Whisky/Whiskey lovers!

[Mynki]

11 hours ago, markeb said:

The Scotch whisky lists are pretty solid. The best thing in the premium package that I recall was the Oban 14, which is a great whisky and the onboard price point makes it even more so..

 

If you're looking for a higher end bourbon, you'll probably keep looking. The allocations on almost anything more exotic than Woodfords have gotten so tight that I don't know how a cruise line would get enough, and it just doesn't seem to be there "thing" anymore. Most of the bourbons are mixing whiskies, not sipping whiskies. Which is a shame.

 

Going around the world mentally, I don't recall anything Irish (although there is one in vtcruising's price list) or Japanese. Probably just wasn't looking. And of course the price list is designed to start another whiskey war between Kentucky and Tennessee (once again, for the record, Jack Daniels meets all the legal criteria to be a bourbon; It's ALSO a Tennessee whiskey).

 

So, yeah, Scotch is probably the thing onboard, but you get limited real fast if you're not a MacAllan or JW drinker...

I've never seen any Japanese whisky onboard ever. Which is a real shame as many are very good. To be fair though there isn't that many which would fit within the premium package. I have a few bottles of Karuizawa amongst my investment whisky collection. It's hard knowing I'll never get to drink them. :) 

[mek]

14 hours ago, miched said:

 

They do have Jack.   They need it fr those that only know Jack and Coke.   Don’t know what cola they use.   Not a fan of that drink, Jack or Cola.  

 

Mainly I am a old fashion or Sazerac drinker as they are may standards and go to, but will try any  drink.  I never knew about Sazerac until we had a trip to NOLA.

 

 

I seen a article about Bulleit rapid growth.  It is a decent bourbon.  We toured the distillery a few years back.   Found out that the label was put on crooked accidentally and when Tom Bulleit  seen it he like the uniqueness and look so now the labels are put on crooked. 

 

 

https://www.gobourbon.com/how-bulleit-is-building-their-bourbon-future/

 

a few years back Caesar’s properties in Vegas limited one of their bourbon selection for comped drinks to Bulleit.  That alone would contribute to the sales and It didn’t hurt when it became one of the few bourbons on X.   X also has Bulleit Rye.   

 

We always order a Whiskey Blu when dining in Blu and get one for the road (take out).  It use to be made with Knob Creek but now it is Bulleit.  

 

drink up 🍸🍷🍹🍾🥂🥃

 

Jack is OK as is Makers Mark, but only in mixed drinks.  I live in Cincinnati- right next door to Kentucky and have done the Bourbon Trail.  Long time ago I used to think Makers Mark was really good bourbon and then one evening I was at a bar in Louisville and started chatting with the bartender.  They had just about all brands available and I did a tasting - it was a real eye opener. Not sure about the rest of the world, but bourbon is king around here!

Edited June 13, 2019 by mek

[PTC DAWG]

13 hours ago, miched said:

 

If you like 101 you should try BIB ( Bottled in Bond) bourbons.  They are sealed in a rick house,  aged for 4 years and bottled at 100 proof plus other restrictions.  

 

Here is a good article about it 

 

https://www.seriouseats.com/2015/10/what-is-bottled-in-bond-whiskey-budget-bonded-bourbon-rye.html

 

I have Evan Williams BIB, Heaven  Hill BIB, OGD bib and being a pool player JTS Brown bib ( it was what Fast Eddie drank in “The Hustler” ), and J W Dant bib.

 

 Whenever I see BIB I buy it.   We drive from Mi to FL for the cruises and always stop at a Total Wine Store in KY on the way home to stock up..  There are some in FL  and some in Atlanta.  Check the website for prices in the different states.  Costco has the best price on bourbon but limited selection. I tried their Kirkland Bourbon a few years ago and it was terrible.  It tasted like kerosene. Rumors at the time was it was the same as Woodford because the bottle looked similar, wrong.   I have heard that the product is now different and better.  

