During a recent Disney Cruise, we participated in the Whiskey Tasting. The class is a chance to learn about how whiskey is made and to try four different types. The class costs $28 per person and the amount is charged to your room. It is important to note that if you would like to do one of these tastings, you should sign up when you check in to your cruise or first thing when you board the ship on the first day.
Our tasting was located in the old Outlook Cafe, which is sometimes used as an expansion for the Concierge Lounge. It was the first night of our cruise at 10:00 pm. We were pretty tired by the time the tasting came around since we were still on East Coast time.
When we arrived at the Cove Cafe, we were told to head upstairs where everything was already set up.
There were four different tastings set up for each person, along with a glass of water.
The various whiskeys we would be trying were on a table at the front of the room so we could look them over.
The class started with the instructor giving a history of whiskey and the various ways it has been made over the years. He also instructed us on how to sample the whiskey, which was to take the glass and swirl it. Then tilt the glass down towards the nose. We should smell the bottom of the glass first, then the top. The bottom of the glass would have more of the aroma of the whiskey where the top was mainly alcohol.
I’ll now try to pass along the information we were told in the class with the caveat that I know nothing about whiskey, scotch or bourbon.
The first whiskey we tried was an Irish whiskey. The instructor told us that most Irish whiskeys are mixed into drinks. The name of this whiskey was Middleton, which is a blend of different 12 to 16 year old whiskeys. They are all made in a pot still.
The second whiskey we tried was Glenmorangie, which is a single malt Scotch whiskey. It was aged 10 years in bourbon barrels and then two in port barrels. Most Scotch whiskeys are blended (this one was not).
The third whiskey we tried was Blanton’s, which is a Bourbon. Blanton’s is made from corn and aged in white oak charred barrels, which imparts the flavor to Bourbon.
The last whiskey we tried was Whistle Pig, which is a straight Rye Whiskey. It is made in Vermont. It has a lot of spices in it.
While I enjoyed the class, I didn’t enjoy the whiskey. A bit too much straight alcohol for my taste. I prefer my whiskey with lots of coke! We did have a great time talking with our fellow cruisers, many of whom we continued to see during the rest of the cruise!
If you have enjoyed this article, please be sure to check out our Disney Cruise Line information page, which has useful hints in addition to our cruise trip reports!