Archive for the ‘Bilge’ Category

In case you were wondering how to pronounce it, or need a little ditty to remember it by, here’s a video of the Mai Kai gents playing their song Okole Maluna at the Bali Hai.

Hi Folks, long time no chat.

Well, that’s because I’ve been busy. How busy? New parent and small business owner with a dayjob busy. I still manage to get in my leisure time, usually at the bottom of a rocks glass.

About a year ago, I was approached by the owners of another company of similar name, and asked cordially to stop calling myself a Trader and go off and do something else. I fought tooth and nail, but they weren’t having it. So, in respect to the original “Trader”, and with the advice of a few good friends, I am moving forward with the name change from Trader Tiki’s Exotic Syrups to B.G. Reynolds’ Exotic Syrups.

What else is changing about the product? nada, zip, squat, zilch. You’ll still recognize the label on the shelf, the wonderful Dr. Bamboo illustration on the front, and all the damned good stuff that’s inside. The biggest difference you’ll see is the name, and my big ol’ smiling mug on the front.

I’m also going to be expanding the webstore beyond just my wonderful syrups. The whole concept behind the syrups was to make great stuff available to everyone, bartenders and home mixologists alike. So, now that people know where to get the best in syrups, I still get asked where to get glassware, straws, party gear, mixing equipment, and so on. Well, give me a few months and you’ll be able to get the right here at OkoleMaluna.com.

I want to give huge mahalo to all of my friends who have worked so hard on helping me get this project to where I am now. In early 2009, I got the inspiration to start this little business taking my homemade syrups to a larger audience, and now, the syrups are being used by bars around the country and across the globe (Amsterdam and Greece are the latest sightings). I also must thank you, my readers that became my patrons, and my patrons that became my regulars. Thank you for believing in what I do, and being the best sales and advertising team money can’t buy.

Okole Maluna, and bottoms up!

- Blair Garrett Reynolds

C’mon folks, I’m not going to beg, bargain, plea or… whatever other action is needed to get you to nominate Trader Tiki’s Exotic Syrups for best new product award at Tales of the Cocktail.

All I’m going to do is ask nicely, suggest it as a “karmic bonus” at best.

Though perhaps, let’s say, I were to get nominated, selected as a finalist, and even possibly named best new product. What would happen then? Good things, I’m thinking. Really darn good things for everyone. What exactly? I’m not sure yet, but I know you’ll like it.

Okole Maluna!

Have you got the Smarts?  The BarSmarts that is.

Pernod-Ricard just launched BarSmarts Wired, a way to make sure you can get all the spirits and cocktails knowledge you need without leaving your keyboard. Based on materials from the BarSmarts Advanced Program, BarSmarts Wired is entirely internet based, meaning reading materials, videos, quizzes and even a “virtual bar” are at your disposal online.  The only thing that’s not online is a lovely bartending kit, endorsed by Dale DeGroff and emblazed with many a BarSmarts Logo.  The kit includes a computer bag, muddler, shaker, mixing glass, spoon, hawthorne and julep strainers, jiggers, and this great little combo knife/channel knife/zester.

BarSmarts was a program developed by Pernod-Ricard, bringing in the fellows from B.A.R. to develop the materials, intended to bring this exclusive program to the masses of bartenders who can’t fly to New York for a week.  The Wired program goes even further, allowing even the embittered imbibers in such cocktail dead zones as Tulsa, OK to get some much appreciated spirit and cocktail  learnins.

The program is suggested at 4 weeks, focusing on distillation and spirits production, the history of spirits and cocktails, cocktail development, and bartending service.  There is a good 16 hours of combined reading and video watching, and a 25 question test at the end of each section.  Reading material can be printed for offline reading, and the BarSmarts bartending kit can be used for offline drinking (highly suggested).

I just took and passed the course myself, which officially designates me as BSWC (BarSmarts Wired Certified).  What does this mean for the bartenders out there?  Realistically, not a lot of bar managers will have any clue what this means.  But, explained well enough, this can be a “one-up” on the competition when you hand in your résumé.  And the cocktail enthusiasts, well, you’ll definitely find a vast level of knowledge when it comes to spirits production and history.  The 25 drinks every bartender should know is a great way to find the basis of popular drinks, as well as finding new favorites, and can very well surprise house guests and even your favorite bartender.

The Wired program runs through September 30th.  At $45, the bartending kit alone is a deal.  The knowledge that comes along with reviewing the materials and videos, absolutely priceless.  What are you waiting for?  Register now!

Hey there folks, you still with me here?

I’ve been a busy bastard lately.  I’ve unleasehed a new spring menu upon the patrons of Acadia Bistro, greeted foreign dignitaries (well, from PA and LA), and am now just counting down to hit the Grand Marnier Mixology Summit.  On top of that, there’s the ol’ dayjob, prepping for Tales of the Cocktail 2009 and the CSOWG Summit… yeah, plenty going on, including a few new projects still in the concept stage.

I’ve still got a few posts almost ready to roll for the EZ Tiki series, got in a nice Fugu from Munktiki for a Fugu for Two post, and have gotten sample after sample after sample for participation in the Thursday Drink Night over at the Mixoloseum bar.  I’ll also be setting up a few posts from the Mixology Summit.

Just dropping a line, thanks for reading!