The Steeple Times asks drinks industry guru and blogger Gary Hazell: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
“Go with your inner instinct”. I always think that most of us know instinctively what is right or wrong.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
I’d agree with that. I have a salmon priest in my backpack right now to prove that.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
She still is.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I miss Tony Blair.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
I don’t have any.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
The more you owe, the more likely you are to get away with it. If you go to the bank with a good idea, they’ll turn you down. Bankers only care about what they can make rather than how profitable a business may be.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Like”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Charity should begin at home and if you look at our country we give away so much abroad but don’t do enough for our own infrastructure and the elderly.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
There are occasions when I hope that certain individuals on phones should be blown up. Not everyone wants to listen to your conversation. There is an appropriate time to use them.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Molly Parkin, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Jeremy Paxman, Jeremy Clarkson, Sir Derek Bell, Clive Anderson and Howard Marks.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
My own liver sautéed and a fine glass of Bordeaux. I assume I’d be in my cell but if not I’d be by a stream. I love fishing and have my own blog writing about my adventures on the water.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Anytime.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
An aged Martinez cocktail made with the gin I promote, Sloane’s.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
Those given by Matthew Steeples.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Definitely not my stepfather. My wife is an eternal optimist so she’s most definitely the most positive.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Scrumping.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
I admire tattoos but probably wouldn’t want to endure the pain of having one done. If I had to, it’d be of my birth sign, scorpio. I suppose that means I have a sting in my tail.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Jaguar D-Type.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I’ve been put in Bow Street Police Station’s jail for a night.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Photographs of my sons and my wife, an old French Art Deco calendar and a fishing reel.
Gary Hazell is a drinks industry expert. He currently represents a range of spirits brands that include Sloane’s Gin, Purity Vodka and Rebellion Rum. In addition, he shares his passion for fishing with the world via his blog, Tales by the Riverbank.
Read Tales by the Riverbank at: http://talesbytheriverbank.wordpress.com
Follow Gary Hazell on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/talesbytheriver