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Launch Event Recap: Kilts, Cocktails, and Scottish Style

Cator Sparks
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If you haven’t noticed the flurry of coverage, we recently launched our ‘Essential Scotland Guide’ on The Manual. This all came about from one helluva amazing trip we took there in November, 2016. While we were exploring from the Hebrides to the Highlands, most everyone we met asked us if we were going to take part in New York Tartan Week. After hearing how many Scots were coming over for it, we knew this was the best time to launch our guide.

On Thursday, April 6, we hosted 50 friends at the The Macallan headquarters in the Flatiron District of Manhattan to toast the launch. Friends included Gordon J. Millar from Scot Street Style; former ice hockey pro, current Mr. Scotland and Kilted Yogi, Tristan Cameron Harper; Finlay Wilson from Kilted Yoga; Scottish model Simone Murphy; Brand Ambassador for The Macallan, Nickolas Vilalon;  Raul Gonzalez VP Director of Malts, Marketing at Edrington;  Kirk and Chris Bray of Billy Kirk; and Alex Wilcox of Lord Willy’s.

Vilalon came up with three cocktails for the occasion, which we may just be making at home (and office) due to their rousing success. (Recipes below.) We also had thistle embossed shortbread cookies and petit fours glazed with the colors of The Manual tartan thanks to Balthazar’s Scottish pastry chef.

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We toasted the launch and caught up with old friends and new before heading out into the cool evening to gear up for the other exciting events the weekend held including a Scot Street Style party at Barbour as well as the bagpipe-pounding parade on Saturday afternoon. Thanks again to Scottish Enterprise and Visit Scotland for all of their help along the way to make the trip and event so special.

The-Manual-Scotland-Cocktails

The Manual Overdrive

  • 2 oz. Famous Grouse
  • ¾ oz. fresh lemon juice
  • ¾ oz. ginger syrup
  • ¼ oz. Highland Park 12

Keep it Loki

  • 2 oz. Highland Park Dark Origins
  • ¼ oz honey syrup
  • 1 bar spoon Cherry Heering
  • 2 dashes chocolate bitters

Rob Roy

  • 5/6 oz Sweet Vermouth,
  • 1 1/2 oz Cutty Sark Whisky
  • Dash Angostura Bitters

Photos by Amy Ellis

Cator Sparks
Cator Sparks
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
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