tuesday 22 september 2015 another year, another dollar and here we are in
another boutique bar show, in a different venue, intimate, carpeted and in the
style of a living room, somewhere in islington, london. networking, trying out new spirits and
documenting it all, my highlight being, meeting new people or seeing my buddies
again, for a tipple, a hug and a catch up.
lanique liqueur, which i use in my rose martinis mr. black, an excellent coffee liqueur, thick
and black, from sydney suzie's excellent hibiscus gin pococello lemon elixir, full of freshness BTW homemade tonic water, without the bullshit sipsmith damson vodka and summer cup meeting a master alchemist from manchester, who
is a woman and has written a book somoma rye from ELLC with a drop of yuzu bitters gin from sunderland hazelnut vodka from poland coconut liqueur from london and ford's martini with an orange peel, made
from an expert and poured from a bartender's friendly sexy bottle...
like all industries, so is the bar one with ups, downs, perks and wonders, full of wonderful liquor. i am fortunate enough to stay connected, without sucking up, or compromising diplomatically and get invited and/ or included in gorgeous little happenings, full of diverse people and diverse spirits and drinks. last summer in june and july, i went along, taking anka, as my guest and avid whiskey taster to two wonderful tastings: for japanese whiskies at red bar bambou on rathbone place, in soho and for american whiskies at steam and rye bar in the city, while in october, we embarked on the wonderful and fiercely versatile and rich (pass me some water, before i fall apart), whiskey show, in the famous and amazing the whiskey exchange at vinopolis, near london bridge. needless to say, the talks were phenomenal, honest and passionate, full of stories about the climate, the method, the ingredients, the bottles, the places, the people and we were all listening in awe and admiration, while sipping away these serious delights, full of everything that a human with taste and substance would want in a drink, with no fuss, or embellishment, but equally wonderful, if mixed in a cocktail, too. the quest continues and i invite all of you, to create your own stories, while relishing the photos below. hibiki 12 yr old, hudson baby bourbon and jura prophecy definitely take my vote and satisfy my palette... cheers.
