The week in pictures
Cognac house Martell continued with its 300th anniversary celebrations at a glittering party which took place this week at the historic Palace of Versailles in France. Actress Diane Kruger, who was recently revealed as the brand’s new ambassador for 2015, was in attendance alongside Martell’s CEO Phillippe Guettate.
After a private tour of the Palace, guests experienced an exclusive fly past over Versailles by the Patrouille de France. Guests were then invited to attend an exclusive preview of an experiential exhibition representing each stage of Martell’s Cognac creation. After tasting cocktails created especially for the brand’s Tricentenaire, all 300 guests took their seats for a fully immersive gastronomic experience created exclusively for Martell by the world-renowned French chef Paul Pairet.
Of the 300 VIPs invited to the celebration were a number of famous faces, including Olivia Palermo, Solange Knowles and Naomie Harris.
Taking inspiration from the most iconic Campari artworks from the brand’s history, the Campari Red Night District installation opened on Thursday evening. The attraction, at The Hoxton Gallery in Shoreditch, invited guests to explore “Italian sophistication and style” through a creative imaginings of renowned East London art collective Moniker Projects – while sipping on a Campari and Tonic followed by a Negroni. The exhibition will be open to the public until June 10, along with its sister Art Deco showcase at Dreambags JaguarShoes.
Blakes Hotel Kensington has collaborated with British designer Matthew Williamson and installation artists Rebecca Louise Law, to unveil The Hendricks Horticultural Oasis which opened on Wednesday. The designers have decked out Blakes courtyard, where Hendricks will serve a range of inspired cocktails – using fresh herbs from the garden – for guests as they relax in the surroundings. The “bohemian hideaway” will be open to the public until July 14.
Bacardi celebrated its Bacardi Rum Cuban Independence Day with performances by talented Cuban musicians, including Grammy award-winning drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez and Grammy nominated vocalist and percussionist Pedrito Martinez (both pictured). The evening also saw the premiere of Untameable, a three-minute documentary featuring El Negro.
Last weekend saw the global celebrations of World Whisky Day, which conquered all seven continents in its fourth year. The event finally witnessed its first celebrations in Antarctica when researchers from the Australian Antarctic Division held a celebratory whisky tasting. World Whisky Day was recently sold by founder Blair Bowmore to luxury drinks title Hot Rum Cow.
On Tuesday, SB headed to the cocktail bar at Craft London, located in the new cultural hub of Greenwich Peninsula, to sample a cocktail list curated by Adam Wyett Jones which focuses on sourcing small batch British products. We sampled drinks such as the Quince Gimlet – made from Gin, quince and Absinthe – and the Lavender Air Mail, made with Pusser’s Navy Rum, Prosecco, SE10 honey and lavender.
David Beckham appeared on US talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live answering “Three Ridiculous Questions” while enjoying a glass of his Haig Club whisky brand. The star was asked which was his favourite spice, to which he answered, “Posh, definitely Posh”. The sketch ended with Kimmel claiming: “Haig Club Scotch whisky, the answer to all life’s ridiculous questions”.
The wine trade flocked to London Wine Fair this week, where drinks trade charity The Benevolent unveiled its new stand for the year – a wacky 1969 Bedford Bus.
Eden Mill Distillery announced that it plans to launch a new festival in St Andrews later this year celebrating Scottish gin making. The event will include a series of activities involving at least seven top Scottish craft gin makers. “Scottish distilleries are leading the way throughout the world in the development of great tasting, innovative and exciting craft gins,” said Paul Miller, managing director of Eden Mill. “It is a privilege for us to able to showcase these in such a great setting.”
Diageo extended its Johnnie Walker House activations with a new location in Singapore Changi Airport. The experience features a multi-sensory retail setting, by emitting the six flavour characteristics of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
Glenmorangie announced this week that it will be sponsoring The Open golf tournament for a fourth year. In addition to presence onsite at The Open, the brand will partner with gaming company World Golf Tour to launch the Glenmorangie & St Andrews golf simulator experience, which will be unveiled by brand ambassador Tony Jacklin (pictured) in London’s Victoria station next month.
Khortytsa Vodka, imported to the US from Kazakhstan was the official sponsor of the Gennady Golovkin v. Willie Monroe Middleweight World Championship fight held last weekend in Los Angeles, where Golovkin successfully defended his titles.
Absolut Vodka unveiled a “creative space” made from recycled vodka transport containers, which will act as a hub for innovators to help the group find sustainable packaging solutions. The Absolut Company has invited 16 innovators – made up of designers, engineers and students – to take part in a “hackathon” in the building.
Judges gathered at Bam Bou’s Red Bar in London to put entries for the Swizzle Masters Martini Twist round through their paces. Talented head bartender Mimi Lorandova tended the bar, expertly recreating each entry for our panel to sample. Winner to be announced in the next issue!
