The Londoner left the Groucho Club last night confused as to whether the party invite had been to a book launch or a vodka party. The trouble is the author of The White Lake, John Borrell, is not just a scribe. He also distils his own spirits from his estate in Poland, which were being served in martinis with lemon and in sours all night to guests including Lady Antonia Fraser and Michael Cockerell.
“I don’t think you should be allowed to write a book unless you own a vodka company,” said Borrell. “Because if you do, then you have much better parties than if you are just an author.” His publisher Charlie Glass tried to marshal Borrell, father of Razorlight’s Johnny Borrell, to focus on selling the book. “What’s it called?” prompted Charlie from the crowd during the speech, “It’s called Vestal Vodka,” said John. “And what about the book?” “Can’t remember.”
