Celebrate the end of a four-day week with a toast of some of the finest Whisky’s from around the world. The London Whisky Weekender is back and returns to the popular East London venue, The Oval Space. From only £30 ticket-holders can revel in trying a whole host of new and traditional Whisky’s from American bourbons through to Japanese, Irish, Scotch and more. This year sees a particular emphasis on Old and Rare World Whiskies, along with a programme of unique ‘blendathon’ workshops, tastings, guest appearances from distillers, whisky cocktails, street food and music all weekend, making it the whisky event on the London calendar.
With four sessions to choose from from Friday-Sunday, there will be plenty of time to try, buy and ask any burning questions to the expert exhibitors who include, Talisker, Chivas Brothers, Jamesons and Jura to name a few. Included in the ticket price is a bottle of water, a festival guide and a Glencairn glass for you to try drams from any of the eclectic exhibitors. With the opportunity to try out some of the legends or the newer craft and small batch distilleries, The London Whisky Weekender is your grain-filled oyster. If you’re after something extra special, why not try one of the Under-the Counter drams this gives you a chance to purchase tokens to try some of the more exclusive and rare Whisky’s on offer.
Soaking up the whisky will be a roster of tasty street food offerings and local organic suppliers, whilst a soundtrack of rock and blues will set the tone for a whisky fuelled weekend. We think it’s the hottest ticket for the Weekend, whether you’re a connoisseur or novice, trying something new or enjoying an old favourite, toast away your winter blues with a decent old dram.
JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL, the leading luxury Blended Scotch Whisky, has launched two stunning City Edition bottles, celebrating the spirit of the UK’s most iconic cities: London and Edinburgh.
The intricately-designed limited editions and their striking presentation boxes take the viewer on a journey through the streets of London and Edinburgh, featuring the unique architecture and attractions that make up the cities’ distinctive city skylines.
Only 4,000 of these exquisitely-designed bottles have been created, with each individually hand-numbered to create a must-have gift for whisky enthusiasts and collectors alike.
The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities Collection, which is a series of whiskies from this popular Scotch brand that has engraved on it a cityscape from different regions of the world, is back after its Dubai bottling earlier this year with two new releases. This time around appearing on the bottles are two different cities from the United Kingdom.
The first offering, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label London Edition, features a design on it which includes iconic landmarks of the UK’s capital such as Big Ben, the Gherkin, Nelson’s Column and Tower Bridge. The other new release is the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Edinburgh Edition, and it is set with a design said to pay honor to the Scottish city of the same name. It sports ‘a sweeping, spiral flow from the peak of Edinburgh Castle, including national treasures such as the Scott Monument and the Duke of Wellington alongside the city’s cobbled streets and walls’.
Limited to just 4,000 bottles, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label London and Edinburgh City Editions, noted officials from spirits giant Diageo, are now available in the United Kingdom for around £200 ($315 USD). Available from June, the City Edition bottles are the first to be released outside of travel retail where the new Cities Collection was introduced in February with a bottle depicting Dubai. The previous Skyline Collection in travel retail featured cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Mumbai, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Auckland.
Costing not much more than the standard Johnnie Walker Blue Label, the new City Edition bottles come in bespoke gift boxes with more illustrations of their respective cities. Edinburgh’s depicts Scotland’s national symbol, the thistle, and attractions such as The Balmoral Hotel and Arthur’s Seat, while London’s packaging shows famous icons including St Paul’s Cathedral.
To celebrate the launch of these exclusive limited editions, Johnnie Walker Blue Label has partnered with GŎNG at Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London and Scotch at The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, two of the most iconic landmarks featured within the limited-edition designs, to create to exclusive cocktail serves.
