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Features

Features

Anna Sebastian on the drinks trends coming in 2023

From the economy to the environment to digital innovation, 2023 is set to be a year of great societal change. But how will this impact everyday lives in the bar industry? Here Anna Sebastian’s top trends to watch out for as she sizes up the coming year.

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Zonin: refined over 2,000 years

Michele Zonin, seventh-generation family member and vice-president of Zonin1821, looks at the history and modernity of a classic Italian wine.

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A short history of bartending

Adam Jamie Hussein’s new book, The Rise of the Bartender, charts the history of mixed drinks and their makers. Here, he provides a potted history of the profession.

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Why bars are making their own branded spirits

More cocktail bars are creating their own ingredients – often including a branded spirit. Oli Dodd reports

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Cognac cocktails: New ways with an old spirit

If you're looking for new ways to use cognac, look no further than Le Syndicat in Paris. Thibault Massina pulls back the curtains on a bar that has changed the conversation about French spirits.

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Cavitation in spirits? Just don't call it ageing

When reduced to the goal of speed ageing, the process of hydrodynamic cavitation became taboo. Highlight its other uses – as some brands have – and it’s just another tool for creating flavour. Hamish Smith reports.

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The Portuguese fortified you haven't tried: Moscatel de Setúbal

Port isn’t the only world class fortified from Portugal. Joe Wadsack has another up his sleeve – and the best bit is Moscatel de Setúbal is great value for money. 

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Prof Charles Spence: How ambient temperature shapes drinks choice

Professor Charles Spence investigates whether or not the physical temperature of a space has an influence on guests’ drinks choices.

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Exploring....Batavia Arrack

Laura Foster follows the trade routes east to Indonesia, where she discovers the first luxury spirit: batavia arrack. 

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The simple yet delicious world of spirits and juice

With the right fruit juices, spirits can be elevated to new heights – and there’s no shortage of weird and wonderful combinations to try. By Liam O'Brien of Brass Monkey.

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How does the speed of fermentation change flavour?

Slow fermentation can help in bringing a point of difference to a whisky’s flavour profile, and modern consumers are always looking for something new. Ellen Manning reports.

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The opportunity of failure - how bars can be reinvented

John Ennis of Graffiti Spirits Group spotted signs that a number of his venues were failing. Reinvent to succeed, he says.

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Declan McGurk on his two-decade journey with Class

Declan McGurk has featured in Class more than most. We hear from him about how his career ran parallel to Class over the last two decades. 

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Jake Burger on the impact of Class

One of the faces to have featured most in Class over the years is Jake Burger. We hear from him about how the magazine shaped – and was shaped by – his career.

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Eating disorders - hospitality's last taboo?

Eating disorders in the drinks and hospitality industry are rife but rarely spoken about. Millie Milliken lifts the lid of what might be the ‘last taboo’ in our industry.

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25 years of Class: Hamish Smith on the relaunch of Class in 2016

After Simon Difford's second spell as editor and publisher from 2009-2014, Class lay unpublished for two years - until Agile Media relaunched the title in the autumn of 2016. Present editor Hamish Smith completes the story.

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25 Years of Class: Tom Sandham on his time as editor from 2007-2009

Tom Sandham took over the reins at Class from Paul Wooton in 2007, before making way for Simon Difford in his second spell as editor from 2009-2014. In celebration of 25 Years of Class, Sandham takes us on a trip down memory lane.

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25 years of Class: Paul Wooton on his tenure as editor from 2001-2007

Following Simon Difford's first spell as editor from 1997-2000 and Bethan Ryder, also in 2000, Paul Wooton held the reins of Class. Here he takes us back to the movers and shakers of his time in charge and how the industry was developing into a world-leading cocktail scene. 

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25 Years of Class: Bethan Ryder on the bar industry in 2000

Following Simon Difford's founding of CLASS in 1997, Bethan Ryder was editor for a short spell in 2000. In celebration of the magazine's 25 year anniversary, she takes us back to the time of The Atlantic, Dick's Bar and Lab. 

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The bartenders’ guide to Bournemouth

Gemma Terry of Ojo Rojo takes us on a local’s tour of south coast town Bournemouth.

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Exploring...Yuzushu

Laura Foster takes a deep dive into the delicious world of this Japanese fruit liqueur, which is creeping into cocktails across the UK.

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Born to be mild: Pete Brown on craft beer's next trend

The big beer style of this year is one of the least likely Pete Brown could contemplate – nevertheless it’s one that he feels is actually worthy of revival.

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Professor Charles Spence: why cocktails need headspace

Leaving headspace above wine allows the volatile aromas to circulate, giving the drinker orthonasal pleasure. Professor Charles Spence explains how this works and why there’s a case to be made for a similar approach in cocktails.

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Single pot still or single malt - what is Irish whiskey's flagship style?

New distilleries are springing up and while single pot still remains key, many are also turning to easier-to-market single malts. Oli Dodd assesses the situation in Ireland.

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Why wine is underused in cocktails

Joe Wadsack challenges bartenders to drop their preconceptions and be more experimental in their approach to using wine in cocktails.

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Professor Charles Spence on the role of smell in taste

As well as aiding our sense of taste, smells can be incredibly evocative. Professor Charles Spence explains how we are led by our noses.

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Professor Charles Spence on the role of touch in taste

 Professor Charles Spence analyses how the sense of touch can be enhanced in the drinking experience.

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Professor Charles Spence on the role of sound in taste

Continuing our series of articles on the psychology of taste, Oxford University professor and gastrophysicist Charles Spence asks everyone to listen up.

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Professor Charles Spence on the role of sight in taste

In the first of a series of articles on the psychology of taste, Oxford University professor and gastrophysicist Charles Spence investigates sight.

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Bengal rum and India's forgotten spirits history

Vikram Doctor explains how Indian rum is both an emerging category and has a storied history, dating back to the 18th century.