James Stimson - Senior Brand Manager

With 15 years of industry experience, James joined the business from Spirit of Manchester, a major gin distillery, with an impressive background that includes working as a chef in a Michelin star kitchen, bartending in key bars and cities across England, and serving as a WSET educator. He also founded and owns Forty-Five Vermouth. As Senior Brand Manager James is tasked with the overall strategy and growth of Franklin & Sons across all our active markets.

What is your favourite drink?
Wow, this is a hard question to answer, the drinks I reach for most tend to be boozier and stirred down but anything with good clarity of flavour and presentation will grab me - Pinned down I would probably say a Sazerac which is excellent when made long with our Mandarin & Ginger Soda.

Which disco drink needs a comeback?
It's not particularly disco but where did grasshoppers go? What's so wrong about an after eight in a glass?

If you were to create a brand, what would it be, what would you call it, and which celebrity (if any) would be the face of it?
I would open a diner/bar called Jackie Daytona's, in the evening the speakeasy cocktail bar beneath Jackie Daytona's would open called Lazlo's - Matt Berry would be my celebrity endorsement.

What's your favourite part about working in the drinks industry, and what keeps you motivated?
Firstly, the weirdos – This industry is the first place I have ever felt completely at home and that's because it's a melting pot of the strangest people, and strange people are the best people. Secondly, flavour and hospitality are two words that have been at the centre of my life for the longest time and this industry provides me with like-minded people who understand that perspective needing to be central to existence. I am motivated by creativity in the industry and love to create environments where I can platform individuals to show their abilities.

You can only save one: The Manhattan, The Daquiri or The Martini. Which one are you choosing?
This is an impossible question to answer, and I'm genuinely upset I've been made to answer it. When any of these drinks are well made, they are incredible, but as an everyday go-to I guess I would say the martini – with an olive.