Whether we’re talking bottles, books or bars, why is it that some may enjoy just a brief moment in the spotlight, while others continue to shine for years, decades or even centuries? In this episode we’re celebrating creations that have done exactly that.

Starting with spirits that continue to hit all the right notes with us. Of which we're highlighting three: an expression from Chivas Regal – the whisky founded over 100 years ago; followed by Tanqueray No. TEN gin, which has been around close on 25 years and Fords Gin, which may feel like a relative newcomer but has been making its mark since 2012.

Our book is Harry’s ABC of Mixing Cocktails, from the legendary bartender, Harry MacElhone, first published back in 1919. And for our bar, we visited The Martini Bar at Hawksmoor, St. Pancras. Yes, it’s only been open a few weeks, but it is the latest offering from the Hawksmoor group which started life in Spitalfields back in 2006, and has been growing brilliantly ever since.

This week's guests know a thing or two about longevity when it comes to bars. Roisin Stimpson and Edmund Weil founded the multi award-winning Nightjar, currently celebrating its 15th year, and, Swift about to mark 10 years in Soho. We chat with the husband-and-wife team about how they met, how they created their dream bar and how you need as much luck as intuition when starting a business.

What we're drinking:

Martini

60ml Tanqueray No. TEN or Fords Gin

20ml Dolin vermouth

1 dash Australian Bitters Orange Bitters

Lemon twist to garnish

Method:

Chill Martini glasses in freezer. Stir all ingredients over ice. Pour into the chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Chivas Regal 18

Fords Gin

Harry's ABC of mixing cocktails by Harry McElhone

Hawksmoor Martini Bar

Nightjar

Tanqueray No. TEN Gin

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To warm us into the new season, we’ve got a bit of a whisky thing going on product-wise with two new bottles for your drinking pleasure. One, The Stanhope has a Scottish connection but is made in the US, the other comes from one of our favourite family brands, it’s Rosemaund from the Chase family and it's proudly English.

Award-winning writer Noah Rothbaum shares all the intel on the subject in The Whisky Bible – A complete guide to the world’s greatest spirit and there are whiskies aplenty in our bar pick which is the recently opened Eagle Bar perched atop the glam Chancery Rosewood in London.

For the first conversation of the season, we’re thrilled to welcome Lorenzo Antinori, talking openly and honestly about settling in a different country, embracing simplicity, his latest opening in Shanghai and Bar Leone Hong Kong being crowned Best Bar in the World.

What we're drinking:

Perfect Manhattan

60ml bourbon

15ml sweet vermouth

15ml dry vermouth

Cherry/lemon or orange twist to garnish

Method:

Stir all ingredients over ice. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a cocktail cherryk.

Bar Leone Hong Kong

Bar Leone Shanghai

Eagle Bar at Chancery Rosewood

Rosemaund Single Malt English Whisky

The Stanhope Kentucky Straight Bourbon

The Whisky Bible – A complete guide to the world’s greatest spirit by Noah Rothbaum

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Every advocacy programme in the drinks world has its usp, something that inextricably links it to the DNA of the brand. In our humble opinion, few, if any do it better than The House of Suntory.

Now in its fifth year, The House of Suntory DOJO programme has become synonymous with excellence in the bartending world, thanks to its focus on learning from dedicated Masters in the arts of Japanese craftsmanship.

Those who are fortunate enough to take part receive hands-on experience and skill-enhancing insights in the arts of flower arranging, sushi making, mindfulness, blending flavours and other revered disciplines, then apply them in their hospitality and bartending practices – all while immersing themselves in the core pillars of the brand and its origins.

In this special episode we’re joined by The House of Suntory UK Ambassador Raffaele Di Monaco to tell us about how this year’s programme was put together; Gabriel St John Tucker, the overall winner on his learnings from taking part and Dave Broom, whiskey expert, one of the four experts who spoke at the final about how Japanese culture influences the way they work.

Tokio Night

2 parts Toki Black

1/2 part coffee liqueur

2 dashes orange bitters

Method:

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and add ice. Stir for 20 seconds. Strain into a hilled cocktail glass or coupette.

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