 

Regular OGD (Old Grand Dad) is the same mash bill as Basil Hayden.   We were told that they are limited by their fermenting vats and the difference between the two is the aging and etc.  and  look at the bottles, they are almost the same.  

 

Love Bourbon

 

drink Up 🍷🍹🍸🥂🍾🍻🥃

 

Thanks for the link....will be looking for those...

[miched]

11 hours ago, mek said:

Jack is OK as is Makers Mark, but only in mixed drinks.  I live in Cincinnati- right next door to Kentucky and have done the Bourbon Trail.  Long time ago I used to think Makers Mark was really good bourbon and then one evening I was at a bar in Louisville and started chatting with the bartender.  They had just about all brands available and I did a tasting - it was a real eye opener. Not sure about the rest of the world, but bourbon is king around here!

 

Have you ever visited Copper and KIngs in Louisville?   It is very unique and a nice place to  have a drink. There is a outside patio and inside bar.   There is a decent HH.  They also have a free tour.  The bar doesn’t open until 4 or 5, don’t remember but that is when HH starts.  

 

they use wine as their base and distill that so it is actually brandy .  Then age it in used bourbon barrels in a cellar that is subjected to very loud music for the vibrations to help the product age in and out of the wood in the barrels.

 

https://maps.apple.com/place?address=1121 E Washington St%2C Louisville%2C KY 40206%2C United States&auid=3767251818945944400&ll=38.257114%2C-85.730415&q=Copper and Kings

 

drink up 🥂🍻🍷🍸🍾🍹

 

Edited June 13, 2019 by miched

[mek]

50 minutes ago, miched said:

 

Have you ever visited Copper and KIngs in Louisville?   It is very unique and a nice place to  have a drink. There is a outside patio and inside bar.   There is a decent HH.  They also have a free tour.  The bar doesn’t open until 4 or 5, don’t remember but that is when HH starts.  

 

they use wine as their base and distill that so it is actually brandy .  Then age it in used bourbon barrels in a cellar that is subjected to very loud music for the vibrations to help the product age in and out of the wood in the barrels.

 

https://maps.apple.com/place?address=1121 E Washington St%2C Louisville%2C KY 40206%2C United States&auid=3767251818945944400&ll=38.257114%2C-85.730415&q=Copper and Kings

 

drink up 🥂🍻🍷🍸🍾🍹

 

No I haven't - I will check it out the next time I'm down there.

[Hlitner]

I have an observation which I will admit cannot be proven.  But prior to the drink packages, Celebrity had an excellent variety of Scotch (I am also a Cognac lover).  But things started to change after Celebrity implemented and promoted their drink packages.  DW and I tend to hang out at the quiet Ensemble bar (on the Solstice Class ships) and used to discover some interesting Scotches.  But on our last few cruises the selection has been sadly diminished although getting friendly with a bar tender might get you something that is still hidden under the counter.  On our last S class cruise (Reflection) we befriended 2 of the Ensemble Lounge bar tenders and they admitted that the Scotch (and other whisky) selections seems to have diminished.   We do not think this is limited to Celebrity as we have noticed some similar patterns on other lines that promote drink packages.  Celebrity tells us that if we have the Premium Package we can get booze up to such and such cost...and simply pay any overage (it is now the same for Classic Packages).  But if there are few high end items (at any price) then cruisers must settle for what is stocked (which is not a great selection).  

 

My own position is that cruise lines should carry the variety of booze brands that one would expect to find in any decent bar.  Why not?  The booze has a very long shelf life and will eventually sell and cruise lines move a lot of booze.  Do you think there is some profit motive involved?  Nah....it would never happen on a cruise ship.  A land based bar must carry a wide inventory of products to compete but at sea there is no competition.

