The week in pictures
The final of the Manchester heat of the Opihr World Adventure Competition took place at Tattu bar and restaurant on Tuesday. Joe Macbeth of Rub Smokehouse & Bar, Nottingham won the heat and will go on to the global final in Marrakech on 18 September.
Italian spirits authority Giuseppe Gallo is reviving the rosolio aperitivo category with the launch of Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, created using a recipe dating back to the 1800s. At the launch event, which took place at the Beaufort Bar at The Savoy Hotel in London, P(OUR) Symposium co-founders Simone Caporale and Alex Kratena created two bespoke Italicus cocktails for guests to enjoy.
The Appleton Estate Rum bus headed to the Foodies Festival at Alexandra Palace from the 27-29 August. Campari-owned Appleton Rum’s activation featured a rum bus with three cocktails on offer, including the Appleton Estate Mai Tai, Jamaica Mule and Jamaican Rum Punch. The brand also hosted rum masterclasses in front of the rum bus, where guests had the chance to taste different Appleton Rum brands, make a cocktail and learn more about the brand’s heritage.
The London Gin Festival returned to Tobacco Docks in London from 26 – 28 August, showcasing more than 100 gins including new producers, entertainment and talks from gin experts.
Irish Distillers has launched Redbreast Lustau Edition, a permanent expression described as a “twist” on the brand’s core Sherry-influenced single pot still whiskey. The no-age-statement whiskey was launched last night (1 September) during an event at the Bodegas Lustau in Jerez, Spain.
Leblon Cachaça exceeded its goal of US$50,000 for Developing Minds Foundation through its #LEBLONRoadTriptoRio initiative across the United States, Europe and Brazil. From May to August 2016 the Road to Rio tour spanned 70 cities in three continents, travelling more than 18,000 miles and raised US$51,429.51 for the Developing Minds Foundation, a charity that builds schools and supports education in Rocinha and City of God.
Harley-Davidson enthusiasts who gathered in the Highlands for the annual Thunder in the Glens motorbike rally descended on Speyside Distillery to be presented with commemorative bottlings produced to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the event. Speyside Distillery is the home of Beinn Dubh – an unusual ruby-black coloured whisky – which was launched at Thunder in the Glens last year. It won rave reviews from thousands of bikers at the event, which is the biggest Harley-Davidson rally in Europe.
From 1-4 September, Willliams GB Gin and Chase Vodka has been chosen as the official gin and vodka sponsors for Landrover Burghley Horse Trials. The partnership will see Williams GB Gin and Chase Vodka exclusively stocked at the event, while the bespoke Chase Horsebox Bar will be situated at the heart of the cross country course, in Burghley Park’s Discovery Valley.
Maxxium UK is rolling out its Masters of the Famous Blend bartender engagement programme for The Famous Grouse family in 2016 in Leeds (7 September) and Bristol (27 September). The first of these events will take place in Leeds at Shear’s Yard, and brings together the senior team behind The Famous Grouse including new master blender, Kirsteen Campbell; master of wood, Stuart MacPherson; global brand ambassador, Lucy Whitehall; and master of mixology David Miles from the Maxxium Mixxit team. The team will visit each city to provide insight into how The Famous Grouse is crafted, and introduce the full family range.
Patrón Tequila announced it will be the exclusive spirits partner of the 19th annual GQ Men of the Year Awards and category sponsor of the Patrón Tequila Solo Artist of the Year Award, taking place on 6 September in London. Patrón will be serving both signature as well as tailor-made Patrón cocktails at the main awards ceremony and after-party, including the Patrónic (Patrón and tonic), Perfect Patrón Margarita, Patrón Espresso Martini and a GQ Old Fashioned cocktail with Patrón Añejo for the occasion.
In honour of National Bourbon Heritage Month in September, Jim Beam celebrates the historic month with a throwback to the past through iconic images of the brands history. Pictured here is Frederick Booker Noe II, Jim Beam’s grandson who became master distiller at the Kentucky plant in 1960, posing in front of a billboard on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
