“When we launched our company five years ago, we were a group of energetic guys ready to take on the world,” says Simon Ford, one of the founders of The 86 Co. “Now we’re just hoping that we’ve made our mark.” For 20 years, Ford was one of the world’s foremost experts on cocktails, racking up awards while promoting premium pours like Plymouth Gin and Absolut Vodka. Then a casual conversation in the back of a bar convinced him to launch his own line. In 2012, The 86 Co. released its first four spirits: Caña Brava Rum, Aylesbury Duck Vodka, Tequila Cabeza, and—his namesake—Ford’s Gin.
The thing that old guys like me always say is: ‘I wish I had done this when I was younger.’ But then I wouldn’t have had the experience that you get from 20 years in the business.
“I’ve got the best job in the world,” says Ford, who just moved into a new office at WeWork Hollywood. He gets to create spirits “with a lot of character and lots of body,” the kind that don’t get lost in a martini or mojito. The 43-year-old Ford is the public face of the company, so that means a lot of nights out on the town. “That’s definitely one of the major challenges of being in this industry,” says Ford. “You can’t walk into a bar and not drink your own brand. And you’ve got four more bars to visit that night,” he laughs. “But it’s also the fun part. It keeps me young.”
Photos: Kat Wickstrom