To mark the launch of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label City Edition bottles, the ‘Eagle Eye’ and ‘Famously Edinburgh’ cocktails were created to celebrate the best of these extraordinary cities with the remarkable smoothness of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
‘Eagle Eye’, created by Christian Maspes at GŎNG at Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London explains “Known for their intently watchful, sharp and supreme sight across some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, the eyes of an eagle are estimated to be up to eight times stronger than that of a human’s. The idea of such skill and precision – the same qualities Johnnie Walker apply when creating their rarest blend of whiskies – together with GŎNG’s unrivalled views over London were the inspiration behind the ‘Eagle Eye’, a specially created cocktail to mark the launch of Johnnie Walker Blue Label’s limited City Edition bottle, celebrating London’s iconic skyline.”
45ml Johnnie Walker Blue Label
2-3 dashes Abbott’s Bitters
15ml Barolo Chinato
Homemade strawberry and peppercorn shrub
Garnished with blue ‘Johnnie Walker Striding Man walking stick’ meringue
The ‘Eagle Eye’ is currently available, priced at £17.00, with an ‘on-the-rocks’ version also available upon request.
‘Famously Edinburgh’, created by Fraser Robson, Whisky Ambassador at Scotch, the Whisky Bar at The Balmoral Hotel commented “The inspiration behind the Famously Edinburgh cocktail came from my experience of the City and all that it is known and loved for. I thought about what was famous in the City and how that relates to local people, what they famously enjoy doing and where. Whisky and tea are ingrained in every great Scot. Johnnie Walker is the world’s most famous whisky and here, at the Balmoral, situated at Edinburgh’s most famous address, guests visit for the finest cup of tea in town. These three pillars gave me the basis of my creation. Starting with a double measure of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, I look at how I could incorporate the tea. Edinburgh locals tend to have a sweet tooth so I added a tea-infused sugar syrup as a nod to that Edinburgh tradition. I was careful to ensure that Johnnie Walker Blue Label was at the forefront of the cocktail and selected some whisky barrel-aged bitters and Fino sherry to heighten those flavours. The City and the people of Edinburgh are renowned for their elegant ways, so there was only one piece of glassware for the occasion – a Champagne coupe.”
50ml Johnnie Walker Blue Label
15ml Famous Edinburgh tea-infused sugar syrup
10ml Fino sherry
2 dashes whisky barrel-aged bitters
Orange zest to spray over the glass
The ‘Famously Edinburgh’ is available at Scotch, the whisky bar at The Balmoral Hotel priced at £42.50.
About Johnnie Walker Blue Label Whisky…
JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ is one of the pinnacle offerings from JOHNNIE WALKER.
Only sublime, rare whiskies at the pinnacle of perfection are used in the blending of JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL, with only 1 in 10,000 casks containing whisky of sufficient character to deliver its remarkably smooth signature taste. Each is hand selected by the JOHNNIE WALKER Master Blender himself, part of an unbroken lineage of Master Blenders stretching back over 190 years – it is an ultimate expression of whisky making today and an remarkable achievement for the modern era.
Presented in individually numbered bottles, it is reminiscent of the 19th century style of whiskies. The Master Blender uses his decades of experience to select some of the rarest casks from the JOHNNIE WALKER reserves for their quality, character and flavour to create the powerful, complex, smooth character of BLUE LABEL.
BLUE LABEL has a mellow, rounded nose, with a dry smokiness (a JOHNNIE WALKER signature flavour) mixing with raisin sweetness. It is best savoured with the palate cleansed and cooled by iced water. One sip reveals a velvety mouth-feel, then an explosion of flavour. At once you’ll discover hazelnuts, honey, rose petals, sherry and oranges. Subsequent sips reward you with more hidden secrets like kumquats, wispy aromatic smoke, sandalwood, tobacco, and dark chocolate.
DIAGEO is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
About GŎNG at Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London…
With a dramatic backdrop of unparalleled views, GŎNG, the hotel’s destination bar – and the highest bar in London – brings a new dimension to the city’s social scene. Perfect for sunset cocktails and late-night drinks, the bar offers three lofted areas; a cocktail bar, champagne bar and an infinity pool, for guests to relax and soak in the stunning cityscape.
Uncomplicated and seamless, the bar’s service ensures the ultimate escape from the city’s bustle. Sample one of the delicate, signature cocktails or indulge in rare, vintage champagnes available by the glass.
