Explore: Trends June 2006
The latest events, trends and destination info, including Las Vegas, Mumbai, Amsterdam and London. Plus, why we’re all drinking gin this summer and how to blow a grand or two on a book
ICE AND A SLICE
GIN IS IN – IT’S OFFICIAL. KNOW YOUR BLENDS FROM YOUR BOTANICALS WITH OUR GUIDE TO THIS SUMMER’S TOP TIPPLE
WHETHER you know it as ‘Mother’s ruin’ or a malaria preventative (quinine, found in tonic water, was used to help prevent the disease), the humble gin and tonic has always lacked a certain glamour, despite being the original British cocktail. Having languished at the back of the drinks cabinet in recent years, gin now looks set to be the fashionista’s drink of choice at the social events of the season. But with all this talk of botanicals (the herbs and spices used to give gin added flavour) and a bewildering array of brands, which gin should we be quenching our summer thirst with? Spirits guru Henry Besant, founder of the Worldwide Cocktail Club, gives us his tasting notes. www.worldwidecocktailclub.com
SHELF LIFE
FORGET YOUR THREE-FORTWO PAPERBACKS; BOOKS ARE INCREASINGLY BECOMING WORKS OF ART – AND WITH PRICE TAGS TO MATCH
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| Bombay Sapphire Fabulous aromas of fruits and spices combine with a clean, lasting fl avour that’s ideal for cocktails. Bombay Sapphire uses 10 botanicals in its production (most usefive or six) with the lemon peel and licorice standing out the most. 47% Alc/Vol. | |
| Gordon’s A gin of the highest quality, purest ingredients, and without any of the sugar commonly added to inferior gin to mask a rough or unbalanced spirit. Distilled three times for extra dryness and purity. 37.2% Alc/Vol. | |
| Hendrick’s A small batch gin distilled in Scotland. Uses cucumber and rose petals for a creamy edge. Gentle on the palate with a vague sweetness – a whiff of Turkish Delight – alongside more typical aromas. Dry, delicate and very different! 41.4 % Alc/Vol. |
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| Martin Miller’s Blended with glacial lavafiltered waters, supposedly the purest in the world. A satiny palate with intense fruit, citrus peel, mild juniper, and exotic peppercorn notes. An elegantly-styled gin. 40% Alc/Vol. | |
| Plymouth Handcrafted at England’s oldest working gin distillery, Black Friars in Plymouth, since 1793, Plymouth Gin has a smooth palate and great depth of fl avour with a wonderfully fresh juniper, lemony bite and deeper earthy notes. 41.2% Alc/Vol. | |
| Tanqueray The distinctive bottle shape is based on a 19th-century Londonfire hydrant. Dry, smooth, medium-bodied palate with full juniper character tempered by a great cut of lemon zest. 40% Alc/Vol. | |
| Sumo by Helmut Newton An apt title for the biggest book of the 20th century, Sumo comes with its own coffee-table display stand designed by Philippe Starck. There were 10,000 signed and numbered editions printed but now a copy will set you back £3,500. www.taschen.com | |
| Pelé by Gloria A stunning homage to the man they called O Rei (‘The King’). Out this month, only 2,500 copies are available worldwide, all signed by Pelé himself. The first 150 copies (£4,000 each) come with a signed print of the 1970 Brazilian team. www.number10shirt.com | |
| Lachapelle Artists&Prostitutes Artists and Prostitutes by David LaChapelle Photographer LaChapelle’s signature daring and visionary style is evident throughout this collection of hisfinest celebrity portraits, from Britney to Beckham. In April, 2,500 signed copies were published at £1,200 each. www.taschen.com � |
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| Jazzlife by William Claxton and Joachim E. Berendt. Updated and expanded new edition of the 1961 classic photography book based on Claxton and Berendt’s musical roadtrip through 1960s America. It costs £700 for one of only 1,000 copies (all signed) | |
| GOAT – Greatest of All Time by Muhammad Ali and Jeff Koons A tribute to Muhammad Ali and a feat in bookmaking, GOAT weighs in at 34kg and comes with its own sculpture. There were 1,000 signed Champ’s Editions published but they are now very rare – the last copy sold for £6,750. Collector’s Editions number 9,000 and cost £2,000. www..taschen.com |
