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The week in pictures

Scotch whisky brand BenRiach has teamed up with Scottish artist Ellis O’Connor to create a series of paintings inspired by the landscape, architecture and surroundings of the Speyside distillery.

O’Connor has been commissioned to create a trio of landscapes influenced by the three casks used to make the BenRiach 10 Year Old. The collection will be crafted at her studio on the outer Hebridean island of North Uist before being exhibited in London.

O’Connor said: “Speyside is renowned for its big skies, fast flowing river and of course, whisky, so when the opportunity arose to bring this climatic corner of Scotland to life on canvas on behalf of its most creative distillery, I jumped at the chance.”

Spiced rum brand Kraken opened its Halloween immersive bar Kraken Screamfest: The Director’s Cut this week.

Held on 31 October and 1 November, the immersive activation promised a “terrifying experience” for horror fans. Created in partnership with Hellboy director Neil Marshall, Kraken Screamfest offered horror-themed decor, sinister Kraken cocktails and “surprises lurking around every corner”.

Marshall said: “I’ve been working closely with Kraken Rum for months to ensure the experience ticks all the right boxes for horror fans. From the outset my aim has been simple: to ensure everyone who comes through the doors leaves with haunting, recurring nightmares.”

The first students from a new course in brewing and distilling from Technological University Dublin have graduated.

The course, which launched in September 2017, was developed in partnership with Chinnery Spirits’ Marie Byrne, who identified a skills gap in the Irish Brewing and Distilling industry brought on by rapid growth in the sector.

Byrne said: “This is a hugely significant step forward in the evolution of the Irish drinks industry. This degree course with its unrivalled education, research projects and work placements is the first and most crucial step towards addressing current skills gaps.”

Irish whiskey brand Tullamore Dew launched its latest bottling in the UK this week with a tasting and masterclass at London bar Nine Lives.

Hosted by Distillery Ambassador Kevin Piggot, the evening was a chance to sample Tullamore Dew XO Rum Cask and featured a masterclass from the team at London bar Homeboy.

John Quinn, global brand ambassador for Tullamore Dew, said: “At our Tullamore Distillery, we are constantly experimenting with our whiskey making. Tullamore Dew XO Caribbean Rum Cask Finish was just one of many trials inspired by our work on the Beauty of Blend, but immediately stood out to our whiskey makers as being something truly special.”

On Tuesday (29 October), SB headed to London bar Lyaness to learn more about its latest cocktail menu with the bar’s founder, Ryan Chetiyawardana, aka Mr Lyan.

The evening was a chance to learn more about the new ingredients used in the menu, including Peach Emoji, Vegan Honey, Lyaness Tea-mooth and Golden Levain.

During the evening, SB sampled the Tot Negroni, Tatie Milk Punch and Cereal Martini, the latter of which was made with Ketel One vodka, Golden Levain and seeded vermouth.

This week, the new barrel warehouse at Finnish distillery Kyrö received an architecture award.

Built on the edge of a forest in Isokyrö, Finland, the new warehouse was opened in August 2018 to increase capacity for the brand’s growing whisky production.

Designed by Avanto Architects, the warehouse features moulded concrete cladding that has been treated to resemble blackened wood.

During the 15th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention, a team from Cheng International showcased its Fenjiu baijiu range to global businesses and entrepreneurs.

Held at the Excel centre in London, this was the first time that the biennial event, which is now in its 28th year, has taken place in Europe. The convention saw high-profile visitors, including secretary of state for international trade Liz Truss and the Chinese ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, visit stands and speak with exhibitors.

Earlier this week, SB headed to luxury London hotel The Savoy to sample the latest menu at its Beaufort Bar.

The new cocktail menu explores the “fabled history, dark drama and timeless romance” of magic, and features cocktails inspired by magical figures, including characters from Greek myths and fairytales, radical inventors, modern day scientists and some of the world’s most famous magicians.

The bar’s Intrepid Magic menu is split into three sections, each named after one of the “three pillars” of a magic trick – The Pledge, The Turn and The Prestige.

GT3 motorsports endurance racing team Rooster Rojo J2-Racing is celebrating the end of its 2019 season after showing strong race performance and achieving multiple podium finishes.

The team, which is sponsored by Amber Beverage Group-owned Tequila brand Rooster Rojo, won one race in its first GT3 season and claimed multiple second place finishes.

John Shoffner, Rooster Rojo J2-Racing driver, said: “It has been a challenging and very wet season with rain and sometimes snow slowing down the pace on track. Pushing a GT3 at the limit is a tricky thing and takes time to master. But with a good team like Get Speed Performance and a co-driver like Fabian Schiller we are encouraged by the result and look forward to continuing the story in 2020.”

Nicaraguan rum brand Flor de Caña celebrated the launch of its 30-year-old rum this week at an exclusive event at Sydney’s Restaurant Hubert.

The 30-year-old rum is the oldest release from the brand to date, and to celebrate its launch in the southern hemisphere brand ambassadors and Flor de Caña owner Don Carlos Pellas hosted the exclusive evening.

Flor de Caña V Generaciones will be available in select Australian stockists, including Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney; Liquor on Oxford, Darlinghurst; Nick’s Wine Merchants, Doncaster East; and Seabreeze Cellars, Dromana.

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