Please note that GŎNG operates on a walk-in policy basis, however seating is subject to availability at time of arrival. There is a £30 minimum spend policy per person and tables are allocated for two hours.
About Scotch, the Whisky Bar at The Balmoral Hotel…
Presenting Edinburgh’s largest collection of whisky available to the general public, Scotch at The Balmoral Hotel is a chic bar and lounge setting. Enjoy rare vintage drams dating back as far as 1940, accompanied by delicious complementing bar snacks.
With a 400-bottle-strong cellar offered to guests, a luxury stock of blends, malts and vintages are sourced from Speyside, Islay, Campbeltown, the Highlands and the Lowlands. This supreme collection is overseen by Scotch bar’s 3 resident whisky ambassadors, who are always on-hand to advise both novices and connoisseurs.
Scotch whisky bar in Edinburgh also offers a contemporary Scottish food menu, featuring dishes from The Balmoral’s executive chef, Jeff Bland. Knowledgeably-paired nibbles are served as standard with each whisky, with offerings including wild boar salami, and dark Swiss chocolate.
Set within the 5-star Balmoral Hotel, the Scotch bar area is swathed in chocolate-brown leather, mustard velvet and heavy tartan fabrics. Edinburgh Waverley Station is just 2 minutes’ walk away.
Ah, Christmas. The time for overindulgence. Too much food, booze and time spent with people you have to people you love dearly. No having to go to work in the morning, just bad TV and lying comatose on the coach. It truly is magical. To help the magic along we have started our Christmas Alcohol Reviews. Here are our top picks to buy the people who have been very, very good this year.
Snow Leopard Vodka
This vodka (made with spelt, the so-called ‘grandfather of grains’) was created by a passionate conservationist determined to save these critically endangered big cats. Which is why we should all buy one this Christmas.
Stephen Sparrow, an ex-drinks industry expert, heard about the snow leopard’s plight during a trip to the Himalayas. Shocked at learning there were less than 5,000 left in the wild, he came back and founded the Snow Leopard Trust UK – and then created this super-premium vodka to help fund its projects. Stephen has set a global goal to raise a million dollars annually for snow leopard conservation by 2025. That’s the the figure the President of the Snow Leopard Trust has advised could provide the ‘step change’ to remove the animal from the endangered list. This goal has been helped by the vodka recently gaining national distribution in Waitrose.com
With 15% of the vodka’s profit going direct to the Snow Leopard Trust, funds are provided to community-based conservation projects. These range from replacing farmers’ livestock that might be taken by snow leopards; through to helping educate herders’ children and training for adults in spinning wool and handicrafts for extra income. Supporting these projects helps educate the local communities and fosters a positive attitude towards the snow leopard.
£36.00 RRP for a 70cl bottle and available at Waitrose.com, Harvey Nichols and Ocado.com, as well as all good independent drinks retailers. Snowleopardtrustuk.org / snowleopardvodka.co.uk
Snow Leopard Vodka – The Conservation Martini
Glass: Martini
75ml Snow Leopard Vodka
5ml French Dry Vermouth
1 sprig of rosemary to be stirred in a mixing glass
Method: Add ingredients into an ice-filled mixing glass and briskly stir for 20 seconds.
Pour into a Martini glass.
Garnish: Rosemary sprig placed in the Martini or cocktail glass.
Whitley Neill Gin
This is top-class, truly wonderful gin. Perfect for gin lovers, winner of the World’s Best Gin Award at the International Wines and Spirits Festival, super-premium Whitley Neill Gin stands out from the crowd with its African botanicals cape gooseberry and super-fruit baobab, which has six times more vitamin C than an orange. Whitley Neill is slightly softer than more traditional gins and the taste is refreshingly citrusy and sweet. Whitley Neill Gin is available in sainsburys.co.uk priced £24.00.
