I go to a lot of events where I get to eat delicious food and drink amazing drinks, but what I particularly love doing is meeting the people behind these brands. A couple of weeks ago I headed to Village East on Bermondsey Street for a private dinner with the family who own and run Venezuelan rum brand, Ron Diplomatico.
The evening started with one of the best cocktails I've had in a while. I don't know if it was that I wasn't expecting to actually like it as I'm not a fan of sweet cocktails (which I thought it would be), or that it was so unlike anything I've tried, but the almond daiquiri, made with Diplomatico Blanco rum, Orgeat (almond) syrup, fresh lime and Bob's Abbott's bitters was top notch. A little bit sweet from the almond but with a sour tang from the lime and bitters.
Spirit Social is a monthly event near Notting Hill that's being run by new to the market rum brand, The Duppy Share. Spirit Social is a really fun night, showcasing some of the UK's newest booze brands, with great street food, live music and darts. I went along to their first event to see what it was all about, and of course, to try out the spirits.
Spirit Social takes place every 2nd Thursday of the month at the Maxilla Hall Social Club that's located between Ladbroke Grove and Latimer Road tube stations. It's an evening where "1920s cocktail glamour and toe-tapping gypsy jazz tunes meet dart boards with a dose of Duppy mischief in an old school social club under the Westway". Despite going on launch night, and arriving early, the place was heaving. One side of the room is taken over by 4 bars, each showcasing their spirit brand. Drink brands will vary from month to month, with The Duppy Share ever present. When we went, we got to sample the following:
The Duppy Share - a new rum brand made with a blend of 5 year Jamaican and 3 year Bajan rum which is bottled at the Thames Distillery in London. Launched last year, and already available to buy in Selfridges, The Whisky Exchange, Borough Wines, Spirited Wines and tons more independent booze retailers in London, The Duppy Share is already proving extremely popular. Bartenders love it too, and you can get it in cocktail form at The Wolesley, The Grain Store, The Princess Victoria, Rum Kitchen, Boom Burger and lots more. They're launching in over 20 bars in Manchester soon as well. It's a young, fun brand that brings a new energy to the rum market. Cocktails being served on the night were The Duppy Conqueror - made with rum, sugar, lime and nutmeg; and a Rum Old Fashioned - made with rum and orange. Both delicious, and both let the rum shine through. I'm going to be using The Duppy Share to create a welcome cocktail at my next pop up on 25th April, so if you're coming to that, you'll be able to sample it then.
