The Masterclass takes place below the restaurant area, where they store all of their drinks.
And while I wanted to stash every delicious bottle along the wall in my purse,
LUCKILY, the first bottle of champgane didn't already go to my head
and I was able to maintain my composure and wait for the stuff we'd be served.


We learned how champagne is made, why it tastes the way it does, and the differences between good champagne and

... well okay, it's all good champagne.

We'll just say 'between good champagne and better champagne.'

 We had a glass of each champagne and I was completely surprised that I was able to taste some differences between them.
I know - not all champagne just tastes like champagne?? Who woulda thought?

Turns out, the longer a champagne is left to age, the less bubbles there are,
and with these you will get much more of a smoother, rich taste.
Which is why if you're opting for the cheapest bottle on the shelf this New Years Eve,
your bubbly will be extra bubbly.

All in all, it was another fantastic night filled with fantastic drinks.
And what's even better -
 Notes London holds these Masterclasses for FREE! Yep, you heard it right!
Keep up to date with their facebook page to find announcements on when the next events will be.

 

 

Ever thought you could have something in common with an assassin?

This show has been getting buzz since it was announced months ago.

With it's star-studded cast of Broadway and West End vets, it was guaranteed to be a good one.

And let me tell you - IT IS.

Assassins is a musical that tells the story of nine folks who attempted (some succeeded) to take the lives of the Presidents of the United States.

It takes you past the guns and to the people - what they thought, what they felt;

their side to the story.

Narrated by the Balladeer and the Proprietor,

they play a sort of 'good angel,' and 'bad angel' throughout the show.

The Proprietor puts on a sickening of sorts carnival style game of the assassinations,

while the Balladeer sings their stories as he proclaims his disagreement with their reasoning for murder.

There are moments in this show, though.

Moments of sincere shock - where you almost feel for these characters;

understand them.

"You want what everybody wants. To be appreciated. To be valued.

To be in other people's thoughts.

For them to think of you and smile. "

To be able to create a show of the most horrifying of people,

and allow us to find a commonality with them to be able to sympathize is a tremendous thing.

Something I personally never thought was possible.

And that is one reason why it is such a wonderful show.

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Performed inside the Menier Chocolate Factory, a space that seats only 180,

there is an incredible intimacy within the show.

You truly feel apart of the story - 

all the way through to the end, when those 'lucky' few get the chilling experience

of staring death in the face.

Aaron Tveit is an obvious standout in this show - taking a complete turnaround from the 'all-American charmer' we all know and love him as, he takes on the role of John Wilkes Booth exceptionally well,

executing the great angst, hate, and passion that's brewing inside him.

Catherine Tate is another stunner as Sara Jane Moore.

From her inability to handle a gun to not having a clue about what is going on in her life,

she brings a needed comedy to this eery production.

Simon Lipkin, however, is the one to watch.

He keeps the show moving while changing characters to an extreme degree.

From the haunting Proprietor, to a gentle President Ford,

even to an assassin's young child,

he is incredibly impressive to watch - and truly showcases his abilities as an actor.

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Overall, this was one of the best shows I have seen this year.

I will defintely be going back again ... and again.

I mean, the show doesn't officially open until tomorrow and I've already seen it twice.

Do I need to give you any more proof?

Assassins runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory until March 7.

Performances run Tuesday-Sunday 20:00, with matinee performances on Saturday & Sunday at 15:30.

The running time for this show is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes with no intermission.

 

Berkeley Square Gin

This was my first favorite.

....between the only two I had drank so far .

It was much more herby, infused with sage.

It'll be garnished with basil in your gin & tonic.

This was so incredibly smooth going down - 

and when it comes to straight liquor - I do like it smooth.

Whitley Neill Gin

On to the third!

It contains 9 African botanicals, including the baobab tree and physalis.

Don't worry - I had to look these up too.

The baobab tree looks like the Lion King tree, and physalis is a fruit similar to the tomato.

The gin goes down very smoothly, so obviously it became my new favorite.

This drink is also garnished with an orange twist - YUM.

 Sipsmith Gin

My new favorite of the night... I promise this doesn't become a pattern.

Okay it sort of does.

Anyways - Sipsmith Gin contains 10 botanicals, including almond and lemon.

It's garnished with lemon and vanilla. I know - you're drooling already.

Well it tasted just as good as it sounds.

A little strong, a little spicy, and the aftertaste of almond was surprising and delicious.

Elephant Gin

So this one didn't make my list of favorites taste-wise,

BUT

it was my favorite brand.

Elephant Gin is made in Hamburg - you know that's where The Beatles played, right?

Surprisingly, though, that's not why it's my favorite.

15% of the profits are donated to two foundations that support the preservation of African Elephants.

Each bottle is named after a famous elephant - you can see we were drinking to Duke on this night.

  

 

 Williams Chase Gin

 The big winner of the night!

Distilled from organic apples, and garnished with an apple slice the taste is so fruity, and fresh.

I mean, it tasted like apples! How could I not choose this?!

------------------------------

Next up - the drinks.

Like I said, I chose Williams Chase.

And Heather

-although I thought her cucumber craze would take over-

decided to try something different and chose Sipsmith.

Our fantastic teachers concocted everyone's favorite gin & tonics,

and we were sent upstairs to the main floor to enjoy, mingle, and eat the snacks that were supplied to us.

Booze and mini-burgers?

It actually doesn't get any better than that.

The Warwick is located right off of Regent Street at 1-3 Warwick Street.

The closest Tube Station is Piccadilly Circus - close as in, it's right around the corner,

so don't worry about getting lost after you've decided to try each type of Gin & Tonic they have to offer.

Thank you to The Warwick Bar & PRandEverythingInbetween for this lovely event and a great night out!