Bourbon drinkers love the panache of unique, exclusive, and rare bottles. To enjoy one of these rare bourbons, people will travel far and wide for that elusive pour, but the experience is worth it. Grab the passport and embark on a cruise vacation with a satisfying sipper.
Royal Caribbean just revealed that several rare bourbons will be available exclusively on three of its Oasis Class ships in The Mason Jar Southern Bar & Restaurant. The ships are Allure, Wonder, and Utopia. The Mason Jar Southern Bar & Restaurant is a signature dining experience that features many specialty bourbon and whiskey cocktails, as well as Southern favorites and an exceptional brunch.
The specialty curated collection of bourbons available at the restaurant includes Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year and 20 Year, Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year, Sazerac 18 Year, and others. These offerings join Royal Caribbean’s robust beverage line and specialty cocktails.
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According to Royal Caribbean, these bottles cannot be found anywhere else at sea. Given that guests are savvy, they thirst for something beyond the everyday pour. The beverage team found a way to leverage its relationships to offer guests the specialty offerings.
Vacations are about exceptional experiences, allowing indulgence and creating memories that last a lifetime. Beverages are essential at those moments.
As an avid cruise vacationer, I thirst for the opportunity to enjoy a signature spirit, special offering, or unique beverage. The moment extends beyond the amber liquid in the glass. It is a shareable moment, a fond memory, and a reason to continue my spirits’ education.
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READ THE STORYRoyal Caribbean just made big waves, and whiskey drinkers are taking notice. Now, if they would offer one of those bottles for purchase.
Why Will Bourbon Drinkers Seek These Exceptional Bourbons?
Unique, rare, and elusive bourbons are the holy grail for whiskey drinkers. Although I might have a coveted bottle behind my home bar, the reality is that traveling to enjoy one of these releases adds another layer to the drinking experience.
Cruise ships have begun to cater to these sophisticated drinkers. Whether it is a signature spirit, like Celebrity Cruises’ Rabbit Hole bourbon or this Royal Caribbean curated collection, the high-end offerings are as important as the classic, uber-popular pina colada.
For example, the Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 Year is one of the rarest whiskies available. It is the brand’s only rye and often sells for $1.400 a bottle. Being about to enjoy just a glass in a stunning setting can have some people booking a vacation just for the drinking experience.
Securing these special bottles is a tremendous opportunity for Royal Caribbean. The beverage team has been focusing its offerings beyond the traditional vacation fare. As Royal Caribbean’s Head of Beverage Ed Eiswirth told me onboard Star of the Seas, the brand continues to find ways to impress guests with its menus. This newest offering is another example of how Royal Caribbean stands out amongst its competitors.
Since Royal Caribbean tends to cater to a multi-generational cruise guest, it proves that this demographic wants the opportunity to enjoy higher-end offerings. One night, I can sip a Skrewball cocktail, and the next night I can savor a Pappy Van Winkle. That opportunity entices me to book.
More importantly, I found that this type of opportunity reduces the barrier to entry to the high-end spirits world. Being able to enjoy a Sazerac 18 Year or a Pappy Van Winkle is more than just venturing away from that everyday pour of Buffalo Trace. It is about taking a journey through the spirit world, appreciating the craftsmanship, and being able to add a new chapter to their drinking story.
While it is unclear which bottles will be available on every cruise, people will book a reservation and gather at the bar for a chance to enjoy one. It is worth the upcharge for the sophisticated palate who appreciates the opportunity.
The Mason Jar Southern Bar & Restaurant Balances Tradition and Creative Cocktails
While the buzz surrounding the rare bourbons grows, The Mason Jar Southern Bar & Restaurant continues to be the destination for bourbon and whiskey drinkers on the Royal Caribbean fleet. With a hint of down-home charm, the creative cocktails balance tradition and innovation.
The exuberant bar space is one of my favorite spots onboard. Next to me at the bar, I have a person who can discuss the complexities of a rye’s spices and another person who has never ventured beyond a Jack and Coke. That balance of approachable and sophisticated even appears on the restaurant’s cocktail menu.
For example, one of the restaurant’s signature cocktails is the peanut butter and jelly bourbon cocktail. As the name suggests, it is meant to be playful, yet it is far from simplistic. Even the garnish, the perfect bite of a classic PB&J sandwich captures that vibe. The complex flavor evolves with every sip. The taste might be a nod to the back porch, but it is not grandma’s sipper.
Every cocktail and bottle offered behind the bar balances the restaurant’s storytelling as well as caters to a specific audience. While the well-informed bourbon drinker will appreciate the offerings, the space welcomes people who want to explore. It is a slice of Southern hospitality that epitomizes what the space is meant to be.
Royal Caribbean just made a huge move in its spirits program with the reveal of these highly sought-after rare bourbons. Today’s cruise vacation is not just frozen cocktails on the Lido deck. Sophisticated and unique have become a priority for beverage directors. For this whiskey drinker, it is a change that I am delighted to toast.
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