 

It is not just Celebrity but there are similar issues on other mass market lines.  Consider that on Princess it has been darn near impossible to find a decent (or any) IPA beer/ale despite IPA's being very popular on land.  Princess has said they are in the process of expanding their beer list but that it takes time (apparently at least a year) to simply add a product!  And I have a 3000 foot long cruise ship to sell you!  When I ask a bar tender what they have from Islay and they shake their head...it is sad.

 

Hank

[miched]

Celebrity charges $69 for the premium and then the gratuity that pays for the BTs wages.

 

i can buy a decent bottle of bourbon for $40.   I am sure that X doesn’t pay that much for it.   Even if they did I wouldn’t be drinking a whole bottle every day.  If I did drink one bottle every day they would still be making $29 off of that minus the cost of the mix and garnish.  

 

Buy a bottle of rum or vodka at a duty free store.  It doesn’t cost much.  Have many rum drinks and martinis can anyone drink in a day?    Not a whole bottle.  

 

what about a case of beer?   24 bottles in a case.  Does anyone drink a case a day?   A decent case of IPA is around $32 for me.   That amounts to $37 profit off that case if I drink that much per day.  

 

Figure out the bottled water.  A case can’t cost them more than $5.  

 

You can’t consider the overhead that is involved because it was paid for with the cost of the cruise.  

 

If you choose the drink pack as a perk you aren’t paying the full cost of the package but it helps to sell cruises and add to the price of the cruise with extra guaranteed income.  

 

 

At the end of the cruise  during the galley tour they will issue a sheet listing the amount of food and beverages that were used during the cruise.   The amount of liquor and cases of beer isn’t as much as you would think. 

 

My SIL returned from a 7 day cruise on NCL.   She got drinks in the casino thru a promo and got all of her drinks from there while playing or not.  . She only drinks Limon and Coke.  At the end of the cruise the BT told her that she went thru 2 bottles of Limon and he knows that because she was the only one drinking Limon.    She said she gave him $20 at the beginning of the cruise and a lot more at the end after we asked her if he was trying to solicit a tip.   How much is a bottle of Limon?  Not much but some consider it a premium rum.  

 

 

Drink up 🍸🥂🍻🍾🍷🍹

[ghstudio]

If you by at duty free on the ship, they keep the bottle until the end of the cruise.  If you buy off the ship, they confiscate it and hold it until the end of the trip.  (note: your mileage may vary....but those are the rules).  

 

There is no doubt that Celebrity makes a great deal of money on drinks....no one really drinks $69 worth of liquor in a day if you use your home liquor store prices (I'm speaking about US passengers here).  That would be a 5th or pretty good bourbon for me and I can assure you that if I drank 750ml in  day, I'd be dead.  

 

You are on the ship...you are captive....so you get to choose the brands celebrity offers and you pay, either with the package or by the drink.  If you want a good choice of liquors, drink scotch or vodka (maybe gin...I'm not a gin drinker).  Bourbon selection (my drink of choice) isn't great...and I can't speak to rum/tequila's.  As I said in previous post(s), when cruising, I tend to lean towards mixed drinks because the underlying alcohol quality isn't as important (can anyone actually taste the difference between a Ketel One bloody mary or one mixed with Skol?). 

[Vagabond Knight]

Make a visit to the World Class Bar if they have one on your ship (not sure if they have them on all the ships and I'm too lazy to go check).  They have some interesting high end spirits (also not sure if the selections vary from ship to ship or from itinerary to itinerary).  Watch for the special tastings onboard.  They cost a bit, but you'll learn some interesting facts and get to taste some amazing stuff.

 

If you're headed to St. Martin as part of your itinerary, go to Front Street and go just past the yellow Casino building, then look up for the "Blanton's" sign next door.  Go in there and you'll find a most impressive line-up of selections at jaw-dropping prices.  In March, we bought Blanton's Gold (not available in the U.S.), Glenmorangie Companta Private Edition (which I don't think they make anymore), Jack Daniels No. 27 Gold, Jack Daniels Sinatra Select.  Don't recall the prices on the others, but the Blanton's Gold was $70.  The store's been there for 40 years and their employees are extremely knowledgeable.  They'll pack up your purchases and deliver them to the ship for you (of course, you won't get them until the night before you leave the ship).

