London Cocktail Week ‘bigger than ever’

London Cocktail Week (LCW) is back and promises to be bigger than ever – especially due to its acquisition by ABV – a company owned by Sukhinder Singh of Whisky Exchange.

With more hubs, even more trade activities and 250 bars involved it’s going to be a packed week.

The Whisky Exchange’s Whisky Show for the trade will kick off the week at 12pm on Monday, 6 October, showcasing some of the best whiskies and giving guests the chance to check out the newest Mortlach expressions (which are frankly quite amazing), as well as new age single grain whisky, Haig Club, the Diageo/David Beckham collaboration.

Then head down to London Cocktail Club in Shaftesbury Avenue for a masterclass on Bulleit Bourbon with Diageo’s brand ambassador Andrea Montague where the venue will be transformed in to a 50s diner packed with tunes, whisky, cocktails and classic diner fare. Better than a time machine? Probably not, but just as much fun!

Throughout the week, like last year, the BBFB (Bacardi Brown-Foreman Brands) training hub will be back, providing a series of seminars on everything from Woodford Reserve tasting by Master Distiller Chris Morris.

Details are pretty hush hush at the moment, but a tasting led by the master distiller of this fantastic Bourbon is pretty special. Hopefully there will be some surprises too.

Other highlights include :-

– Le Femmes du Bar with St. Germain. Head down and see the finest female bartenders compete to win a trip to Moscow and a guest shift at The Delicatessen.

– Fly Beyond the Martini. A look into the the science and art behind the perfect martini with Grey Goose. How does the garnish, environment and other elements affect this stunning classic. Twists or Olive? Wet or Dry? Ice Cold? Shaken or Stirred? Warm climate or Cold climate?

– French Martini: Recreating a Modern Classic. Sit down with Chambord brand ambassador Frank McGivern and Ally Martin, bartender at Peg+Patriot, who will be talking about the use of different ingredients, garnishes and the perception of flavour in this classic serve. Welcome, to French martini 2.0. The talk will be followed by the Chambord French Martini competition in which bartenders will be challenged to recreate this classic. I’ll be one of those bartenders, so come down and support.

These events will all be held at The Bartenders Centre in Seven Dials, which will also be home to Twist London’s Silver Screen Drinkorium – a partnership with Fever Tree which pays homage to the silver screen packed with a huge range of cocktails for wristband wearers.

The Craft Distillers show is also happening this year at the Truman Brewery with a whole host of distillation masterclasses for everyone from bartenders to future distillers and enthusiasts.

For more events, details, times and sign up information head to londoncocktailweek.com/tradeonly