Jack Daniel’s cruise-aged cocktail returns

Barrel-aged cocktail The Age of Discovery has returned to The Savoy’s Beaufort Bar after a four-month maturation period on the deck of a cruise ship which sailed around the world.

Age of Discovery was matured in a 300 litre Jack Daniel’s barrel on board Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2

Created by the bar team at The Savoy, the cocktail was matured in a 300 litre Jack Daniel’s barrel on board Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 during its 41,000 nautical mile four-month voyage.

The cocktail itself contains 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.

With only 700 serves available, guests can order Age of Discovery at the Beaufort Bar as an exclusive cocktail; inspired by the vast journey the barrel has taken.

The drink is presented in a custom-made glass with a magnified base and is served on top of a map board which shows the journey and temperatures the barrel went through during its global voyage.

Queen Mary 2 visited 39 ports of call in 27 countries, during which time the barrel was secured in open deck space to expose it to the varied elements and climates that have influenced the final result.

Anna Sebastian from the Beaufort Bar said: “The Jack Daniels and Bacardi represent the discovery of the Americas, while the Dubonnet is there as a symbol of Cunard’s royal associations. The spice-infused Madeira, used to sweeten the cocktail, is synonymous with the famous spice trail and oceanic expeditions.”

Nidal Ramini, head of advocacy at Jack Daniel’s added: “We have a great partnership with The Savoy and they’ve been hand-selecting their own Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel for five years.

“As the only whiskey maker in the world to craft every one of our own barrels, the idea of a barrel-aged cocktail, containing the very whiskey that Daniel chose when we went to Tennessee together, travelling the world, was music to our ears.”

Angus Struthers, Cunard director, said: “We are delighted to have worked in partnership with The Savoy to create the finest and most unique cocktail in the world on board the finest ocean liner ever built as she circumnavigated the world.”

The cocktail is available at the price of £90 or £350 for a bottle at The Savoy’s Beaufort Bar and on board Queen Mary 2.