[acstall]

My husband drinks Knob Creek and would sometimes alternate when on Celebrity between his usual KC, Bookers and Bakers.  A couple of trips ago, our first in a suite, he was told that Celebrity no longer stocks the higher proof bourbons because they are flammable.  Since we know that all spirits are flammable, we thought this was an excuse. However, further conversations indicated that they have to store these higher proof spirits in special lockers.  Although there were attempts to explain, my guess is still that they can make more money on the packages by serving the lower priced liquors. 

[redrobin]

For comparison, here's a link to a Princess whiskey menu I found when searching CC threads.

 

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/Whiskey-Menu.pdf

 

Here's what the Princess website says:

 

A Worldwide Whiskey Adventure

From Scotland and Ireland to America and Canada, and onward to Australia, New Zealand and Japan, the distiller's art takes many global forms. You can explore them all from an expansive new international Whiskey Bar Menu available at The Salty Dog Gastropub and on other select ships*. Single malts and blends. Bourbons and ryes. Award winners, plus new and noteworthy discoveries. Sip a glass of an old favorite. Or try a flight that transports you to a world of fresh experiences.

[zitsky]

Has anyone done the Macallan tasting that I think runs $25?  I think it would be over in 5 or 10 minutes tops.  So would it be a good experience?  Maybe I'm better off spending that money on one of the better Macallans available?

[Bo1953]

30 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Has anyone done the Macallan tasting that I think runs $25?  I think it would be over in 5 or 10 minutes tops.  So would it be a good experience?  Maybe I'm better off spending that money on one of the better Macallans available?

I did it on The Millie and it lasted approximately 90 minutes....

 

On any other ship, this can be different, to be sure.

 

There was an in depth presentation on each bottle presented for tasting and the varieties produced... there were four (4) different ages and three (3) caskings, other ages and caskings were discussed as well.

 

There were six (6) people in our group.

 

I thought it was worth it.... although our tasting was $65.00 p/p.

 

Cheers and bon voyage

Edited July 11, 2019 by Bo1953

[zitsky]

Thank you for explaining that.  I checked the price and it is $25.  So maybe it's a shorter tasting.  It's called "The Macallan Flight Experience".  It doesn't say *when* or *where* it is.  Maybe that information becomes available once you book it.  I will contact Celebrity customer service.

[Mynki]

42 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

I did it on The Millie and it lasted approximately 90 minutes....

 

On any other ship, this can be different, to be sure.

 

There was an in depth presentation on each bottle presented for tasting and the varieties produced... there were four (4) different ages and three (3) caskings, other ages and caskings were discussed as well.

 

There were six (6) people in our group.

 

I thought it was worth it.... although our tasting was $65.00 p/p.

 

Cheers and bon voyage

 

Just curious Bo. Did they discuss the addition of ice and water at all? 

 

O w would be a big no no in some parts of the world. 

[ghstudio]

Woodford double oak and woodford rye are not available on the constellation, even though they are on the printed list distributed on the ship.  Absolut Elix is also not on ship...and on the list.  I haven’t looked at scotches.

Edited July 11, 2019 by ghstudio

[Bo1953]

1 hour ago, Mynki said:

 

Just curious Bo. Did they discuss the addition of ice and water at all? 

 

O w would be a big no no in some parts of the world. 

Mynki - yes to both.

 

We had tastings straight, then with various amounts of 'splash' and with ice....

 

Opened, further, my eyes on how to consume this most wonderful beverage...

 

Still wanting to learn the investment side..

 

Cheers and bon voyage

[Mynki]

14 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

 

 

Still wanting to learn the investment side..

 

Cheers and bon voyage

Did I not email you some links some months ago? 

Apologies if not. I'm getting old and forgetful. ;/ 

[Bo1953]

4 minutes ago, Mynki said:

Did I not email you some links some months ago? 

