Tales of the Cocktail in pictures: Part one
It wouldn’t be Tales of the Cocktail without a party or two, and SB has just the ticket to the hottest gigs in town.
Bombay Sapphire’s Raj Negra explains the attraction of gin and its global domination in a 15-minute #SED Talk. “Innovations, regardless of right or wrong, are driving people toward gin,” he said. “However the category is blurring the lines between classic and contemporary styles.”
Ryan Chetiyawardana, aka Mr. Lyan, demonstrates exactly what makes him a world class bartender at a two-hour residency at Tujague’s. This Dynamic Duo event, named Tiki Tocky – The Past & Future of Tiki Cocktails, saw Chets team up with Tujagues’ Brian Kientz. Incidentally, the bar is the very place where the Grasshopper was reputedly invented by then owner Philip Guichet in the 1950s.
The Tiki trend continued the same night with a visit to Beachbum Berry’s new bar, Latitude 29 at the grand Bienville House Hotel.
Never one to disappoint, William Grant pushed the boat out once again at its portfolio party, Yonderyear 2084. Some kind of futuristic festival where techno was played by a Stormtrooper took over New Orleans’ WWII Museum for the night. This particular contraption – a Negroni machine operated by a metallic magician and bartender dressed in a dragon costume – belongs to Hendricks, of course.
Whiskey author Fred Minnick commanded a packed room for his seminar, The Audacity of Sourced Whiskey. According to the panel, when it comes to labelling there is marketing fluff, and then there’s just straight lying. Honesty is the way forward.
On to day two and Scotland’s malt ambassadors got a little scrappy as the competition between Beam Suntory, William Grant and Diageo heated up at the MMA: Multiple Malt Ambassadors Face Off! seminar. Glenfiddich’s Struan Grant and Balvenie’s Lorne Cousin found themselves the winners of the tasting battle, which was decided by the audience. Good job they weren’t being judged on their put-downs.
Nightjar was transported from London to New Orleans courtesy of a collaboration with Vantguard, producer of Gin Mare, Capucana cachaca and Ysabel Regina. In true Nightjar style, head bartender Marion Beke served extravagant drinks from a unique menu printed on playing cards.
Some brands will do anything to drum up support for their tasting room or seminar. Fratelli Branca sent a baroque lady to woo the crowds at Hotel Monteleone’s foyer and entice them along to the Italian Icons seminar.
Another day, another seminar. There’s so much to choose from at Tales that it’s impossible to see everything. Thursday’s lineup consisted of #SED Talks by Mortlach ambassador Georgie Bell and Bacardi’s Jacob Briars; a spirited discussion on sourced American whiskey, and a few serious bar fights.