Lamb’s Spiced
This is wonderful spiced rum with a lower alcohol content that other spiced rums. The sophisticated readers of Frost will know that is a good thing. New Lamb’s Spiced is a perfect gift for rum aficionados and cocktail lovers. It’s a gentle blend with a lower alcoholic content (30% abv) than other spiced rums, which makes this smooth golden liquid ideal for sipping. Natural spices and hints of cinnamon and caramel give Lamb’s Spiced a sweet, warming flavour. Lamb’s Spiced is available in Tesco.com priced £14.49 for a 70cl bottle.
Lamb’s Navy Rum
A true classic. This is high-end rum. Truly Iconic British rum, Lamb’s Navy, is the perfect tipple to have in the cupboard at Christmas – not only is it a great cake preservative and ideal ingredient for flambéing the Christmas pudding, but it’s a great winter cocktail ingredient too. Lamb’s Navy Rum is available from all major supermarkets priced around £14.50 for 70cl.
Bootlegger
This is something truly unique for whiskey lovers who want something different. It is actually unaged white whiskey. It is gorgeous, sophisticated and luxurious with just the right amount of vintage kitsch.
Bootlegger is an unaged white whiskey inspired by the raw liquor ‘Bootleggers’ moved around the US during Prohibition. It has a raw sophisticated taste with aromas of peat, oak and vanilla with a smooth finish and has been created for sipping neat over ice as well as in cocktails. Bootlegger is available from Harrods.com and other premium retailers priced around £37.50.
Tequila Rose
Our editor loves tequila, just a shame she can’t drink it at the moment because she is pregnant! We did the hard work for her: This is a unique and delicious take on tequila. Tequila Rose is a luxurious blend of premium Mexican tequila and real strawberry flavoured cream liqueur. It’s an ideal alternative to traditional cream liqueurs at Christmastime and makes a fabulous gift for female foodies and cocktail lovers. Tequila Rose is priced £14.99 for 70cl from various supermarkets.
Grant’s Signature
Grant’s whisky is always brilliant. Perfect for a wee dram. This Christmas Grant’s Whisky is putting a new twist on tradition this Christmas with the release of its Signature character and maltiness blend. With a smooth yet rich taste, with hints of caramel and biscuit which is delicious on its own, over ice or with a mixer. The product of five generations, Grant’s is Scotland’s oldest family owned blend.
The Grant’s Family Reserve is priced at RRP £17.49 (70cl) available supermarkets and off licences. The Grant’s Signature blend will be sold exclusively at Tesco.com, priced at RRP £18.49.
Koko Kanu Coconut Rum
Perfect for rum lovers: Koko Kanu is a subtle blend of crystal clear rum and coconut; the only full strength coconut rum available in the UK.
This beautifully rich tasting coconut flavoured rum from the Caribbean island of Jamaica, is so smooth and round that it’s delicious on its own over ice.
Koko Kanu Daiquiri
Ingredients:
50ml Koko Kanu
25ml freshly pressed lime juice
5ml Gomme (available at all good retail outlets)
Method:
Chill a martini glass
Add all ingredients to a boston shaker, shake and double strain
Pour into the chilled glass and garnish with a slice of lime or a mint leaf
Koko Kanu Grikoko
(Created By Chris Langhan)
Ingredients:
2 Shot Koko Kanu
½ shot lime juice
1 whole Mandarin (quartered)
Dash orange bitters
Method:
Muddle whole mandarin including flesh and zest (everything), add liquid ingredients
Shake hard and double strain into a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with a twist of orange
Bowmore Black Rock Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
This is a very unique no age statement whisky. It has a rich sherry and peat smoke which is then followed by blackcurrants, treacle toffee and cinnamon spice. Buy for someone you want to impress. It is unique and they probably would not have tried it before. This was released for the travel retail market in 2014.
Don Papa Rum
This is brilliant and new for rum lovers. New Don Papa is a premium aged small batch rum from the Philippines which was launched in the UK in February 2014. It is light and fruity on the nose, smooth and delicate on the palate with flavours of vanilla, honey and candied fruit. The Don Papa Rum Gift Pack is available from majestic.co.uk and Majestic stores for £30 and from Harvey Nichols stores and online at www.harveynichols.com
Glen Moray Single Malt
This is a top-class Scotch whisky, buy it for the whisky lover in your life. Glen Moray Single Malt is distilled at the Glen Moray Distillery, Speyside’s most northerly distillery which has been producing whisky since 1897. This 10 year old single malt has been uniquely aged in chardonnay casks. £25.00, available from sainsburys.co.uk and glenmoray.com.
