The Eye

A QUICK LOOK INTO THE WEIRD AND WONDERFUL, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN, ON LOCAL SHORES, AND ACROSS THE GLOBE.

GROUND CONTROL TO THE MUMM WALK COCKTAIL

To celebrate the launch of Mumm Grand Cordon Stellar, the first champagne bottle designed for space travel, Maison Mumm, in collaboration with senior bartender from the Savoy in London, Martin Hudak, has created a cocktail that is simply other worldly. Mumm Grand Cordon Stellar’s revolutionary new bottle and glass concept makes it possible for astronauts and other space travelers to enjoy champagne in the challenging surroundings of zero gravity. As a way for earthlings to celebrate the launch, Martin has created The Mumm Walk cocktail based on the famous Moon Walk cocktail – the first beverage consumed by astronauts after the moon landing in 1969. The Mumm Walk combines Mumm’s latest cuvée, Mumm Grand Cordon, Havana 3 Year Old rum, strawberry gum, vanilla syrup, grape juice and clarified milk. “The Mumm Walk brings together sweet berry and vanilla flavours which is a replica of what the Milky Way is said to smell and taste like according to astronomers. Scientists have discovered a dust cloud at the centre of the Milky Way that holds the molecule ethyl formate – the chemical that gives fruit, wine and flowers their sweet scent and raspberries their wonderful flavour. So for this world first, it not only made sense to pay tribute to the first moon landing and the famous Moon Walk cocktail, but also create a beverage that actually tastes and smells like the galaxy,” said Martin. Now there is some truly heavenly inspiration. 96|drinks trade 42BELOW SAVING THE PLANET WITH SUSTAINABLE COCKTAIL SHOWCASE

42Below are calling on bartenders from Australia and New Zealand to make sustainable cocktails in a bid to save the planet from the giant mess of plastic and trash floating in the Pacific Ocean because according to them ‘if it all goes bung it’ll be really hard to keep making pure, pure vodka.” It is said the amount of trash we have churned out as a planet that is in the Pacific Ocean is the equivalent of the size of New Zealand, a shocking statistic indeed. 42Below Vodka Professor Jacob Briars said, “We like to do the right thing by planet Earth, but it seems not all humans are on board with this idea. The 42Below Sustainable Cocktail Showcase aims to change some minds by demonstrating how being sustainable can be both easy and tasty, and we hope to see some amazing new drinks created for this cause.” Pure planet for pure vodka, we are down with that.

ONE OF A KIND PENFOLDS GRANGE 12 LITRE BOTTLE FOR SALE.

The only ever twelve litre bottle of Penfolds Grange ever made has landed on the market. The unusual format exists because one of Australia’s most renowned wine merchants, Doug Crittenden, wanted to raise money for cancer research and so in 2007 he convinced the winemakers at Penfolds to decant their precious 1997 vintage Grange into a 12 litre bottle to be auctioned to the highest bidder. Doug Crittenden who was one of Australia’s finest wine merchants, who operated in the later half of the 20th century, ran seven successful licensed stores in Melbourne and was the driving force behind all wine selections, buying and merchandising. Doug Crittenden died in 2014 at 91 years of age but his legacy lives on in many ways and this bottle is one example. The bottle was purchased by a well-known Melbourne hotelier and has been kept under perfect cellaring conditions since. For those interested in registering their interest visit cellarspace. com. Price on application.

MELBOURNE BREWERY LAUNCHES FIRST BIODEGRADABLE CAN HOLDER

Recently opened in Melbourne’s CBD, Urban Alley Brewery has become a national leader in mindful consumption through the pioneering of the first biodegradable six pack ring made from spent grain called E6PR. The material is an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic and is edible to marine life - more great news for our oceans. Urban Valley is the only brewery in Australia, and the fifth in the world, to use the holders. But Urban Alley doesn’t stop there, it also implements sustainable practice through reduced gas emissions and an on-site bio-waste plant that allows the spent grain to be broken down and repurposed as fertilizer. There are also plans for the brewery waste water with its high mineral, salt and protein content, to be captured and reused for farm irrigation. Producing beer and saving fish, now that’s mindful brewing. Visit www.urbanvalley.com.au

WINTER IS HERE FOR WHITE WALKER BY JOHNNIE WALKER

Johnnie Walker in collaboration with HBO® and the hit series Game of Thrones has created the White Walker by Johnnie Walker. The limited edition Scotch Whisky takes its inspiration from the mysterious and enigmatic White Walkers, the undead army in the Frozen North led by the Night King. The White Walker is released in anticipation of the final season of the show scheduled for 2019. Created by whisky specialist, George Harper, alongside the small team of expert blenders at Johnnie Walker, the whisky is best served chilled straight out of the freezer. The label features temperature –sensitive ink technology that reveals an unexpected icy graphic on the bottle when frozen and the iconic Johnnie Walker Striding Man is depicted in armour with the flash of an icy blue eye in a nod to the White Walker character’s appearance.

“We knew there was an appetite for a Game of Thrones whisky and once we saw the vision from Johnnie Walker for a way to collaborate we knew the idea was perfect and the time was now. From the beginning we understood that we wanted to create something special, and they’ve accomplished that with White Walker by Johnnie Walker. We’re confident fans will enjoy sipping this delicious whisky as they wait for season eight and beyond,” said Jeff Peters, Vice President Licensing and Retail at HBO. White Walker by Johnnie Walker will be available in Australia late November 2018, while stocks last, and will retail for RRP$65 for a 700 ml bottle. ITS BE‘GIN’NING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

The Wild Hibiscus Flower Company has come up with a novel solution for the festive season aperitif that can also double as Yuletide decoration with its Gingle Bells – a set of six floral gin baubles. Each bauble is filled with Australian Dry Gin sourced from master distiller Reg Papps, named one of the top five gin distillers in the world at the 2017 World Gin Awards in London. Each gin bauble is infused with six different natural botanicals for a distinctive flavour and colour including Finger Lime, Wattleseed, Snow Chrysanthemum, Wild Hibiscus, Pepperberry and B’Lure Butterfly Pea Flower. Gingle Bells will retail for RRP $79. Visit www.ginglebellsgin.com

WINEMAKING DOCUMENTARY WINS AT CANNES

A film chronicling the rich history of the Richard Hamilton winemaking family from South Australia has won Silver in the History and Civilisation category this year at the prestigious 9th Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards. The film, Wineline 2 – Odyssey, chronicles the history of a family making wine since the early 1830s. Created by family member Richard Hamilton of Leconfield Wines as a personal project, it tells the story of his father, Burton Hamilton. “My family were the pioneer winemakers in the colony of South Australia back in the early 1830s, decades before Australia had even become a Federated Nation,” said Dr Richard Hamilton. “To have our film honoured at Cannes is such an amazing result. It is the culmination of all the passion and hard work that went into the film.”