By Rebecca Harris
Appleton Estate rum has this week released its brand-new Tiki mug, dubbed the ‘Rum God’.
Created by Crazy Al Evans, a renowned Tiki sculptor, the mug combines his trademark Hawaiian style with the traditional Ku (top of Tiki hierarchy) design, along with tribal tattoos to signify the ultimate ‘Rum God’.
This is the second year Appleton Estate has released a Tiki mug, with last year’s ‘Maile Ku’ mug proving a huge success in bars across Australia.
The new ‘Rum God’ mugs will be available at select bars, including Rambutan and Eden Bar & Restaurant in Sydney, as well as Golden Monkey, 1806 and Seamstress in Melbourne.
Tiki is a kitsch Polynesian trend whose popularity began in the 1930s with opening of Don the Beachcomber, a Polynesian-themed bar and restaurant in Hollywood.
The restaurant featured Cantonese food and exotic rum punches, which were served with flaming torches and huge floral garnishes.