The week in pictures

London bar and restaurant The Ivy Aisa celebrated its opening in St Paul’s with a VIP party featuring taiko drummers, stilt walkers and sumo wrestlers.

Opening in the heart of the city, The Ivy Asia hosted VIP guests including former olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton, radio presenter Jenni Falconer and TV presenter Vick Hope at the opening party.

Over the course of the evening, guests were treated to signature cocktails, saké and Champagne, as well as a variety of live entertainment.

Rum brand Bacardi brought its Rum Room activation to New York this week, hosting a select group of celebrity rum enthusiasts at the pop-up.

Guests including singer-songwriter Jhene Aiko were served up a host of Bacardi cocktails that showcased the brand’s portfolio. As guests explored the rage, they were invited to experience a host of sensory experiences, including an edible greenery wall and a cigar rolling station.

The Churchill Bar & Terrace in London has launched its autumnal cocktail menu, featuring drinks inspired by the “different facets of Churchill”.

Developed by head bartender Giacomo Guarnera and his team, the Shades of Winston Churchill menu features The Lover, made with Vodka Beluga, nutmeg syrup, double cream and strawberry chutney, and The Writer, which combines gin, custard mix, lemon juice, rhubarb and ginger jam and egg white.

Botanically brewed mixer brand Fentimans has opened a life-size gingerbread house activation in London.

Taking over Skylight Rooftop, the winter activation features a life-size recreation of a festive gingerbread house, where drinkers can sample cocktails made using Fentimans Pink Ginger.

Running until January 2020, the Fentimans Pink Gingerbread House can fit groups of eight and can be booked for three-hour slots throughout the festive season.

London’s St Giles Hotel hosted its third annual Abseil Charity Event, which saw CEO Abigail Tan and other thrill-seeking staff members rappel down the hotel. 

Staff from the London hotel abseiled down its 10 storeys, covering 164 feet – the equivalent of 30 London taxis stacked on top of each other. 

This year’s Abseil raised £7,000 (US$9,000) for UK-based charity Street Child United, which aims to provide a global platform for street children to be heard.

Blended Scotch whisky brand J&B Rare teamed up with spirits writers Neil Ridley and Joel Harrison to host a Hard Seltzer masterclass this week. 

Taking over London bar Black Rock, the event saw attendees sample a selection of seltzer serves created by Ridley and Harrison. 

Speaking at the event, Ridley and Harrison said: “We firmly believe that the hard seltzer is the next big trend in drinks in the UK. With this masterclass we want to encourage guests to explore the versatility of Scotch whisky, with a very on-trend look at the hard seltzer and how J&B Rare can be part of the leading spirits, all wrapped up in a cool, engaging masterclass.”

Elderflower liqueur brand St-Germain has collaborated with Gordon Ramsay’s Heddon Street Kitchen to create its Winter Bloom Experience.

Designed by florist Emily Baylis of June in March, the space aims to become a “stunning winter setting” where drinkers can enjoy a menu of bespoke serves.

Visitors to the Winter Bloom Experience can sample seasonal dishes paired with St-Germain cocktails, including the Cidre Chaud, Le Grand Fizz and Glory of Expedition.

Swedish vodka brand Absolut will open its Elyx Boutique at high-end department store Magasin Du Nord, in Copenhagen.  

Visitors to the boutique will be able to purchase a range of copper gift boxes and accessories, including a cocktail shaker inspired by the gnomes that feature in Swedish folklore. 

Guests at the pop-up can also visit the Absolut Elyx bar, which serves signature Elyx martinis and a revisited Elyx Spritz. 

Eight Lands Organic Speyside Gin and Vodka is gearing up for Christmas in partnership with London restaurant and bar Novikov.

The Speyside brand will be visible during the venue’s Christmas market, which kicked off yesterday (28 November) and will run until tomorrow (Saturday 30 November).

Taking place at Mayfair Place, Eight Lands will be the exclusive spirit at the annual event. Visitors will be able to sample Eight Lands’ award-winning expressions – such as Eight Lands Vodka paired with Novikov’s Selected Caviar.

Eight Lands Gin will also be available to sample as part of a “decadent” serve, made with organic raspberries and heather honey.

Jameson Distillery Bow St has been named the World’s Leading Distillery Tour at the World Travel Awards (WTA) for the second year in a row.

“This award is an acknowledgement of the incredible work of our team at Bow St, who provide every visitor with an unforgettable and unique experience and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their passion and dedication,” said Greg Hughes, managing director, Jameson brand homes at Irish Distillers.

The 26th World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2019 took place at the Royal Opera House Muscat, Oman.

Last Friday, SB headed to Frederick’s in Angel, London, for the annual Global Spirits Masters Awards Lunch.

Medal winners from a vast range of this year’s blind-tasting competitions, spanning vodka and gin, to Scotch and Tequila, gathered to receive their deserved awards, and discover the Grand Master winners of 2019.

Taking home the coveted accolade of Overall Grand Spirit Master was the Atom Brands team, pictured above. For a full round-up of this year’s winners, see the January 2020 issue of The Spirits Business magazine.