Renowned for his fresh approach to cocktail-making, a-lister in the Kiwi bartending scene Alastair Walker is set to hit Ōtautahi on 1 March to host a celebration of all things shaken and stirred.
As a part of 2025’s DramFest Trail initiative, the co-owner of Deadshot, Rocketman, and Caretaker Bar will be serving exclusive sips from an Appleton Estate-inspired menu at none other than Christchurch's The Austin Club. If this is your first time at this locally-loved speak-easy, you can expect all things groovy tunes, inventive cocktails and good times.
In the lead-up to his Austin Club takeover, we teamed up with Appleton Estate to steal Ali for a quick kōrerorero on all things work, life, and rum.
What first sparked your interest in bartending?
“I built a sense of intrigue in the spirit space when I was encouraged to taste gin straight at my first bar job. This opened my eyes to the difference in flavour profiles and the extreme craft involved in spirit making.”
You have 2 mins to summarise your career, go.
“It all started in Manchester while studying Theology. I caught the travel bug and jet-setted worldwide. On this journey, I met the wonderful Michael Madrusan while he was searching for a space for his Milk & Honey offshoot—The Everleigh. I was lucky enough to be taken on by Michael as one of two full-time employees. The other employee? She just so happens to be my now wife Heather. After The Everleigh Bar, Heather and I decided to move across the ditch and go out on our own. We started with the opening of Caretaker in 2016, then Deadshot in 2018, and our latest baby, Rocketman in 2024.”
How did growing up in the UK shape your interest in the scene of all things tasty tipples?
“The English Northern bitters played a massive role in the early days. Having a wide range of different spirit varieties so accessible to me as a young English chap in the hospitality scene also played a massive role. And of course, growing up in a country neighboring Scottish drops of pure joy was a massive bonus.”
Was there one moment where you thought, yup, I have found my passion?
“It would have to be a simple conversation my Mother and I had on hosting. She told me that this job is like having a party every day. And I mean who could want more than that."
What do you love most about NZ’s spirit scene?
“It's exciting, non-stop, and constantly challenging. New Zealand's spirits are amazing and unlike anywhere else, the love and cultural essence that goes into them shows in every sip.”
As an owner of some of the country’s most well-known sipping spots, what does a typical day in your life currently look like for you?
“Between the bars and life as a Dad, no two days are the same. I can however usually count on something needing to be fixed, a few speed bumps over service time, and a lot of chatting.”
How do you see the NZ spirit scene evolving in the next five to ten years?
“The appreciation of whisky and rum is rising more and more. So I am expecting to see a lot more collaborations between other spirit producers worldwide.”
The countdown to DramFest is officially on, tell us a bit more about The Austin Club Takeover and your exciting collab with Appleton Estate.
“My fascination never stops with the flavour characteristics of Appletons and its classic funky Jamaican style that guarantees an amazing tasting cocktail. Having always served Appleton's Estate as a Jamaican rum I plan to stick true to this flavour profile for the Austin Club takeover. We’ve put together a tasty menu so I am super excited to land in Christchurch and see it all come to life. My aim with the menu is to keep it simple and let the rum shine. ”
What elements from Caretaker’s bar experience do you plan to bring into The Austin Club for this event?
"The opportunity to let the attendees sip Appletons just like they did back in the golden era of drinking cocktails. The drinks being served are all from Classic cocktail books and when made right, these drinks are incredible.”
On the topic of rum, do you have a current fav?
“You can't go wrong with the Appleton's Aged 12 Year for a stirred cocktail or even as something to sip on. It's big, the nose is massively aromatic and the flavour runs for days.”
Tell us about your philosophy when it comes to the secret to a good dark spirit.
“It's all in the weight and its transition into the length of the flavour. From start to finish, the body of the dark spirit should hold your attention right through to the last ebbs of flavour.”
Ok last one, you can only drink one cocktail for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
"Sazerac—a drink that transforms as it warms up. If you get your dilution right, this drink is just a true champion. "
Join Walker this March 1st and enjoy a range of top-shelf tasty tipples. For the full details and to secure your spot at the bar, see here for the full details.
Also offering several other activations throughout DramFest, if you can’t make it down to the Austin Club Event, there is no question that Appleton Estate fans as well as everyday fellow festival goers will have ample chance to try some seriously good sips throughout the festival, visit here for the full event rundown.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by APPLETON ESTATE and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why, read our editorial policy here.
Image: APPLETON ESTATE