The week in pictures

James Espey, Tom Jago and Ben Howkins of the Last Drop Distillers talk about their remarkable history in the drinks industry, which includes creating Baileys Irish Cream, Malibu and Johnnie Walker Blue Label, during a tasting at the Whisky Shop in London’s Piccadilly.

The Whisky Shop tasting included a delightful combination of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Glen Grant and a 30-year-old Talisker as well as the 1960 Last Drop whisky and the 1950 Last Drop Cognac.

Pontet Canet technical director Jean-Michel Comme shows off the Pauillac estate’s fleet of amphorae, which were used for the first time in the 2012 vintage.

Pontet Canet shows off some of its superior horse power.

Forget all those trendy horses – Domaine de Chevalier trials its dog as Bordeaux’s latest “green” solution.

John Georges, Angostura’s master distiller with a crystal and silver decanter of Legacy – the world’s most expensive rum created by Angostura, which arrived in London this week. This is one of only 20 decanters ever released valued at US$25,000 or $4,000 a 35ml measure.

English winemakers, Rathfinny Estate, work on planting the second tranche of vines at its vineyard in East Sussex. The first 50 acres of vines were planted in April last year and Mark Driver and his team are planting a further 50 acres over the next eight days.

This week the team at BrewDog launched its new Fake Lager in the brewer’s typically understated and non-cynical manner.

Spotted in Spar over Easter was Chardalusco from the Vallée D’Or. db failed to try the golden drop, priced at £3.75 for 1.8 litres, but was intrigued at the label which had a built in promotional offer – no doubt saving the retailer the bother. The plastic bottle contains a sparkling Perry with a name that presumably plays on two strong brands: Chardonnay and Lambrusco. The rest of its branding, from the crown to Provençal balcony, remains a mystery for a UK sourced product from Aston Manor (who also sell Chardolini). There’s even a song dedicated to it.

Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies at the opening of its first managed pub, the Bull on Bell Street in Henley-on-Thames. Also pictured are the Bull’s general manager Tuesdee Dixon and head chef Wayne Pegler.

A team from Master of Malt celebrates after picking up six awards at the 2013 World Whisky Awards, including whisky brand innovator of the year and wbest whisky liqueur.

The world’s first Jack’s Bar & Grill is officially opened at Dubai International Airport. Jeff Arnett, Jack Daniel’s master distiller, made his first visit to the area to mark the opening.

The first part the El Bulli cellar was 100% sold at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong this week. The collection realised HK$14.1 million (£1.2m), far above the HK$9m high estimate and all 445 wine lots were sold. Topping the collection was wine of the moment, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, three bottles of the 1990 fetching HK$563,500 (£48,124).