www.TheFloatingRumShack.com

Destination: New Zealand

Two things needs to be cleared up right from word go.  #1 - This is a RUM blog!  Vodka has featured just once before and whilst I remember saying before 'that once was enough', I'm also pleased to wheel out point #2 - Shout-out's to our friends are the trump card.  Thus with this in mind, we are prepared to open the doors to our 'spiritual' enemies from time to time.

So what can really justify the inclusion of ramblings about spirits (etc.) that don't have a sugar cane family tree?  Just in case you haven't twigged: 42Below is a vodka from New Zealand!

Well, it's simple - a good friend of TheFloatingRumShack.com is part of a team vying to represent the UK in the 42Below Cocktail World Cup.  A grand sounding name to be sure, but a serious (yes serious) competition that combines fun and real skills.  The friend in question is James Wynn-Williams from our most frequented rum abode: Trailer Happiness.  T.H. is definitely a rum bar deep down in its soul, but a good bartender has to be more than just one spirit.  The cocktail competitions that run throughout the year pull in those who are at heart a creator and showman.  The industry has many levels, just as with any profession, social group or class room - a certain percentage rise a little higher than their peers.  I don't want to make James' head any bigger - but his humour cracks us up and his skills with a cocktail are very apparent!

James is part of the West London team who will be competing against other UK teams for the chance to head to New Zealand and a chance at winning the crown.  Public support is a good thing and James, Danny Winter and Stuart Fritz, both of LAB London are all pretty shameless in seeking just that.  For those on Facebook - there's the fan page [click here] and I'm sure that they would love to have you support them.

I could tell you all about the winning drinks created so far by the West London boys, namely the South Island Iced Tea, Granny's Swine Flu Stinger or the Red Root-Master, but I'm going to use this opportunity to give a shout out to another blog worthy of your attentions: Bitters & Twisted.  Daniel Priseman writes rather nicely about the cocktail competitions and by clicking here, you can check out his piece which also tells you all about the 42Below West London Team and their drinks.  Once you've finished reading this piece - jump over to Daniel's site and read his piece - it's worth a moment or two of your time for sure.

Returning to the competition I can tell you that in the past, the contestants have found themselves tied underneath helicopters, trying to shake cocktails or making cosmopolitans whilst bungy jumping!  Hmm - that's sounds like a serious competition (not!), but it's not just about the fun.  The prospective winner has to be able to create a cocktail from a list of ingredients that you would find in an average bar.  This means the 'fancy Dan' syrup's and all the 'lah-de-dah' have to be put aside unlike some of the other competitions.  This sounds more like it I reckon: level playing field and only a person's skill and imagination can raise them above the crowd.

The national finals are mid-February 2010 (which is not that far away) and they are being held on the roof of Shoreditch House.  The theme of the Cocktail World Cup is "Love, Drink and Rock 'n' Roll Baby".  James has already been spotted in leopard skin hot pants.  There are rumours that large sums of money have been put forward to make sure that this doesn't happen again.  To get to this stage, there's already been a fair bit of graft put in.  It's a competition that runs in stages throughout the year.  The culmination being a NZ tour in March 2010.  Check out the competition website for more details.

The UK has featured well before and so 'no pressure!' James, but the nation expects!  More news as we get it!

The Facebook Fan Page for the West London team [click here] 

http://www.cocktailworldcup.com/

http://www.trailerhappiness.com/

http://www.lab-townhouse.com/

http://www.bittersandtwisted.com/content/its-not-all-fun-and-games-honest

http://www.shoreditchhouse.com/