© Cunard/The Savoy/Jack Daniel's
BY GAIL BARNES SUSTAINABILITY SPECIALIST
In possibly the most unique promotion ever to take to the high seas, three of the world’s most highly acclaimed brands are embarking on a unique collaboration that circumnavigates the globe.
Cunard, The Savoy and Jack Daniel’s are producing the Age of Discovery – a specially created, barrel-aged, limited-edition cocktail, which in a novel twist, will mature in a hand chosen 300 litre Jack Daniel’s barrel taken on board Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 during her 41,000 nautical mile, four-month world voyage, which departed from Southampton on January 10, 2016.
According to Cunard, “Age of Discovery has been formulated by the team at the world-famous Savoy Beaufort Bar, named best international hotel bar 2015. Inspired and influenced by the tastes and aromas of the continents Queen Mary 2 will visit, from Europe to Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania, the Jack Daniel’s cocktail will be mixed at The Savoy before the barrel is sealed and bonded for its world voyage”.
The Age Of Discovery cocktail features a blend of Savoy Select Jack Daniel’s single barrel, Jack Daniel’s Old No.7 and Bacardi 8, with Spice Trail Madeira, Dubonnet, Martini Riserva Rubino and Earl Grey and cocoa nib bitters.
During her four-month circumnavigation, Queen Mary 2 will visit 39 ports of call in 27 countries. The barrel will be secured in open deck space for the duration of the voyage to expose it to the varied elements and climates that will influence the final result. Prevailing temperatures, humidity and sunlight – as well as more inclement conditions – will combine to produce this truly unique barrel-aged cocktail.
The progress of Age of Discovery is being charted via social media using the hashtag #AgeOfDiscovery throughout the passage as it appears in the world’s most iconic ports and cities. The barrel also has its own unique Log Book. When Queen Mary 2 returns to Southampton on May 10, 2016, the barrel will be ceremoniously unloaded and will travel to the specially commissioned Houston Bottling & Co pack plant in West Dunbartonshire.
It is estimated that the unique barrel will yield a minimum of 250 litres of Age of Discovery, which will become the latest in The Savoy Collection, one of the world’s most prestigious and unique collections of one-of-a-kind spirits and liquids. Launched in 2013, The Savoy Collection was created with the support of esteemed cocktail experts, Speciality Drinks, to celebrate the rare and the beautiful from the world of drinks.
“The Jack Daniel’s and Bacardi represent the discovery of the Americas, while the Dubonnet is there as a symbol of Cunard’s royal associations,” said Niel Donachie of the Beaufort Bar. “The spice-infused madeira, used to sweeten the cocktail, is synonymous with the famous spice trail and oceanic expeditions and was known to be a favorite beverage of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II.”
“Cunard is proud to partner with The Savoy in creating Age of Discovery,” said Richard Meadows, president of Cunard North America. “Both Cunard and The Savoy are distinguished luxury brands that are renowned for the rich experiences and service that we both provide for our guests. We are also delighted to offer the unique opportunity for our guests to sample a non-aged version of this cocktail on board Queen Mary 2 as we continue to inspire and captivate individuals worldwide in the adventure and excitement of a Cunard world voyage.”
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024