By Sacha Delfosse – editor bars&clubs
Award-winning brand ambassador and the founder of The 86 Co., Simon Ford, is in Australia to conduct a series of tastings and presentations for his spirits range.
The 86 Co. range of specially-formulated spirits – which includes Ford's Gin, Aylesbury Duck Vodka, Cana Brava Rum and Tequila Cabeza – was developed by Ford in conjunction with Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric and launched last year.
The range was produced with bartenders in mind, even down to the ergonomic one litre bottle design, which features measuring marks down the side.
"Collectively, Jason, Dushan and I have been in the business for a combined 60 years, so I'd say we know our way around a shaker, muddler and other bartending accoutrements," said Ford.
"Having made this our chosen profession, our products are distilled with an infinite understanding of function, efficiency, mixability and quality of ingredients, which is why we tapped into our network of bartending colleagues to ensure we were delivering upon their expectations." [continued below]
86 Co's Simon Ford (third from right) with the Black Pearl team
Australia is the first export market for The 86 Co., and is being distributed by local premium spirit importer Vanguard Luxury Brands, which has organised a series of educational sessions for bartenders.
Ford spent last week in Melbourne and hosted sessions at The Everleigh, Black Pearl and Eau de Vie, while also jumping behind the bar at Black Pearl for a guest bartending shift.
He is now in Sydney and will be hosting tastings at Low 302 today at 2pm and Mojo Record Bar tomorrow at 12pm.