Three Barrels Honey
Excellent French Brandy. Drink it and cook with it. Oh, and buy it for someone else if you can give it away. The UK’s favourite French grape brandy, Three Barrels, has been blended with the finest honey flavours to create Three Barrels Honey. The new spirit drink is so smooth and mellow, you won’t want to give up a drop for Saint Nick.
THREE BARRELS ON THE ROCKS WITH A TWIST
Glass: 10oz Rocks
Method: Pour over ice cubes and spray orange oils over the top of drink
Ice: Cubed
Ingredients:
50ml Three Barrels Honey
Garnish: Trimmed orange zest
THREE BARRELS HONEY AND GINGER
Glass: 12oz Hiball
Method: Fill glass with ice and pour in order listed
Ice: Cubed
Ingredients:
35ml Three Barrels Honey
Top ginger ale
Garnish: Lemon wedge squeezed and discarded, garnish with fresh wedge
THREE BARRELS HONEY COLLINS
Glass: 12oz Hiball
Method: Pour all ingredients in glass except soda, and then add ice
Fill with soda and gently stir, top with ice if required
Ice: Cubed
Ingredients:
50ml Three Barrels Honey
20ml Fresh lemon juice
5ml sugar syrup
Top with soda
Garnish: Lemon slice
THREE BARRELS HONEY FIZZ
Glass: Chilled flute
Method: Pour in order listed and stir
Ingredients:
25ml Three Barrels Honey
Top with Champagne or dry sparkling wine (Cava or Prosecco)
Craftsmanship, style and generosity are at the heart of the recent collaboration between Chivas Regal and award-winning British watch company Bremont. Known for crafting beautifully engineered chronometers, Bremont has partnered with Chivas to design the latest Chivas 12 Made for Gentlemen by Bremont limited edition gift tin alongside 12 collector item ‘Chivalry’ watches to celebrate excellence and precision in luxury.
The Chivas 12 Made for Gentlemen by Bremont limited edition gift tin houses a bottle of Chivas 12 blended Scotch whisky and boldly features deconstructed watch elements to showcase the elegant and complex engineering of Bremont chronometers. The classically stylish, polished steel Bremont ‘Chivalry’ watch, with alligator strap, features a piece of oak cask used in the maturation of whiskies for Chivas Regal, the signature of James and John Chivas etched on the rotor of the timepiece and the Chivas crest subtly embossed on the dial. An engraved copper plate, taken from a retired Scotch whisky copper still, sits on the leather presentation pouch.
In the spirit of generosity, the Bremont ‘Chivalry’ watches will be auctioned exclusively for charities around the world. Admirers of luxury watches and whisky will have the opportunity to participate in an online auction for one of these watches from 22nd October to 9th November, 2014 via www.chivas.com/bremont. Proceeds will go to The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme.
Explains Richard Black, Global Brand Director of Chivas Regal: “In seeking luxury experiences and products, modern gentlemen demand substance and style. We felt there were many synergies between Chivas and Bremont as award winning British brands that reflect the desires of the modern gentleman. What both Chivas and Bremont do is incredibly complex but the art is to present it simply and stylishly and give our customers distinctive luxury items and experiences.”
Nick English, Co-Founder of Bremont, adds: “For me, the collaboration with Chivas was a genuine meeting of minds. We are all dedicated and passionate about keeping traditions of craftsmanship alive and we are also focused upon leaving a positive legacy. Bremont watches are ‘Tested Beyond Endurance’ and Giles and I have been blown away by the level of skill that Chivas Master Blender, Colin Scott, deploys in channeling nature and time in blending their Scotch whiskies.”
The Chivas 12 Made for Gentlemen by Bremont will be available globally from September with RRP of £28.45.
