The excitement of the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Megan Markle at the Windsor Castle, UK has spread over 4000 miles to reach India as well. A special charity sundowner event held at DLF’s luxury mall, The Chanakya to celebrating the British Royal family’s special day. Master Blender, Stuart Harvey, was brought down all the way from Scotland by International Beverage Holdings Limited to keep the spirits high through a bespoke tasting session of Scottish single malts and gin. Harvey, one of the world’s leading master blenders, introduced the ‘timed to perfection’ premium single malt, Balblair, the classic Speyside malt, Speyburn and the hand-crafted super-premium gin, Caorunn. The event was conceptualized by Reshma Punj who was inspired by the work of Mumbai-based Myna Mahila Foundation which is one of the seven (and the only non-British) charities chosen by the royal couple, who have requested guests to donate in lieu of their wedding presents.
The sundowner event, proceeds of which will be contributed to the NGO, had senior members from the British High Commission Kieran Drake, Jo Burden and Alex Cameron present to welcome guests. As Alex Cameron said, “The event was our way of appreciating them while celebrating the Royal Wedding along with the rest of the world. I am honoured that so many people and organizations supported the cause. Also, to have IBHL bring down their master blender to take us through their award-winning single malts and gin, was a perfectly fitting way to raise a toast in celebration of the Royal Wedding,”
Reshma Punj noted, “As a matter of fact, one of our single malts being served this evening, Speyburn, has its special anecdote attached to the Royal Family. Its first barrel was laid down in 1879, to ensure that the single malt was ready just in time to toast Queen Victoria’s Silver Jubilee.”
Meanwhile, Stuart Harvey added, ” Seeing the fervour of people and the celebrations around me, I surely do not miss being in the UK right now,” Stuart Harvey, the only professional in the global industry who is both a master blender and a master brewer. Among those who contributed to the evening’s raffle prizes were Rohit Bal, Naina Balsaver and Ravissant among others.
