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Jameson believes in a world where there are no strangers, only friends you have yet to meet, so it is no surprise that the brand’s new campaign is an open invitation to seek out and embrace those spontaneous, serendipitous moments that spark new connections and cherished memories.

“Jameson has always understood the power of togetherness, especially those that are seemingly random or unexpected,” said Pam Forbus, SVP, Chief Marketing Officer, Pernod Ricard North America. “Widen the Circle celebrates those powerful encounters that authentically bring new friends together and ultimately make the world feel like a smaller place.”

Widen the Circle builds upon the world’s number one Irish Whiskey’s 240-year legacy of craftmanship, collaboration and celebration of life’s everyday moments, both big and small. Anchoring the campaign is a :30 second TV spot starring Irish comedian, actor and writer Aisling Bea – the creator and star of BAFTA award-winning show ‘This Way Up’ and star of Netflix’s ‘Living with Yourself’ – whose witty tone raises a toast to those who embrace authentic, unexpected and often cheeky moments when people find their kindred spirits.

“As a comedian and performer, I always look to connect with my audience. It’s those small moments when you recognize a kindred spirit in the crowd that make for the most memorable sets,” said Aisling. “And when that unspoken bond happens over a Jameson Whiskey? Well, there’s nothing better in my opinion.”

Created by TBWA\Dublin, “Widen the Circle” is a 360-degree campaign running on TV, online video, social and e-commerce.

For more information, go to JamesonWhiskey.com

Global Tequila brand PATRÓN  is collaborating with the acclaimed Mexico City-based sculptor Sebastian to release the 2022 limited-edition PATRÓN Mexican Heritage Tin in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Released annually, the limited-edition PATRÓN Mexican Heritage Tin is brought to life by a new artist each year that visually shares the stories, traditions, and culture of Mexico through stunning one-of-a-kind designs.

For this year’s limited-edition PATRÓN Mexican Heritage Tin, Sebastian tells the story of one of the oldest traditions in Mexico that continues to be honoured at PATRÓN Tequila—the harvesting and cutting of agave piñas. The boldly crafted and vibrant tin design is an overhead view of the agave heart—one of the three 100% naturally perfect ingredients that are masterfully combined to create PATRÓN Tequila.

The design is inspired by the detailed cutting process of the agave piña that’s steeped in natural geometric design and a key component of the handcrafted production process by our familia of jimadors.

“Celebrating Mexican culture and creative perfection, this collaboration carries on PATRÓN Tequila’s legacy of aligning with progressive pioneers who share the values of passion, drive, and dedication to hard work. This year, we are honoured to have partnered with Sebastian to bring the traditions of Mexico to life through the PATRÓN Mexican Heritage Tin,” shared Kathy Parker , President and Global Chief Marketing Officer for PATRÓN Tequila.

“Between our commitment to time-honoured traditions and Sebastian’s artistry, we’ve created a dynamic collaboration of passionate mastery between brand and artist.”

Best known for his monumental works of steel and concrete displayed in Mexico and around the world, Sebastian’s abstract geometric forms and bold colours are inspired by the Mexican landscape and natural shapes found in the regions of Mexico in which Sebastian resides.

“I’m honoured to be collaborating with PATRÓN Tequila—a brand that is as proud of its Mexican roots as I am and equally committed to handcrafted perfection,” Sebastian shared.

“For the design of the tin, it was important for me to honour the traditions of Mexico that celebrate natural elements like the agave plant and piña imagery. This collaboration highlights our passion for craftsmanship, and I look forward to sharing this piece of art with the world while they enjoy the world’s finest tequila.”

The limited-edition PATRÓN Mexican Heritage Tin includes a bottle of PATRÓN Silver and is available at local retailers across the US, as well as select international markets while stocks last. Additionally, the tin can be purchased via patrontequila.com

BlockBar will exclusively auction an extra-rare vintage of 1800 Colección Tequila to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. 

1800 Tequila worked closely with celebrated surrealist artist Leonora Carrington, prior to her passing, to curate a unique decanter titled “El Rey del Tequila” complementing 1800 Colección rare extra añejo tequila. Carrington created only 15 of these silver-sculpted masterpieces fifteen years ago, never released for public sale.

One of these prized decanters is available for the first time as an ultra-exclusive collectable with a starting bid of USD $25,000 exclusively on BlockBar.com, the world’s first DTC NFT marketplace for luxury wines and spirits.

The buyer will be invited to visit Jalisco, Mexico for a private tequila tasting at La Rojeña distillery, Latin America’s oldest distillery and the birthplace of tequila. They will also tour Leonora’s Carrington’s exclusive art collection showcasing her connection to the heritage of 1800 Tequila and allowing for a complete immersion in the land that inspired both Carrington and 220 years of 1800 Tequila quality and tradition.

“We’re delighted to mark Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting our first ever tequila auction with the iconic 1800 Tequila,” comments Dov Falic, Co-Founder and CEO of BlockBar.

“1800 Tequila has a history of partnering with world-renowned artists and this unique, never-made-available-before decanter designed by surrealist artist Leonora Carrington makes this auction highly desirable for tequila and art lovers alike,” he continued.

