Los Angeles, CA
(West Hollywood Today)
Photos & facts by Karen Ostlund
At Carondelet House in LA The “Night of the Iguana” cocktails |
“Small-batch gin hand-crafted
in Scotland, with an infusion of cucumber and rose petals”
The Voyages tour
kicked off in Houston on May
21, and moved to Austin, May 29th
and reached Los Angeles August 20-21st)
at Carondelet House, located at 627 S. Carondelet street.
In
three weeks the tour will continue to Chicago, IL
(Sept. 18-19), then Boston,
MA (Oct. 7) and it will conclude in Philadelphia, PA (Oct. 23).
The eclectic band, “White Ghost Shivers”. |
The unique setting
in each city is transformed into a highly unusual Shoppe of Curiosities
outfitted with a grand Explorer's Lounge and a full-scale Apothecary Shop.
The 11 botanicals of Hendrick’s Gin: lemon, orange peel, orris root, chamomile, juniper, caraway, yarrow, cubeb berry, elder flower, angelica root and coriander. |
1 part celery juice
½ part fresh lemon
½ part simple syrup
1 cucumber wheel
ground sea salt
ground cubeb berry
Guests are entertained all night as they voyage into the unusual with a cast of characters including: a botanist that demystified the eleven botanicals found within the Hendrick's bottle, a chemist that takes guests into the Apothecary Shop, and live music throughout the night by the eclectic band, “White Ghost Shivers”.
"Traveling Punch" tasting under the skirt |
“Traveler’s Testament”:
1 ½ parts Hendrick’s Gin¾ parts Rooibos tea
¾ parts raspberry syrup
1 tbsp toasted coconut
1 part cold sparkling water
The eleven botanicals of Hendrick’s Gin are: lemon, orange peel, orris root, chamomile, juniper, caraway, yarrow, cubeb berry, elder flower, angelica root and coriander, which blend together to a chorus of flavors.
The botanic
function is to set the stage for a duet of infusions mixed with rose petal and
cucumber.
An array of tipples are served, from the
signature Hendrick's & Tonic to more complex creations such as the
"Traveling Punch," which will be modified to reflect the best local
and seasonal ingredients each city has to offer.
The Hendrick's beast inside the cage hand you a "Traveler's Testament" when you buzz the chain |
¼ part of crème de mure
¾ parts of fresh lemon juice
1 part blackberry sage tea
1 dash Peychaud’s bitters
¼ part simple syrup
1 part chilled soda water
1 ice block, 1 sage leaf, 1 blackberry
& 1 lemon wheel
"Hendrick's is not for everyone. It attracts genuine free-thinkers and those who gravitate to the odd and exquisite," said Joanne Birkitt, Hendrick's Gin Senior Brand Manager. "We truly are inspired by imagination and that is demonstrated in every aspect of 'Voyages Into The Unusual”.
The hand inside the wall delivers a Hendrick's Gin & tonic, but may also catch you, if you stand too close. |
Hendrick's is the most unusual gin that has taken the world by storm since it was first introduced, thanks to its unique flavor - a blend of eleven botanicals, as well as the signature infusions of cucumber and rose petals.
The gin was hand crafted in Scotland in miniscule batches by William Grant & Sons.
Hendrick's uses a marriage of spirits from a Carter-Head and Copper Pot Still, a combination that produces a divinely smooth gin that has both the required character and balance of subtle flavors.
The talking rose |
Since Hendrick's was first introduced to America over 10 years ago, it has gained widespread acclaim and received numerous awards, including a Double Gold medal at the 2012 San Francisco International Spirits Competition; 'Gin of the Year' at the Food and Wine Magazine Awards; voted 'World's Best Gin' by the Wall Street Journal and named "Distiller of the Year" at the 2010 Wine Enthusiast Awards.
William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William
Grant in 1887.
Today, the super
premium spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and
distils some of the world's leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the
world's most awarded single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of
handcrafted single malts and the world's largest family-owned blended Scotch
Grant's® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick's® Gin, Sailor
Jerry® Rum, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey and Milagro® Tequila.
The company's portfolio in the USA also boasts Stolichnaya Vodka, Hudson Whiskey, Clan MacGregor, Reyka Vodka, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Lillet, Montelobos Mezcal, Gibson's Finest, Monkey Shoulder, Art In The Age, The Knot and BOLS cordials. www.hendricksgin.com
The company's portfolio in the USA also boasts Stolichnaya Vodka, Hudson Whiskey, Clan MacGregor, Reyka Vodka, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, Lillet, Montelobos Mezcal, Gibson's Finest, Monkey Shoulder, Art In The Age, The Knot and BOLS cordials. www.hendricksgin.com