Diageo Reserve announces World Class activations at London Cocktail Week
For seven days from 2nd – 8th October, trade and consumers are invited to join Diageo Reserve and DrinkUp. London to celebrate London’s cocktail scene during the eighth annual London Cocktail Week. The world’s biggest cocktail festival will give visitors access to an unrivalled collection of the city’s award-winning bars with the renowned self-guided Cocktail Tours, as well as a number of World Class activations hosted by Diageo Reserve.
This year, Diageo Reserve presents The World Class Studios, a series of training sessions designed to enhance bartenders’ skills and knowledge. From 2nd – 6th October, Diageo Reserve will welcome bartenders to one of two sessions every day to present ‘The Resourceful Bartender’ and ‘Heat of the Moment’, workshops with a focus on culinary science and environmental business consultancy. Acting as an introduction to this year’s World Class Bartender of the Year competition, The World Class Studios will be hosted by Diageo Reserve brand ambassadors including, Ali Reynolds, Dan Dove, David Beatty, Jenna Ba, David Sinclair, and Paulo Figuerido; Don Julio Master Distiller, Enrique de Colsa and Ketel One Vodka Master Distiller, Bob Nolet; Diageo Reserve’s Global Cocktailian, Lauren Mote; and renowned bartenders, Max La Rocca and Tom Soden. Following the last session of each day, attendees are invited to stay on at Diageo’s HQ in Golden Square, Soho where 2017’s World Class GB Winner, Jamie Jones will be working a bar at a drinks reception.
Now in its third year, The Cocktail Village is at the heart of London Cocktail Week. Set in the historic Old Spitalfields Market, The Cocktail Village is a collection of bespoke pop-up bars from the biggest names in drinks, all serving up signature £6 cocktails. Highlights of The Cocktail Village include the Tanqueray No. TEN aqua shard Terrace, bringing the elegance of The Shard to Spitalfields, and the Ketel One Kitchen where guests can enjoy Ketel One Vodka Espresso Martinis on draft. The new Bulleit Bourbon brand ambassador, Jenna Ba will also be at the Cocktail Village with the Bulleit ‘Woody’ to host a series of hands-on masterclasses throughout the week.
Curated by the London Cocktail Week team, the World Class Edit is a series of luxury drinks experiences at some of London’s best bars, featuring World Class bartenders and cocktails. Key events include Oriole X World Class Opening Party, The World Class Garden to Glass at The Ham Yard Hotel and the Don Julio ‘La Cantina Bar’ at Tequila Fest.
The World Class Garden to Glass at The Ham Yard Hotel - Inspired by home-grown ingredients such as lavender, jasmine, tomatoes, scotch bonnet chillies and honey, Ham Yard Hotel will be hosting a week-long series of pop-up masterclasses on its private roof terrace in the heart of Soho. Firmdale Group Mixologist Eoin Kenny has been working with the World Class team to produce five different concepts for London Cocktail Week, including Ketel One Bloody Mary classes with a spicy twist and a masterclass on how to supercharge a Tanqueray Collins using ingredients from the home and garden. 2-6 October, £10
Oriole X World Class Opening Party - Oriole Bar is teaming up with Bulleit Bourbon is teaming up with Oriole Bar to present an evening of free live music and delectable cocktails at happy prices to celebrate the close of the Whisky Exchange London. Wristband holders will be treated to a Bulleit cocktail while London based four piece Fraser & the Alibis play the hippest in Bop, Blues and Boogaloo. 2 October, free
Don Julio ‘La Cantina Bar’ at Tequila Fest
On the 7th and 8th October Don Julio’s ‘La Cantina’ Bar will be landing in London & bringing the vibrancy of this original luxury tequila, and its Mexican heritage, to Tequila & Mezcal Fest. Hosted by Don Julio European brand ambassador Deano Moncrieffe, the 1940’s chevy pick-up will be setting up a draught cocktail bar serving Don Julio Tommy’s Margarita’s & Paloma’s for the weekend. 7&8 October, £20
For more information on the best the festival has to offer and for festival passes, download a Festival Pass from the DrinkUp.London app, and for more information on the World Class Series please see below;
World Class Studios
Spaces are limited - To book a session for you or your team please contact: worldclass@sweetandchilli.com
Where: The World Class Studio, Diageo HQ, 6th Floor, 12 Golden Sq, W1F 9JE
When: 2-6 October
Monday 2nd October
10am - 1pm hosted by Tom Soden, David Beatty & Jamie Jones.
2pm - 7pm hosted by Tom Soden, David Beatty & Jamie Jones.
