Friday’s global launch of Beefeater 24, the new super premium from Beefeater, was an epic with Syon Park, the London home of the Duke of Northumberland transformed into a recreation of the famous eighteenth century Vauxhall pleasure gardens. Outside, everywhere one looked there was something amazing – ten foot tall Irish angels, a fire breathing mechanical horse, spooky space age spider things, magicians, cancan girls, elaborately dressed drag queens, fire eaters, monastic figures moaning in the bushes. Inside it was just as spectacular with a high wire trapeze show accompanied by 50s rock and roll and a performance from latest hot band Iglu & Hartley.

We got our first taste of the elixir as Beefeater has cleverly drawn on the skills of some of the world’s top mixologists to create cocktails to showcase the botanical flavours of 24 perfectly. And with contributions from the likes of Gary Regan, Nick Strangeway, Charles Vexanat, Sasha Petraske, Dan Warner Dre Masso, Anastasia Miller and Jared Brown there were certainly some to die for drinks accompanied by best of British food. The 400 strong guest list was pretty amazing too ranging from celebs like Jade Jagger and Lily Allen to lots of  Gintime movers and shakers. The evening ended with a stunning firework display complete with aerial choreography of the numbers 2 and 4. No question a new star has burst on on the gin scene. You’ll be hearing a lot more about Beefeater 24 on these pages. In the meantime however Gintime congratulates Master Distiller Desmond Payne and Chivas Brothers for a truly fantastic evening and an even more fantastic gin. Click here to see photos of the event.