Name: James Nicolian
Company: Exotic Booze Club
Job Title: Captain
What's your desert island drink & why?
Pina Colada: no explanation necesary
We have many different favourite bars depending on the occasion. What's your favourite for: A. Pornstar Martini & Date Night? B. A Bloody Marry & Brunch? C. Rum Punch & a party?
A. LAB for a Pornstar Martini
B. Swift for a date night
C. Trailer Happiness of course!
Which drinks industry heros have inspired you & how?
Giles Looker and Michael Butt for setting me on this path. Andy Campana for believing in me and training me. The B@1 boys for showing me how to rock out. Paul McFadyen for making me feel like relentless enthusiasm is a state of mind. Salvatore Calabrese and Peter Dorelli for proving that growing older does not mean slowing down and fizzling out (old veg makes the best soup). My younger brother Micheal Nicolian for being a perfectionist without being a "knob" and Joseph Wood for taking me places. And finally Carlos for being... well Carlos.
Do you hace a favourite Cocktail Ingredient and why?
Apple Juice in my early career for making everything taste good! Now I would say Tequila for keeping me enthusiastic at every weary moment!
If you could only drink alcohol which orginated in one country where would you choose & why?
The Caribbean for its love affair with rum.
Which spirit/ingredients has your favourite packaging? How important is this?
Poitín - because it usually comes in a bottle with no label.Do you have a preferred mixer / soft drink / non-alcoholic option and why?
Water baby! Cos it’s ice and... no need to explain ultimate thirst quencher
What's your favourite food to pair with drinks?
Anything fried!
How did you get into the drinks industry?
Stumbled!
What do you love most about your job?
The people I cross paths with make it for me! So many different characters every bloody day on both sides of the bar.
And the worst bits?
The hangover - but I guess if you do the crime you do the time.
If you could share a cocktail with anyone who would it be and why?
It would be my brother Simon Nicolian. I miss drinking with him a lot! It’s been too long.
Do you have any recommended reads for booze lovers?
Cleo Roccos - The Power of Positive Drinking.
What are your Exotic Booze goals?
To make as many people happy as possible!
What advice do you have for aspiring Drinks professionals?
"Drink Less, Drink Better" - and if that path fails you enjoy and embrace the hangover - you might surprise yourself at what can be achieved on an off day.
What's your pet drinks industry hate?
Rude hospitality staff who take their customers for granted.
What's going to be the next big drinks trend?
Tequila baby!
What have you learnt from lockdown - any positive takeaways?
That the industry community is tight and together in times of crisis. That I can really rely on my team and that if you focus on keeping people happy then anything is possible.
Any other pearls of wisdom or drinks rants?
Shots are rarely a good idea.
Do you have a preferred mixer / soft drink / non-alcoholic option and why?
Water baby! Cos it’s ice and... no need to explain ultimate thirst quencher
What's your favourite food to pair with drinks?
Anything fried
How did you get into the drinks industry?
Stumbled
What do you love most about your job?
The people I cross paths with make it for me! So many different characters every bloody day on both sides of the bar.
And the worst bits?
The hangover - but I guess if you do the crime you do the time.
If you could share a cocktail with anyone who would it be and why?
It would be my brother Simon. I miss drinking with him a lot! It’s been too long.
Do you have any recommended reads for booze lovers?
Cleo Roccos - The Power of Positive Drinking.
What are your Exotic Booze goals?
To make as many people happy as possible!
What advice do you have for aspiring Drinks professionals?
Drink less drink better - and if that path fails you enjoy and embrace the hangover - you might surprise yourself at what can be achieved on an off day.
What's your pet drinks industry hate?
Rude hospitality staff who take their customers for granted.
What's going to be the next big drinks trend?
Tequila baby!
What have you learnt from lockdown - any positive takeaways?
That the industry community is tight and together in times of crisis. That I can really rely on my team and that if you focus on keeping people happy then anything is possible.