happy – hosted by Stephanie Rainbow, Tia Maria UK brand ambassador
  • Bar:ography – presented by John Wayte, Monkey Shoulder UK brand ambassador
  • How to train your nose – hosted by Alwynne Gwilt, The Balvenie UK brand ambassador
  • Be your world’s best bartender – hosted by EmmaLi Stenhouse, Sailor Jerry UK brand ambassador
  • Keeping good spirits in good spirits – presented by Calum Fraser, premium spirits specialist
  • Adventurivity: exploring the link between nature and creativity – hosted by Fabiano Latham, Reyka UK brand ambassador
  • Gift wrapping experiences – presented by Tim Pryde, Hendrick’s Gin distillery ambassador
  • Chris Baker, from UK drinks industry charity The Benevolent, will introduce the #notalone campaign

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