The week in pictures

Diageo master blender Dr Matthew Crow introduces two new “accessible” expressions from The Singleton, Tailfire and Sunray, as the Speyside single malt brand took over a rooftop bar above London’s Smithfield Market. UK consumers will catch their first glimpse of these whiskies at the Singleton Whisky Night Market in London next month, when the brand will team up with a host of small food producers.

The spirits business editor Becky Paskin talks whisky and television with Gogglebox star William Hartston, who was also at The Singleton launch.

Champagne Perrier-Jouët announced artist Laura Youngson Coll the winner of its Perrier-Jouët Arts Salon Prize 2014. Her sculpture, inspired by nature, uses techniques of on-laying, paring and manipulating leather. Laura’s work will be exhibited at the Contemporary Applied Arts London from 25 June until 31 August 2014. She will also receive a £10,000 cash prize and a trip to Perrier-Jouët Maison Belle Époque in Epernay, France.

The Hogs Back Brewery in Surrey announced the planting of an additional 2.5 acres of hops, making it the biggest beer brewing hop grower in Britain. The brewery will initially be planting more than 2,000 plants – a combination of the original Farnham White Bine and the newer variety of Cascade.

The Copper Dogs, whose four members are self-confessed “whisky fanatics”, are set to launch their debut album recorded at the Balvenie Distillery, in Dufftown, Scotland. The album, titled The Balvenie Maltings Session, will be launched at a gig in the ruins of Balvenie Castle on Friday, 2 May. The cavernous space – normally used for germinating barley to make single malt Scotch whisky – provided unique acoustics for the recording, which was completed over three days in June 2013.

Marcis Dzelzainis, of Satan’s Whiskers in Bethnal Green, limbers up a lively Almond Lagerita using Marston’s Revisionist lager as part of a beer cocktail showcase for media. This particular creation follows a recipe of Marston’s Revisionist lager, Tequila Blanco, lime juice and “orgeat”, otherwise known as almond and rosewater syrup.

(L-R) Widow Bourne, William Pickering and Napoloeon III

Guests to London-based wine merchants Berry Bros. & Rudd were transported on a journey through the company’s rich 315-year history at the launch of its new consumer wine club on Monday. Prices range from £120 to £300 per case with four membership options named after historical figures; the Widow Bourne, William Pickering, Napoleon III, and the Wellington Cellar – set to open later this year.

Each membership package includes a case of wine every two months with tasting notes, subsidised tickets to a variety of wine schools and private events, and 10 per cent off additional online orders. Here, Napoleon III tells guests at the event about the secret meetings he held in the Berry Bros. & Rudd cellar in 1838. For more information visit bbr.com/wine-club.

db caught up with Henry Palmer, co-founder of Elephant Gin, to talk about 19th century African exploration, baobab and buchu botanicals, the brand’s conservation work and his aim to create the ultimate cocktail gin.

Launched last year, Elephant Gin has made itself at home among the antelope, antique bicycles and other quirky paraphernalia at Mayfair bar Mr Foggs, a drinking den inspired by “the eccentric British adventurer”.

db was lucky enough to dine at the hottest ticket in town this week, Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone, which is fast replacing Berners Tavern as the place to see and be seen in London – while having an apéritif, we spotted Alain Ducasse being ushered to his table. Manning the stoves is legendary Portuguese chef Nuno Mendes, who upped sticks from his Michelin-starred mothership Viajante in Bethnal Green to open Chiltern Firehouse with hip hotelier André Balazs. db’s dining buddy, French chef Loïc Queffelec, was more than a little bit excited to meet one of his idols.

db also found the time to visit Avenue in St James’s this week, which has recently undergone a makeover. Dining on scallop ceviche and gourmet burgers, we were treated to a taste off between Cos d’Estournel 2000 and Rauzan-Ségla 1988 poured from a Coravin. Winding down after dinner, having spotted AA Gill across the room, we ended the night with a Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned, stirred by the affable Diego (pictured).

With London’s love of casual dining restaurants showing no sign of abating, db hoofed it to Barnyard in Fitzrovia this week where we were greeted by waiters in red and black check shirts. A sister restaurant to Dabbous a stone’s throw away, Barnyard specialises in well executed comfort food, from fried chicken and corn on the cob to slow cooked beef short rib. The highlight however came at the end of the meal in the form of popcorn ice cream with smoked maple syrup and a popcorn hard shake given a kick with a shot of Bourbon – a milkshake that will definitely bring the boys to the (Barn)yard.

A new fruit delivery service for the on-trade and bar industry, Squish, launched in London this week. Aimed at the needs of top London bars and based in Covent Garden market, members of the trade can order fresh fruit, vegetables and juices online, or via a soon-to-be launched app, with all orders made before 3am delivered straight to the premises the next morning.