Now almost half way through their 12-week incentive program with Tequila Herradura, The Deck Bar in Darwin is turning up the heat, with the launch of the first ever cocktail on tap in the Northern Territory; engaging customers to try their unique house Herradura Tommy Margarita for a chance to win an all expenses paid trip to the original Tequila Casa Herradura in Mexico.

In a unique collaboration and first of its kind globally, The Deck Bar, along with 11 other select venues, partnered with Tequila Herradura earlier in April, meeting in Sydney, to select and purchase their own, unique barrel of Herradura “Double Barrel” Reposado Tequila and enter into an incentive program that would give each venue the opportunity to win their place on a trip of a lifetime to Mexico.

Named the ‘Australian Casa Select’, these venues will become the exclusive owners to this barrel of Herradura “Double Barrel” Reposado Tequila later this year; an opportunity usually only befitted to venues with a high volume turn over.

While the select 12 prepare for their unique batch of Herradura Tequila – barrel 787, to land in Australia, these venues from QLD, NSW, VIC, ACT, SA, WA and NT have each been given an individual incentive target to meet over the coming weeks, encouraging customers to experience Tequila Herradura in new ways for their chance to win a trip to the original Tequila Casa Herradura.

There are just seven weeks left of the 12-week Herradura brand incentive program. Each venue will need to have met their individual target by the end of the program to receive a place on the trip, while the number one performing venue will also receive the actual oak barrel that was used in the secondary ageing process of the Double Barrel Reposado Tequila. All proceeds raised from the program are being invested back into hosting the group in Mexico in July.

This week’s featured bar from the program is the representative for the Northern Territory – The Deck Bar in Darwin, and one of the best venues in the state for nightlife – it’s all about good food, great drinks and friendly, efficient service here. Located directly across the road from Parliament House, this venue is just a short walk from the main hustle and bustle of the CBD. It is named after the bar’s large outdoor deck area, which sits among tropic surroundings – a hot spot among locals after work for a place to wine and dine.

The Deck Bar is open for lunch and dinner, Monday-Friday, with a breakfast and snack menu also available on Saturday and Sunday. The style of food is bar friendly with an Asian influence; the lunch menu is broken up into every day favourites, lighter options and health options, featuring delicious salads, which aren’t usually found on the Darwin bar food scene.

The venue also has an impressive beverage list, which covers all areas of spirits, beers, wine and cocktails. With over 90 beers from all over the world to choose from, staff at The Deck Bar are always digging up something new for their customers to try. Its wine list also changes regularly and its cocktail list is matched perfectly for the warm climate, and if that’s not what you’re after, the bartenders at The Deck Bar are always happy to whip up something that’s off the menu.

drinks bulletin spoke to Jason Hanna at The Deck Bar to find out more about their Herradura Tommy Margaritas, what it means to be one of very few to select and purchase their own barrel of Herradura “Double Barrel” Reposado Tequila and how they’ll be serving its customers Herradura tequila over the coming weeks for a chance to be selected for a once in a lifetime trip to Casa Herradura.

drinks bulletin: What does it mean to you to be one of very few bars to be able to select and purchase your own unique barrel of Herradura “Double Barrel” Reposado tequila?

It’s a privilege, as was the opportunity to be invited to Sydney and introduced to the whole Herradurra team – networking with some of the best venue operators in the country.

DB: What is it about the Herradura brand and or history that resonates with you?

I’m a massive fan of the Seleccion Suprema, however the history of Herradura creating the first ever Resposado which ‘expression’ accounts for 80 per cent of all tequila drunk by local Mexicans resonates with me when I sip one. My first ‘wow’ tequila experience was quite a few years ago in Longrain with the Hacienda de Cristero – also a Herradura label. From then on I began my experimentation with all quality tequilas I could find.

DB: How will you be introducing your customers to Herradura over the next 12 weeks?

We have launched the first ever cocktail on tap in the NT as a Herradura Tommy Margarita; we are serving the original Resposado with a pineapple, chilli and coriander sangrita; and we are offering the Seleccion Suprema for a discounted price point to allow our everyday customer the ability to taste the luxury that is a super deluxe spirit. For the industry folk, we have a case of Seleccion Suprema, which we are serving as a ‘break-even bottle’ as cost price to spread the good word (minus a shot for me!).

DB: How will you be serving the ‘Australian Casa Select’ – Barrel 787 at The Lion Hotel when it arrives?

We will serve it neat, as a sipping tequila primarily. It will also go great on a flight board, allowing the customer to compare the variety of Herradura expressions.