A drinks reception hosted by Bob Nolet (Ketel One Master Distiller) & Dennis Tamse (Ketel One Distillery Ambassador) with cocktails from World Class GB Winner 2017 Jamie Jones
Tuesday 3rd October
10am - 1pm hosted by Tom Soden, Max La Rocca & Jamie Jones
2pm - 7pm hosted by Max La Rocca, Tom Soden & Jamie Jones
A drinks reception hosted by Enrique de Colsa (Don Julio Master Distiller) with cocktails from the 2017 World Class GB Winner, Jamie Jones
Wednesday 4th October
10am - 1pm hosted by Tom Soden, Ali Reynolds & Jamie Jones
2pm - 7pm hosted by Tom Soden, Ali Reynolds & Jamie Jones
A drinks reception hosted by Enrique de Colsa (Don Julio Master Distiller) with cocktails from the 2017 World Class GB Winner, Jamie Jones
Thursday 5th October
10am - 1pm hosted by Lauren Mote & Jenna Ba
2pm - 7pm hosted by Lauren Mote & Jenna Ba
A drinks reception hosted by Peter O'Connor (Roe & Co. European Brand Ambassador) with cocktails from the 2017 World Class GB Winner, Jamie Jones
Friday 6th October
10am - 1pm hosted by Paulo Figuerido & David Sinclair
2pm - 7pm hosted by Paulo Figuerido & David Sinclair
A drinks reception hosted by Bob Nolet (Ketel One Master Distiller) with cocktails from the 2017 World Class GB Winner, Jamie Jones
The full World Class Series of luxury drinks experiences includes:
1st October - Pre-Party: Oriole & Bulleit Bourbon- Oriole Bar is teaming up with Bulleit Bourbon to present an evening of free live music from Fraser & The Alibis and delectable cocktails. Free
2nd October - Oriole X World Class Opening Party - Oriole will host the welcome opening party of London Cocktail Week in association with World Class Drinks. Free
2nd - 5th October - The Nine Lives of El Tigre with Don Julio- Master Distiller in residence, Enrique De Colsa, will host tequila talks and tastings in the afternoons, while the evenings celebrate ‘The Nine Lives of El Tigre!’ Free
2nd-6th October - The World Class Studios - The World Class Studios are industry events and are designed to enhance bartender’s skills and knowledge. Free (Trade only)
2nd - 6th October - World Class Garden To Glass at Ham Yard Hotel
Mixologist Eoin Kenny has created a special cocktail menu inspired by the array of produce grown in the kitchen garden. £10 (including a welcome cocktail)
2nd - 8th October - Ketel One Vodka Kitchen and Bulleit Frontier Whiskey
Two iconic brands – Ketel One Vodka and Bulleit Bourbon – will be brought together for LCW 2017 in a two storey space, with delicious cocktails ‘on tap’, that is set to be a must see drinking spot at the ‘Cocktail Village’ in Old Spitalfields Market. £5 (for Festival Pass holders only)
2nd - 8th October - Natural Philosopher: Ketel One Kitchen - For the duration of London Cocktail Week 2017 the Bethnal Green bar will play host to The Natural Philosopher’s Ketel One Vodka Kitchen. Free
2nd - 8th October - Tanqueray No. Ten Presents Aqua Shard
Aqua Shard and Tanqueray No. TEN will showcase a blend of drinks created by Aqua Shard’s bar manager Luca Missaglia. £5 (for Festival Pass holders only)
2nd - 8th October - The Copper Dog House - Copper Dog Blended Malt Scotch Whisky introduces the Copper Dog House bar taking elements of its spiritual home at the Copper Dog pub at the world famous Craigellachie Hotel on the banks of the River Spey. £5 (for Festival Pass holders only)
3rd October - Oriole Presents: 50 Best Bars Panel Discussion Sponsored by Ketel One Vodka - Oriole Bar is teaming up with Diageo World Class to host the 50 Best Bars Panel Discussion - 2nd Edition. Free
3rd October - T in the Rock - An evening discovering four expressions of Talisker at Black Rock whisky bar. £20
3rd-4th October - World Class Presents: The Clumsies at Meraki - Preview new drinks from the multi award winning Clumsies in Athens. Free (£6 cocktails)
4th - 8th October - Callooh Callay World Class Takeover Series - The award-winning Sweet Liberty from Miami takes over Callooh Callay. Free
5th October - World Class Whiskies - A five course whisky tasting hosted by Tom Aske (owner of Devil's Darling) and Colin Dunn. £15
7th October - Bulleit Brunch at Call Me Mr Lucky - Bulleit is teaming up with Call Me Mr Lucky, The Breakfast Club’s underground drinking den, for an afternoon brunch party for the whiskey lovers. £10
7th October - The Future of Cocktails at City Social with Ketel One - A Michelin Star supper with World Class drinks in this award-winning restaurant. £75
7th - 8th October - Don Julio ‘La Cantina’ Bar @ Tequila Fest - On the 7th and 8th October Don Julio’s ‘La Cantina’ Bar will be landing in London & bringing the vibrancy of this original luxury tequila. £20
