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Masters Blog – Summer Special
Those of you of a certain age will no doubt have had a favourite comic and will doubtless remember the eagerly awaited Summer Special. It was an extra-long edition designed to keep children amused during the long summer holidays, although it normally arrived during our holidays and was waiting on our return home and was […]
New members receive Freedom of the Livery
Duncan Baldwin, James Pennefather and Olivier Nicolai were recently granted the freedom of the livery in another virtual ceremony. Duncan currently works for Angus Dundee Distillers , James is Regional director for W.Grants and Sons, and Olivier is a city Analyst for Goldman Sachs, advising clients on investments in the spirits industry amongst other responsibilities. The Master welcomed […]
New Commanding Officer for Military Affiliate 825 NAS
Our military affiliate 825 Naval Air Squadron has a new Commanding Officer and it is with great enthusiasm and that we welcome Commander Scott Simpson to his new post, taking over from Cdr Duncan Thomas. Past Master David Raines, and wife Jenny, very kindly hosted us as we endeavoured to plan some events which will […]
603 Squadron Update
The past six months for 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron have been dominated to a great extent by the shared experience of dealing with Covid-19. Indeed, the Squadron’s new Officer Commanding (OC) Squadron Leader Derek Read joined from RAF Force Protection HQ on 20th March, just days before the Prime Minister announced the rigorous restrictions that […]
Latest HMS Montrose Newsletter Now Available
Follow the latest activities of the crew aboard HMS Montrose, the impact of Covid 19, training and charity fundraising. To read the full newsletter, click on the link below: HMS Montrose July/August 2020 Newsletter
Installation of the Master into the Schiedam Guild of Genever Distillers
The Master in the first international virtual ceremony, received the honour of being installed in the Guild of Genever Distillers based in Schiedam and received a wooden medal of the Golden Glass. The Master participated via Zoom and another new liveryman, Amanda Garnham from BNIC was similarly honoured! The Guild is an ancient order, set up by the local […]
The Master’s Charity Bike Ride goes ahead under “Rule Six Restrictions”
We are providing an update on the Distillers 500 event in light of the new restrictions put in place by both the UK Government and Scottish Government with effect from Monday 14th September to combat the spread of Covid 19 (the “Rule of Six”). The organisers had already completed a detailed Health & Safety risk […]
THE MASTER’S CHARITY BIKE RIDE: WHO IS RIDING WITH THE MASTER?
There is still time to support our riders and sponsor them via our JustGiving page. Show your support today and visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/distillers500 THE MASTER: Kenny MacKay Having started my career in 1977, I have lived through some remarkablechanges in our industry – This continuum is also reflected in ourmembership, with somewhere over 85% of our […]
THE MASTER’S CHARITY BIKE RIDE: 500 MILES IN 7 DAYS
September 16th – 22nd 2020 PLEASE HELP US RAISE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE FOR 9 OUTSTANDING CHARITIES As I am sure you are aware, I rather stupidly said I would do something different for Charity in my Master’s year. Well, this year has certainly been different from anything I could possibly have imagined, but […]
First ever International Installation by Zoom for the Livery!
On July 24th, three new freemen were installed in a virtual ceremony spanning three countries. Martin Brown Jr. and Marshall Farrer were proposed by family member and Court Assistant Garvin Brown, and were dialing in from the US to connect with the Masters and Wardens Committee. Henri Sizaret who is currently living in Portugal, was […]
First virtual Installation Ceremony held for new liverymen
The first virtual installation ceremony for new liverymen to be accepted into the company took place last Friday, led by the Master with the Wardens and Clerk in attendance, and the nominees were accompanied by their Court sponsors. The Oaths to the Livery were supervised by the Clerk, and each candidature in turn read out […]
Diageo launches $100 million recovery fund to help pubs and bars welcome back customers after lockdown
New global programme to help pubs and bars recover from COVID-19, supporting jobs and communities around the world Practical equipment for outlets to implement new social distancing measures, digital skills training and contactless technology Diageo calls on governments to provide long-term recovery packages for the hospitality sector 24 June 2020: Diageo, maker of GUINNESS, has today […]
ALMOST ONE IN THREE DRINKERS CONSUMING LESS ALCOHOL UNDER COVID-19 SHUTDOWNS, GLOBAL SURVEY FINDS
A survey of more than 11,000 people across nine countries has found: 84% of drinkers are drinking the same or less alcohol during shutdowns, with almost one in three people (30%) saying they are drinking less or have stopped Of the 11% drinking more under shutdowns, 72% plan to revert to their old drinking habits 54% of people miss socializing and dining out at restaurants or bars, second only to socializing with family and friends (64%) […]
Blooming Zooming June
Whilst the South of the UK experienced something of a heatwave Scotland remained mercifully much cooler but with its fair share of decent weather interspersed by some very heavy rainfall.
Emergency Online Auction Raises £53,090 for The Drinks Trust
As a result of your extraordinary generosity we can report that OurEmergency On-Line Auction closed last night and raised £53,090.THANK-YOU We are absolutely thrilled to share this news with you. This means that with our previous additional donation of £50,000, the Distillers’ Charity has donated over £100,000 to The Drinks Trust since March. This is […]
Reasons to be cheerful?
Thinking of material for “The Masters Blog” is becoming increasingly more difficult as Lock Down continues – as you are all about to witness, if you read further. Looking on the downside, if that’s all we do, only serves to remind one of what a horrible, almost hellish, situation we are all in at the […]
Industry News
Avallen, Difford’s Guide and Mangrove UK partner for World Calvados Day
Avallen Calvados partners with Difford’s and distributor Mangrove to launch inaugural event
Casa Gancia heads to Russia with wine varietals – Italian wine in Russia data
Casa Gancia has lined up the expansion of its still wine portfolio to Russia.
Hennessy post Q3 growth as Moet Hennessy slows 2020 sales slide – results data
Moet Hennessy enjoyed a much stronger third quarter of 2020, with the unit’s sales slipping by only 3% as Cognac brand Hennessy bounced back into growth.
Courvoisier celebrates ‘beautiful liquid’ with new De Luxe edition
Courvoisier De Luxe available at Tesco stores and online
