Recently, Cincoro Tequila, the luxury spirits brand co-founded by NBA icons including Michael Jordan, made a splash with an intimate, exclusive dinner event at the soon-to-open members club, Gravitas.
An epic night in Manhattan indeed!
El Cristiano officially introduced to the world the first ever XR, hosted by founders of the Ultra Premium Tequila brand Karan Khanna and Priyanka Khanna, and co-founder Chris Shaffer. XR is an entirely new category of tequila, Extra Reposado, at Soho Works in West Hollywood, on November 15, 2022.
Guests, inclusive of notable industry players and house members enjoyed an intimate tasting event in the membership workspace’ Loft, featuring a lavish charcuterie spread by Chef Shane Fatemian. The tasting featured El Cristiano’s new XR Old Fashioned cocktail, prepared by mixologist David Brackett.
The launch of XR is El Cristiano’s latest expansion, and the first brand to introduce an Extra Reposado variety. XR is a brand new category in tequila, a delicate blend of 11 months aged Reposado from ex-bourbon american and ex-red wine french oak barrels for complexity and sweetness. El Cristiano tequila prides itself on being sustainable and additive free.
This ultra premium award-winning tequila which officially debuted in May 2022, is always additive free and made from at least six year old blue weber agave harvested from the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. This properly aged highlands agave is the basis of the delicious and clean taste profile of their tequila. The brand has developed a signature and beautiful taste of 100% agave with no additives, and is a featured tequila at Soho House. El Cristiano was born by a passionate group of tequila and liquor industry leaders, award-winning generational premium tequila makers and agave growers, and seasoned business entrepreneurs.
Soho Works is located at 9000 Sunset in West Hollywood, the work-focused collaborative members space extension of Soho House members club. The gorgeous space features a modern design with rustic and refined accents, highlighted by floor to ceiling views of the Hollywood Hills and Sunset Strip.
Photos courtesy of El Cristiano/Jesse Richmond. Event was produced by The Influence.
Image Gallery: El Cristiano Mixology, TV Host George Satsidis with Founders Karan and Priyanka Khanna, Film Producer Tomik Mansoori with Author Jasmin Rosemberg and Artist Matt Smiley, Chef Shane Fatemian, Soho Works Loft, Cocktail Blogger The Gilded Bellini, and VIP Guests at the tasting including Dr. Raj Kanodia, George Satsidis and Ryan Phillippe with founders Karan and Priyanka Khanna and Chris Shaffer.
On Saturday, November 19, 2022, at The Ned NoMad, Busta Rhymes hosted a private EP Album Release party taking over the entire Jazz Club level of Akiva’s Members Club and hotel, a popular New York hotspot. The party, of which guests entered through The Library Room which was filled floor to ceiling with red and black balloons, went from Midnight to 4:00am, with an exclusive guest list of Busta‘s personal invitees celebrating all evening. The party was to honor his new album, “The Fuse Is Lit,” as he toasted with guests into the late night hours.
Other music artists and industry notables at the bash included Dave East, DJ Suss One, Rowdy Rebel, Spliff Star, Giggs, Badius, Capella Grey, Tr Trizzy, Hustle Hard Herbie, Eric The Jeweler (Eric Mavani), Murda Mook, DJ Scratchator, Nicole Mitchell Murphy, Stacie J, Gianni Credle-Harrell, and more.
“The Fuse Is Lit” EP has been trending on the charts, released on November 18th. The album includes a collaboration with Swizz Beatz as producer, and special guests Conway The Machine, Capella Grey, Big Daddy Kane & more.
Busta, all smiles all night, was draped in a powder blue custom Chanel suit and matching puffer jacket ensemble highlighted by red Chanel stitching, a red turtleneck and gold button details. The rap mogul was draped in gold jewelry, his hands donning oversized gold, diamond and ruby rings, for a show-stopping look.
Busta took to the mic once the room was full, noting “I didn’t have a DJ until 8:00pm, shout out to Blends, and a venue until 72 hours ago, okay..ok… let’s be straight, 48 hours ago.., I called my brother Richie Akiva and he pulled off a lot for me, not going to sugarcoat it, love that man.” Guests continued to cheer and shout out their pal Busta, everyone so excited for his EP. He also went on to give additional speeches, and noted “Now I am going to say a few things. First, I AM HAPPY. I have been working on final touches of this EP release for the last 48 hours, and right now I am super in love with being an artist first and when it comes to the creative space especially. When you have real friends and real love and relationships in your life, that just makes all things next level.”
A special DJ set was performed by Busta‘s pal DJ True Blends.
The Ned NoMad continues to have an endless flow of VIPs through its doors, with Dave Chappelle hosting his SNL party the weekend prior, of which Busta and Miguel were both present and performed.
Richie Akiva has been at the forefront of New York hospitality since he opened Butter, followed by Up&Down, The Darby and 1OAK. The Ned NoMad is his latest chapter of an evolved career, bringing New York his latest vision of curated hospitality and nightlife, through the doors of the exclusive Members Club, Hotel, and private lounge.
Exclusive Images from Busta’s EP Release Party. Photo credit: Johnny Nunez