Apologies if not. I'm getting old and forgetful. ;/ 

Not to worry, you mind is on cruising... LOL

 

I still like exchanging info with you... regardless.

 

Cheers and bon voyage

[Mynki]

5 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

Not to worry, you mind is on cruising... LOL

 

I still like exchanging info with you... regardless.

 

Cheers and bon voyage

It's on business related challenges. The forum is proving a welcome distraction at the minute. :)

 

Leave it with me. I'll send you some info and links where to find more info and track performance etc. Is there any kind of secondary market in the US for investment grade scotch? Dedicated auctions etc? 

[Bo1953]

18 minutes ago, Mynki said:

It's on business related challenges. The forum is proving a welcome distraction at the minute. 🙂

 

Leave it with me. I'll send you some info and links where to find more info and track performance etc. Is there any kind of secondary market in the US for investment grade scotch? Dedicated auctions etc? 

I have been able to find two (2) retail outlets, one in NYC and the other just outside of Philadelphia which has an 'Invitation Only' tastings and auctions.

 

A gentleman who was on The Millie with me two (2) years ago indicated that he would work on getting me an invite to the Philly function. Apparently it is very difficult to get one to either if someone who is not a 'regular' tries to get a coveted invite.

 

I have a friend who conducts estate sales looking out for any 'unopened' liquor so I can have a first look and possible purchase.

 

Cheers and bon voyage

[Mynki]

24 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

I have been able to find two (2) retail outlets, one in NYC and the other just outside of Philadelphia which has an 'Invitation Only' tastings and auctions.

 

A gentleman who was on The Millie with me two (2) years ago indicated that he would work on getting me an invite to the Philly function. Apparently it is very difficult to get one to either if someone who is not a 'regular' tries to get a coveted invite.

 

I have a friend who conducts estate sales looking out for any 'unopened' liquor so I can have a first look and possible purchase.

 

Cheers and bon voyage

 

OK, the first stage is understanding that this is a high risk alternative investment.

Secondly you need to put the work in to choose your investments wisely, obviously...

Thirdly it's easy enough to purchase as many companies will ship to you in the US. You'll just need to investigate shipping and insurance costs as well as any import tariffs that may apply.

 

Finally you just need to find a sales outlet. It can be done privately via specialist FB groups but the dedicated auctions are a lot safer and will attract a lot more interest.

Almost on topic is the fact that Macallan is the most collected whisky in the world with rare examples making silly money, so much so that there are now counterfeit bottles with increased regularity. So take a look at them and what we call 'silent stills', distilleries that ceased production in the past but who's product is highly thought of, and of course they can't produce any more but specialist whisky bars and high end hotels need to replenish their stock. So look out for the likes of Brora, Rosebank and Port Ellen amongst others. 

The big auctions here are all online so no invite or time travelling required etc. 

Give me a day or two and I'll email you some info.  

[amunhbuu]

2 hours ago, ghstudio said:

Woodford double oak and woodford rye are not available on the constellation, even though they are on the printed list distributed on the ship.  Absolut Elix is also not on ship...and on the list.  I haven’t looked at scotches.

 

I find the selection to be very hit or miss depending on the ship's supplier.  It is not just whiskey, but wine as well.  I don't pay much attention to the other liquors.

 

On our last Summit cruise, the only place I saw Woodford Double Oaked was in Michael's Club, which I then snatched up.  😉

[PTC DAWG]

On 6/16/2019 at 10:13 PM, redrobin said:

For comparison, here's a link to a Princess whiskey menu I found when searching CC threads.

 

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/Whiskey-Menu.pdf

 

 

Nice selection there.  

[Phamer55]

Hmm, I thought Celebrity would have a great Bourbon selection. Too bad. I was on the Carnival Horizon last month and the Pig and Anchor always had a bottle of Blantons available. I was able to score one horse bottle cap and my buddy got two!