Only produced and released in the finest years of production, 1800 Colección Tequila is the pinnacle of liquid superiority and a result of a delicate artisan process meticulously supervised by Master Distiller Alejandro Coronado. who creates a specially balanced blend between it and the finest aged tequila reserves. 1800 Colección Tequila begins with the selection of the highest-quality agaves that have reached optimum maturity.

Following the 1800 Tequila tradition, the agaves are steam cooked for several days in stone ovens, obtaining a selected extract, which is then distilled twice, followed by several years of slow ageing in ex-single malt whiskey casks. The result is an exquisite, distinctively aged extra añejo tequila with a silky consistency, deep golden colour and smooth, mellow taste with a subtle touch of caramel, honey and almond that is one of the finest vintages in existence – numbered, limited and certified.

“Always at the forefront of culture, 1800 Tequila partnered with BlockBar to release its first NFT to bring the centuries-old tequila-making tradition to a new audience who appreciates luxury spirits and unique, high-value art,” says Lander Otegui, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Proximo Spirits.

“A decades-long champion and benefactor of art and culture, 1800 Tequila will contribute 50% of the proceeds from the 1800 Colección Tequila NFT sale directly back to the Council of Leonora Carrington for the preservation of various collections including drawings, sculptures and textiles. With a new generation of luxury spirits drinkers and art collectors, this will be the first of many 1800 Colección Tequila NFTs to come.”

Information on the full terms and conditions and, of course, bids can be placed via BlockBar.com. The users who successfully check out will receive an NFT representing the 1800 Colección Tequila physical bottle, which is stored with BlockBar until the bottle owner is ready to redeem.

Scotch Whiskey distillery Aberfeldy joined forces with The Urban Beehive Sydney for an educational lunch for local bartenders to promote the use of responsibly farmed local honey that encourages honeybees and other pollinators.

“Just like honey, Aberfeldy whisky is available across the world. Urban beehives are thriving across Australia, and we are proud to partner with local producers, incorporating delicious tasting honey which is unique to cities into Aberfeldy cocktails,” said Hayley Loveridge, Aberfeldy Brand Manager.

After their bee experience, bartenders returned to the bar with their newfound knowledge and supply of local honey to experiment and get creative. Their task was to spin the Aberfeldy classics – the Hot Toddy and the Golden Dram.

Cocktails will be on offer to consumers during August with Aberfeldy making a donation for each cocktail sold going to the Wheen Bee Foundation, an Australian bee charity that promotes the importance of bees for food security and raises funds for research that addresses the national and global threats to bees.

Award-winning, San Francisco-based Gin distillery, Junipero, in partnership with San Francisco Magazine, has announced the launch of the inaugural San Francisco Martini Week.

Established as a tribute to the city where the Martini is believed to have originated, the week-long celebration from August 1-6, 2022, will not only shine a light on a great classic cocktail but also raise funds for the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a San Francisco-born non-profit and cutting-edge Order of queer and trans nuns devoted to community service and activism.

“We cannot think of a better way to celebrate a cocktail with such rich history than by creating the first ever Martini Week with our San Francisco-born Junipero Gin,” said Brian Radics, CMO of Hotaling & Co.

“We are proud to celebrate this classic cocktail while raising funds for the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. This week brings together our value of Living Life Unfiltered with raising a martini to the Sisters, a great group that also boldly breaks with convention as they devote themselves to local activism and outreach to those on the fringe. We hope you will celebrate with us!”

During San Francisco Martini Week, Junipero Gin hopes to inspire consumers to get creative. With a bit of inspiration and a gin famous for challenging the norms, residents and visitors in San Francisco are encouraged to order a tried-and-true martini or mix it up to find the martini variation that they like best.

In the spirit of giving, Junipero Gin will donate $10,000 to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, whose dedication to human rights, diversity, and spiritual enlightenment has been essential to shaping the San Francisco we know and love. Additionally, $2 from every signature Junipero martini sold during Martini Week at participating bars and restaurants will be donated to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to support their grant programs that fund progressive, grassroots organizations and projects that serve marginalized communities.

Participating bars and restaurants include 15 Romolo, Bar Agricole, Bar Iris, Blondies, For The Record, High Horse, Kona Street Market, Pacific Cocktail Haven, Rye, Sushi Sato, Wilder and Wildhawk.

The 16th annual Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC) Spirited Awards has named Ryan (Mr Lyan) Chetiyawardana’s Lyaness at Sea Containers London as the World’s Best Bar

The Awards were held at the New Orleans Ritz Carlton Hotel and turned out to be a Steller night for Chetiyawardana who also saw Lyaness named as best International Hotel Bar, as well as his Washington DC-based Silver Lyan at the Riggs named as Best US Hotel Bar.

In total, London-based establishments collected five out of the eight international awards as Alex Kratena and Monica Berg’s Tayēr + Elementary won Best International Cocktail Bar, Sexy Fish was crowned Best International Restaurant Bar, and A Bar with Shapes for a Name picked up Best New International Cocktail Bar, with its founder Remy Savage being named International Bartender of the Year.

Sydney’s Maybe Sammy won Best International Bar Team, the only bar not based in London to win an award in the international bar categories.

For more information, go to talesofthecocktail.org