On a slightly cold November afternoon, the 21st to be exact, 153 Distillers and their guests came together in the warmth of Vintners’ Hall to witness the installation of the Company’s new Master, Nicholas Carr. Alongside the new Master, Daniel Szor was sworn in as Upper Warden, Vincent Keavney as Middle Warden and Kirsten Grant Meikle as Renter Warden.
The Court also thanked Charles Minoprio, who stood down as the Father of the Court.
At the reception, we were treated to a choice of Henriot Brut Champagne NV or No. 3 London Dry Gin. The Beadle kept us in good order and gavelled up for dinner. The newly minted Master, Wardens and principal guests then processed into the Hall (the long way round!), after which the Immediate Past Master, Lorne Mackillop, gave a toast in whisky (Johnnie Walker Gold Label) acclaiming the new Master. Our Chaplain gave his first Installation Dinner Reflection and Grace, and the evening festivities began.
We were treated to a sumptuous menu of salmon and lamb, which was finished with a rich and warm chocolate fondant pudding (full menu at the end of the report). This was all accompanied by an outstanding selection of wines and our thanks to our Spirits & Wine Committee.
The Beadle then brought us together once more with the strike of three gavels, the Master rose and proposed the toasts to the King, The Royal Family and the Lord Mayor and City. We enjoyed both Graham’s 2012 Port and The Singleton of Dufftown 12 YO Single Malt Speyside, a nod to the new Master’s career. The Company then partook in the passing of the Loving Cup ceremony – with a beautiful Bloomsbury Sloe Gin from the Thames Distillers in the cups, and daggers were drawn!
Liveryman Beanie Espey welcomed our guests, including members of the Master’s immediate family, our seven new Liverymen, and our new Corporate Freeman.
The Master’s guest speaker, Alastair Barron, a Past Master of the Merchant Adventurers, replied and gave a fascinating and humorous insight into the Master’s life before work and his career, which had seen him travel around the world before returning home to the UK.
The Master delivered an uplifting speech to the packed hall, highlighting our achievements and recognising and thanking those involved in the incredible successes of our charitable giving, vocational training, and education programmes over the last few years. He noted that we are now a top ten Livery fundraiser across all City Livery Companies, focused on “transforming the lives of young people”. Since our first One of One Auction in 2021 we have helped over 2,000 young people across the UK with support for jobs, training, and education.
After retiring Assistant Clerk Kim Lyons was given a rapturous and emotional thank you for her years of outstanding service from the assembled guests, the Master continued by outlining the ingredients for our Livery’s future success with the steps required to “Raise our Relevance” as a modern Livery Company and achieve our full potential.
This concluded the formal part of the evening, and in true form, the Beadle brought the dinner to a close with his gavel, but not before the Master invited guests to join him in the Drawing Room for a stirrup cup. With the cold evening setting in and the night’s festivities concluded, 153 Distillers and guests collected their coats very orderly and made their way home.
Gallery password: Installation2024
Bill Collier
Assistant Clerk
2024 Installation Menu
At the Reception:
Louis Roederer Brut Premier,
Tanqueray London Dry Gin
Toast to the newly installed Master:
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
Starter
Beetroot and gin cured salmon,
heritage baby beets, wasabi crème fraiche.
Vegetarian: Tomato tarte fine, Parmesan,
Ragstone goat’s cheese and Balsamic onions.
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Beaune – Bastion 1er Cru,
Chanson 2019
Main
Slow-cooked shoulder of lamb,
braised red cabbage, gratin potato,
salsify, port jus.
Vegetarian: Heritage carrot Wellington, confit Savoy
cabbage, crushed heritage baby beets,
with a Chasseur sauce.
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Château La Fleur de Boüard,
Lalande de Pomerol 2016
Dessert
Dark chocolate fondant,
Cardamom ice cream with berry compote.
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Château Lamothe-Guignard,
Sauternes, 2ème Cru Classé 2015
Loving Cup:
Thames Distillers Bloomsbury Sloe Gin
Coffee & Chocolates
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Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos 2012
The Singleton of Dufftown
12 YO Single Malt Speyside
