Thanks to Appleton Estate here is your chance to win one of three Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum Tiki Packs valued at $80 to get your party started this festive season.

Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum invokes the super premium spirit of Tiki Culture with the Maile Ku Mug

From the volcanic islands of the South Pacific comes the hottest thing since Elvis in Blue Hawaii; Tiki Culture. This 1950's icon is ready to erupt this summer and it's as kitsch, quirky and downright fun as it was when Tarzan was a boy.

Leading the way in Tiki cool is super-premium spirit brand, Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, with the launch of its exclusively designed Maile Ku Tiki mugs. Created by South Californian sculptural artist Marcus Pizzuti from Tiki Farm, a world renowned Tiki institution, the Maile Ku Tiki mug is as loaded with meaning as it is with cocktail-y goodness.

'Maile' is a traditional Hawaiian leaf used in making sacred ceremonial leis for royalty and weddings and 'Ku' is a fearsome God who was both warrior and protector. The Appleton Estate Maile Ku mug features the classic characteristics of a Ku Tiki - the c-clamp mouth, strong torso and headdress. In addition to these 420ml mugs, Appleton Estate is also introducing some highly amusing (and communal) Drei Moai Volcano and Scorpion Bowls. These may not be the prettiest things you will see this summer but they will certainly be one of the funniest and bring a sense of theatre to Australian bars.

Many an Aussie bar goer has been crying out for some good, old fashioned levity with their cocktail order. Molecular gastronomy and the handblown glassware of Venutian virgins aside, sometimes it's a relief to be a little bit silly and let go of all the pretention that certain aspects of the bar scene engender. Tiki is the perfect way to have a laugh, let your hair down and embrace the spirit of the South Pacific with a wink and a nod to television shows such as Fantasy Island and The Love Boat.

Australia's bar scene is continually developing and evolving, constantly adding new dimensions and drawing inspiration from overseas bars (e.g. Trader Vic, Trailer Happiness) and bartenders who have made the pilgrimage to Australia to enjoy the unrivalled lifestyle. Tiki influences are starting to emerge throughout the Australian bar scene and the Appleton Estate crew from Brown-Forman Australia hope to further elevate the Tiki movement's profile 'down under' with the launch of their new exclusive Tiki mug.

For an authentic Tiki experience, the following customs are essential:
· Tiki Mugs - these are the lynchpin of the whole Tiki experience
· An 'Exotica' soundtrack - anything involving a fusion of lush romantic themes from 1950's Hollywood soundtracks, Afro-Cuban rhythms, environmental sounds and chilled Polynesian Luau tunes
· Rum punch and iconic cocktails such as Mai-tais, Singapore Slings, Pina Coladas and Daiquiris with a tropical, extravagant garnish
· Cantonese food
· Hawaiian shirts, leis and Havaianas

A Brief History of Tiki Culture
Tiki culture in the United States began in 1934 with the opening of Don the Beachcomber, a Polynesian-themed bar and restaurant in Hollywood. The proprietor was Ernest Raymond Beaumont-Gantt, a young man from Louisiana who had sailed throughout the South Pacific; later he legally changed his name to Donn Beach. His restaurant featured Cantonese cuisine and exotic rum punches, with a decor of flaming torches, rattan furniture, flower leis, and brightly colored fabrics. Three years later, Victor Bergeron, better known as Trader Vic, adopted a Tiki theme for his restaurant in Oakland, which eventually grew to become a worldwide chain.

When American soldiers returned home from World War II, they brought with them stories and souvenirs from the South Pacific. James Michener won the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for his collection of short stories, Tales of the South Pacific, which in turn was the basis for South Pacific, the 1949 musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein, also a Pulitzer Prize winner. Hawaiian Statehood further drove interest in the area and Americans fell in love with their romanticized version of an exotic culture. Polynesian design began to infuse every aspect of the country's visual aesthetic, from home accessories to architecture. Source: Wikipedia

The Ultimate Appleton Estate Jamaican Rum Tiki Cocktail
Appleton Estate has always been highly regarded amongst Tiki enthusiasts as the classic Trader Vic Mai-tai (arguably the most famous Tiki cocktail ever created) was originally made with Wray & Nephew 17 year-old gold rum, the predecessor to today's Appleton Estate Extra Jamaica Rum. Other classic Tiki cocktails include Rum Punch, the Hurricane and the Zombie.

Trader Vic Mai-tai - The Original Formula

60ml 17-year-old J. Wray & Nephew Jamaican rum (substitute Appleton Estate Extra Jamaica Rum)
15ml French Garnier Orgeat (almond syrup)
15ml Holland DeKuyper Orange Curacao (orange liqueur)
7.5ml Rock Candy Syrup (sugar syrup)
Juice from one fresh lime

Hand shake and garnish with half of the lime shell inside the drink and float a sprig of fresh mint at the edge of the glass.


Aloha Sailor
By Linus Schaxmann (Platform 3, Melbourne)

30ml Appleton Estate V/X Jamaica Rum
30ml Appleton Estate Reserve Jamaica Rum
15ml Tuaca
30ml Cloudy Apple Juice
10ml Monin Orgeat (Almond) Syrup
10ml Fresh Lime Juice
1 Dash Angostura Bitters
Top with ginger beer

Shake with ice and strain into an Appleton Tiki mug full of ice and top with ginger beer.
Garnish with exotic flower or a flaming passion fruit hull.
NOTE: The measurements outlined above are for a standard cocktail. You may need to increase the quantities based on the size of the Tiki mug.


About Appleton Estate Rum
Renowned for producing the world's finest rums since 1749, Appleton Estate is Jamaica's oldest sugar estate and distillery, led by Master Blender, Joy Spence (the alcohol industry's first female master blender/distiller). Appleton Estate Jamaica Rums are small batch, tropically aged and hand-blended to produce the rich, smooth and complex premium aged rums that can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks, in sophisticated rum cocktails, or blended in long drinks with your favourite mixer. Boasting a warm golden colour, a rich aroma and flavourful taste, once you discover the difference, you will never go back. "Rum... but not as you know it."

There are four varieties:
· Appleton Estate V/X a premium blend of fifteen different aged rums RRP $42.99
· Appleton Estate Reserve an indulgent blend of rums with a minimum age of eight years RRP $54.99
· Appleton Estate Extra a finely crafted blend of rums with a minimum age of twelve years RRP $66.99
· Appleton Estate 21 year Old is a luxury blend of ultra-premium rums with a minimum age of twenty-one years RRP $219

For further information, please visit www.appletonestate.com.au

* You must be over 18 and be able to provide proof of age to enter this competition.