Trade talk: seminars, competitions and activities from Bacardi Brown-Forman for London Cocktail Week

Hold on to your hats bar people, the Bacardi Brown-Forman Training Team have got a corker of a
programme planned for you and it’s running through London Cocktail Week. Book your space (or rather spaces – there’s plenty of good stuff going down here) – there’s no charge but we guarantee demand will be high, so do it now!

Your five days of cocktail know-how and a healthy dash of geekery start here:

6th October:

12pm-1pm
Soho – The Centre of Modern Cocktail Culture
A panel of Soho’s finest industry professionals discuss how this pocket of London spawned a global cocktail
phenomenon whilst celebrating some of the classic cocktails invented there.

1pm-2pm
St. Germain Les Femmes Du Bar Competition
All the ladies in the house say ‘Madam St. Germain’ – it’s time for the Les Femme Du Bar to shake things up. Some of the finest female tenders will be competing for a chance to win a trip to Moscow and a guest bar tending shift at one of the World’s Best Bars (official) – all using delicious St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, of course.

3pm-4pm
The Last Great Malts
Like a wee dram, or simply wish to gen up on the subject? Then don’t miss this. Join Mr Whisky himself, Dave Broom as he, Stephen Marshall and Ryan Chetiyawardana introduce connoisseurs and newbies to some of The Last Great Malts which will be launched in the John Dewar portfolio in the next few months, including recently relaunched Aberfeldy, soon-to-be-released Aultmore and the latest addition, Craigallachie. Try them neat and in some of Mr C’s sure to be innovative whisky cocktails.

Tuesday 7th October:

12pm-1pm
A Topical Infusion of Nature, Alchemy and Design
Say what? All will be revealed during this fascinating talk where Lauren Davies of HEKA Lab joins forces with
Sean Ware from Bombay Sapphire to discuss the similarities between the iconic gin brand and her design work and fascination with scent. Expect thoughts on heritage, craftspeople, innovation, aroma, botanicals and sustainability – all of which can be experienced at the new home of Bombay Sapphire at Laverstoke Mill.

2pm-3pm
The Perfumer – The Artist of Scent
Scent and cocktails have more in common than you might think. This hot ticket from the Grey Goose team invites one of the leading perfumers in the world to shed light on the way fragrance affects our many moods, as guests enjoy fragrant Grey Goose cocktails.

Wednesday 8th October:

12pm-1pm
Woodford Reserve – a unique opportunity to taste with Master Distiller Chris Morris
It’s bourbon time folks and what better way to find out about the subtle nuances and expertly crafted, small-batch Woodford Reserve than sipping it with Brown-Forman Bourbon Master Distiller Chris Morris and UK Brand
Ambassador Tom Vernon? Learn about the multi-award-winning liquid courtesy of Chris and Tom and use the
exclusive Flavour Wheel to help you identify some, if not all, of the 200 flavour profiles.

2pm-3pm
Characters & Cocktails with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
The innovation and craft of Jack Daniel’s and The Savoy hotel
Did you know that The Savoy hotel and Jack Daniel’s have a solid history which dates back, ooh, a very long time? Find out more as Cam Dawson Jack Daniel’s Brand Ambassador (top of page) guides you through three distinct and delicious expressions billed by the Master Distiller as his ‘Craftsman’s Playground.’ Sip on Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Rye, Barrel Proof Single Barrel and the one we have a soft-spot for, Sinatra Select. And if that wasn’t enough,
Lorenzo Antinori from the Beaufort Bar at The Savoy will be on hand to showcase some Character cocktails,
inspired by famous guests who stayed at the hotel. Hint: Frank Sinatra may well be featured (just saying…)

4pm-5pm
Leblon – Meet the Maker
The World Cup may be over but its host country is still very much in focus with Leblon® Cachaça made from
natural cane from Brazil. Its Master Distiller Carlos Eduardo will be in town specially to share the love about the hand-crafted production process that makes this spirit so unique and while he can’t whisk you off to Brazil to see the distillery in action, he’ll do the next best thing, guiding guests through a virtual tour.

Thursday 9th October:

12pm-1pm
Does Age Matter? An Exploration with the Expert
Now there’s a question to ponder… And you can bet Bacardí UK Brand Ambassador Metinee Kongsrivilai has the answer. Join her in association with Abhishek Banek, former Teaching Assistant of the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling as they explore whether age is just a number and if it really affects the character of rum.
Expect tastings and lively discussions.

2pm-3pm
‘Staying Alive’ – The Secret to Consistency with White Lyan
Another hot ticket, this one features a very busy Metinee Kongsrivilai (see above), joined by Iain Griffiths and Rob Libecans from White Lyan. The chat? La Levadura, the unique yeast strain used to give Bacardí rum its point and taste of difference since 1862. Find out everything you didn’t even think you needed to know about yeast and
fermentation – it’s the reason Bacardí has continued to thrive (hence the ‘Staying Alive’ tag).

4pm-5pm
The Untameable Spirit of a World Class Bar with 28 Hong Kong Street
Everybody loves a winner right? Not only did Zdenek Kastanek win the prestigious Bacardí Legacy UK title in 2012, but his bar, 28 Hong Kong Street (28HK for short) was awarded Best International Bar at Tales of the Cocktail this year. Hear what he has to say on setting up and developing an award-winning bar in a new market when he and fellow 28HK-er take the stage with UK Brand Ambassador Shervene Shahbazkhani.

Friday 10th October:

12pm-1pm
French Martini – Recreating a Modern Classic
Hands up who hasn’t had a French Martini at some point? That will be everyone then but when was the last time you really enjoyed one? UK Chambord Brand Ambassador Frank McGivern sets out to challenge our perceptions of this 1990s favourite. And as he’s joined by Ally Martin (not Martini although that would be very cool), one of this year’s Three Most Promising in the Bacardí Legacy UK competition, you can bet you’ll be in for a few de-contructed treats. Tip: if you’re thinking of entering the competition below, this session should definitely be on your must-do list.

2pm-3pm
The Rebirth of the Cool – French Martini 2.0
Fancy showing off your skills by creating a French Martini for 21st century palates? Of course you do! Bacardi Brown-Forman invites you, yes you, to enter this competition open to anyone who thinks they have what it takes to elevate the French Martini to supermodel status.
Prize: A Night at The Savoy London Hotel, including dinner at Kaspers and breakfast for two.
All entries must be sent to bbfbtrainingteam@bacardi.com.

3.30pm-5pm
Vermouth Then and Now with Guiseppe Gallo and Jamie MacDonald
Get the weekend started right with this destined-to-be-ace presentation focusing on the history and many wonders of vermouth. If there’s anyone who can tell you about vermouth, it’s Guiseppe Gallo, known as the Vermouth
Maestro and to prove it, was awarded Best International Brand Ambassador at Tales of the Cocktail this year. Jamie MacDonald is no slouch in the information department either. Between the two of them you’ll find out the
fascinating story of Martini, from its past to its very bright future. And as it will be Martini o’clock, it would be rude not to enjoy few cocktails as well.

Sessions take place in the Bacardi Brown-Forman Hub at the Seven Dials Club in Covent Garden and tickets are
available on a first come, first served basis. Don’t miss out!

For further details, check the BBFB Training Team Facebook page here and the London Cocktail Week website