The gorgeous London Gin (the blue one) is now available in Selfridges in Oxford Street and in the Berry Brothers Shop in St James in London. It’s also now at B’ham Bullring and Manchester Exchange Square. And if you missed Andy Pearson’s fab new cocktail for the London Gin – the Lady Grey recently featured on BBC2’s "Something for the Weekend” – check it out here .
Here’s a top tip for any Gintimers who happen to be in Paris any time soon. The Oh So Unusual Experimental Cocktail Club have just opened a NEW CLUB and we urge you to check it out. It’s not quite officially open or technically open but more like "prohibition style open". Address is 16 RUE DES BERNARDINS, PARIS 05 District, about 10 minutes walk from Notre Dame… A Green Door….a White Window…No Name…Just a very heavy door…you knock…the door open… and fantastic cocktails.
The folks at Gintime thought the best thing about this year’s Bar Show in London was the opportunity to escape to the Beefeater Distillery in Kennington. No loud pumping music, no flashing lights, no shouty people, the Distillery was an oasis of calm after the madness of Earl’s Court. And far more inspirational as it played host to a truly outstanding programme of events starring the great and the good of the cocktail world. Sasha Petraske of the famed Milk and Honey in New York went head to head with Nick Strangeway of London’s Hawksmoor on the respective merits of both cities’ cocktail styles. Jason Fendick and Tobias Blazquez-Garcia gave valuable insight into Spanish cocktail trends. The history of cocktails through the ages was presented by Anistatia Miller, Jared Brown, Dan Warner and special guests. There was also a rare opportunity to hear Gary Regan, Mr. Mixology himself, in conversation whilst the hard core Beefeater brand education came in the form of tours of the Distillery followed by tutored tastings conducted by Master Distiller Desmond Payne. A Beach Party for 500 at the Stationhouse in Notting Hill on the closing night brought down the curtain on a fabulous two days. Check out the Gallery below for who was there.
The Gintime Tutored Tastings sessions at Taste of Edinburgh attracted hordes of eager gin fans keen to explore the delights of premium gin. As Gintime Editor Geraldine Coates explained: “There’s a massive interest in gin at the moment. What was great about the Taste 
events was that our audiences were made up of ordinary consumers who wanted to find out more about their favourite tipple and were really interested in the array of flavours that different botanical recipes have. The feedback was tremendous with lots of people saying they had had no idea how much craftsmanship was involved in making gin. As that was the whole point of the exercise we were delighted too!” Gins featured in the Tutored Tastings were: Hendrick’s, Martin Miller’s, The London Gin, Seagrams, Tanqueray and Whitney Neill.
Beefeater Gin is the only globally recognised gin to still be made in the heart of London and to celebrate, Beefeater Gin are opening the doors of the Kennington Distillery throughout BAR.08 on 17th and 18th June, Earl’s Court, London. Even better the Beefeater team will take you there and bring you back! All you have to do is visit the Beefeater stand in the foyer at Earl’s Court One, book your ride in a fabulous complimentary Beefeater taxi and you’ll be whisked in style to the Beefeater home to participate in an exciting programme of activities. You’ll meet legendary Master Distiller, Desmond Payne, who will show you around the Distillery and lead tutored gin tastings. Brand Ambassador, Dan Warner, and a wealth of industry stars such as Anastasia Miller, Jared Brown and Gary Regan will talk about the best ways to serve Beefeater Gin. Or just chill in the Beefeater garden where special guest New York bartenders, Naren Young (Bobo) and Alexander Day (Death & Co), together with London’s finest, will serve up the luscious libations and tasty treats.
The Distillery Tour operates every 30 minutes from 11.00am with the last session at 5.00pm. Taxis run from Earl’s Court One from 10.15am each day and will return guests to Earl’s Court One from the distillery all day. The last taxi will leave the Distillery an hour before the show closes. If you’d like to secure your place in advance just email beefeatergin@chivas.com with your preferred date and time.
The Cocktail Demonstrations Tuesday 17th June 2008
The Cocktail Demonstrations Wednesday 18th June 2008
Calling all bartenders! Don’t forget Sunday 15th June is the date of the Hendrick’s Bartenders’ Croquet Championships 2008 in Bedford Square Gardens. Contact Louis Xavier Lewis-Smith, esteemed Hendrick’s UK Brand Ambassador, at louis@first-drinks-brands.co.uk for more information on teams, running order etc.
Here’s something for all Scottish Gintimers. We’re running a series of Tutored Tastings at this year’s Channel 4 sponsored Taste of Edinburgh from Thursday 29th May to Sunday 1st June. The Tutored Tastings will focus on Hendrick’s, Martin Miller’s, Seagrams, Tanqueray, The London Gin and Whitley Neill. Goodie bags containing minis of the gins tasted will be available to take away. Come and find us at the delicious tent on the following dates:
See the Taste of Edinburgh website
Gintime in association with The Drinks Business, is hosting Gintime Tutored Tastings at this year’s Distil, a new spirits focused addition to the London International Wine Fair 2008. The Tutored Tastings are designed to demonstrate the range and diversity within premium gin and explore brands’ individual personalities. They will be led by Geraldine Coates and will focus on leading gin brands Beefeater, Hendrick’s, Martin Miller’s, Plymouth, Tanqueray, The London Gin and Whitley Neill. Goodie bags containing minis of all the gin tasted will be available to take away. Entry is free but limited. To be sure of a place, send us an email at info@gintime.com .
Venue: Distil,
London International Wine and Spirit Fair,
ExCeL London, Victoria Docks,
London E16 1XL (View Map )
Sunday 15th June, Bedford Square, London
Tweed trousers, Panama hat and polished monocle at the ready, Britain’s best bartenders will once again meet at Hendrick’s Bartender’s Croquet Championships 2008 – the fifth annual event – as it returns to Bedford Square Gardens in London on Sunday 15th June 2008. Last year saw 80 of the world’s best bartenders enjoy what has become an unmissable day out in the international bartendering calendar. Bar managers, owners and spirits evangelists are invited to cheer on their favourite sportsmen as they step forward and challenge the skills of our defending champion, Britain’s own David Piper.
