26000

26000 Vodka has been in the news quite a bit lately. What started in Nelson in 2006 as a small, privately owned company, in 2008 they secured a contract with United States Beverages for $10 million (0r $16 million depending watch you read) to supply 250,000 bottles a year for six years.

It is a grain based vodka that comes in three flavours, the first being described as 'Crystalline,' which is unflavoured, Raspberry and Lemon, and Lychee. All three won awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2008.

When I found this article I got a little worried. New Zealand is a small country, so there were only a few options of what the company mentioned might be. On further digging, I found out that earlier this month 26000 had been sold to McCashin's Brewery, another business in Nelson. But only the brand has been sold, not the business itself. This article implies through its title that a vodka business is being sought for liquidation. But 26000 (or, Wakefield Quay, which is its company name), is no longer a vodka business, so I can breathe a sigh of relief. While I am not a big vodka drinker, I always prefer to support New Zealand products, and am pleased to find out that 26000 will continue to be produced.

As far as I can tell, the deal to supply USB still stands, as they are still displaying the 26000 product on their site, but I'll keep an eye out for any change.

Here a video of 26000 Lychee bring used in a cocktail


The recipe, in case you were wondering:
45mls 26000 Lychee Infusion
15mls Bacardi 151
30mls Lychee Juice
3 chopped Lychees (appear to be canned)
Shake and Dump into a Catalina glass
Top with Soda Water