How to Sip Your Way Through London Cocktail Week and the City’s Very Own Bourbon Trail – enjoy free cocktails, events, discounts and prizes along the way –
- Yellowstone to launch London Bourbon Trail by hosting London Cocktail Week’s main Friday night event – today
- Two-month London Bourbon trail launches today in bars and spirit stores across London
- Free Yellowstone Select Bourbon cocktails are being served
- Five free American Whiskey masterclasses will be hosted in London’s best bars*
American whiskey lovers of London, listen up. A taste of Kentucky is coming to the capital this autumn – thanks to the US whiskey that’s taking our best bars and spirits stores by storm.
The first of six special events on the London Bourbon Trail happened yesterday, Friday 14th October, as part of London Cocktail Week.It runs until Monday 5th December.
Onin.London had a fabulous lunch at Block Soho, with Stephen Beam, Master Blender of the multi-gold-medal winning Yellowstone Select Bourbon from Limestone Branch Distillery. We learnt about what makes Yellowstone Select Bourbon special and it was such a special lunch eating and drinking with other Whisky and Bourbon lovers. We also learnt about the London Bourbon Travel.
The trail was founded in 2021 by award-winning bartender, competition judge and Yellowstone ambassador Michele Reina. He’ll be hosting a series of special events across London.
Over the next two months, six participating bars will serve a wide selection of limited-edition cocktails with a Yellowstone Select Bourbon base. And bottles of it will also be on sale, in a selection of London stores, with a 20% discount.
Embark upon the London Bourbon Trail and enjoy free limited-edition cocktails
To embark upon the trail, collect your map and London Bourbon Trail Passport from a participating venue and make sure you get it stamped in each bar and store you visit. Each bar will offer one free welcome cocktail, so make sure you have your passport ready to stamp, in order to claim yours**. You only need six stamps to win a prize.
Special London Bourbon Trail events
During the two-month trail, Michele Reina will be hosting a five special events and masterclasses*** – all with at least three free different whiskeys to taste – in bars across London. Places are limited so book yours by emailing [email protected].
Enjoy the London Bourbon Trail at home
For those who’d prefer to enjoy the London Bourbon Trail at home, some of the city’s specialist spirts stores are participating – each offering 20% off a bottle of Yellowstone Select Bourbon to those who show their London Bourbon Trail Passport to be stamped.
These include Gerry’s Wines & Spirits and The Vintage House, both in the heart of Soho, Tomoka Fine & Rare in the Royal Exchange and Islington’s Slim Jim’s Liquor Store.
Lots of prizes to be won
Those whose Bourbon Trail Passports are stamped six times can receive a choice of prizes.
First to complete it will receive an iconic Yellowstone Whiskey barrel head, which will make a brilliant home or bar decoration. And all Bourbon Trail travellers who receive six passport stamps win a Yellowstone t-shirt, baseball cap or hoodie. Their names can also be added to a draw, where one lucky winner will receive a year’s membership to the exclusive Soho Whisky Club.
Michele Reina, London Bourbon Trail founder and Yellowstone ambassador, said: “I’ve long been passionate about history and science of spirits, most recently the world of American whiskey. I’ve even had the honour to shadow master distillers and blenders Stephen Beam and John Rempe in producing bourbon and join the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
“I’ve visited many distilleries across the globe and Limestone Branch truly stands out. Its history and heritage – as well as that of the Beam family that’s behind it – are simply second to none. I now can’t wait to share everything I have learned on my Yellowstone journey with the people of London over the next two months. Join me in some of the city’s best venues for bourbon tastings, cocktails, live music, and much more – right up to Repeal Day on 5th December. Let the London Bourbon Trail begin!”
*Participating bars include: The UK’s first ever whiskey hotel, Blackrock in Hoxton; The Lost Society in Battersea; Degusto in Camden; Block Soho; The Zetter Townhouse, in Marylebone and Soho’s Chotto Matte.
**A maximum of one welcome drink per person, per stamp.
***The following events will take place:
- Tuesday 25th October, at Chotto-Matte, Soho, a masterclass where Michele will share everything you need to know about barrel aging, including tasting limited edition and special finish whiskeys.
- Wednesday 26th October, at Lost Society Battersea, a masterclass where Michele is hosting a tasting of premium small batch and cask strength 3 whiskeys that are sure to pack a punch –
- Thursday 1st December, at Black Rock in Hoxton, a masterclass where you’ll get the chance to blend your own whiskey along with three whiskey tastings – as well as your own blend
- Thursday 2nd December – at Block Soho, a celebration for National Bartender’s Day, with tastings and a masterclass on classic American cocktails
- Monday 5th December – a masterclass to celebrate the anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition which, in 1933, brought about the end of the 13-year ban of alcohol being made, transported or sold across America
