On Board Tastings

[TheBigErn]

I booked my on board activities and port adventures but as silver level, didn't get some of my top choices for tastings. We did get Bourbon tasting, Cognac tasting, and Whiskey tasting. I'd like to hear opinions from those of you who have done any of these.

 

[TheBigErn]

I'll add beer tasting to that question too.

 

[sethschroeder]

There are tons of videos out there which might help.

This cruise was going to be our first tastings as well so watched a bunch of videos. Ultimately decided to just upgrade to concerige instead so we cancelled the tastings and excursions.

 

[meliscan]

I am sure you have done this before but keep checking as things open up. Also if nothing opens up before you cruise when you get onboard you can often find openings. On the Fantasy you used to go to La Piazza and they would check the reservations and they almost always let me in.

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

I'll add beer tasting to that question too.

We've done the beer tasting on both the Magic and the Fantasy. It was definitely well worth it on both occasions. We got to sample 5 different beers (the photo is from the Magic in December 2019) and they were ones that we normally would not have at home. As mentioned above, if you can't book right now, make sure you check with Guest Services once you are onboard. We were able to pick up an additional tasting that didn't show up in the online activity bookings and were also able to switch our Mixology tasting to a more convenient time than the one that showed up for the online activity bookings.

 

[Henlady]

Selections of a previous Bourbon Tasting
(Pre pandemic):
They offered 1.5 oz pours of Blanton's, Jack Daniels Sinatra, Larceny and Woodford Reserve. Everyone walked out of there buzzed and happy.

 

[TheBigErn]

Perhaps my question wasn't clear. The opinions I'm looking for are how poi liked the tastings that I've listed (Beer, Cognac, Bourbon, and Whiskey). Did you like them? Were they fun? Would you do them again? Or did you not like them?

 

[HiStitch626]

Haven’t done cognac or bourbon, but we did whiskey couple of years ago on the Fantasy. It was in the Meridian bar in the evening and the atmosphere was just beautiful. We really enjoyed the tasting especially because we were not knowledgeable about whiskeys. I do not remember what we tried exactly, but I know that one was a blend, which I did not care for and one was a single malt that was 24 or 30 years old, and I thought that was pretty great.

 

[eeyora68]

I did a martini tasting with my mom neither of us like martinis but we had fun I think one tasted ok to us but the faces we made it was fun

 

[Cruising Engineer]

We have enjoyed all the tastings, including beer (which I normally don't really like). The reason we keep signing up for them - no matter what ship - is the variety and education. Most of the samples are from well-known distilleries but the bottle is of much higher quality and cost than we would normally purchase for at the house. Some bottles are unique distilleries that are not in the shops here in NM.

When the tastings are late in the evening, they are more educational than fun. Fun is very present in the mixology type tastings at two in the afternoon. I learn a lot about each pour, distinctive tastes, how it was produced, time in the barrel, etc. They are thoroughly enjoyable and we keep going back for more each cruise. And it's an opportunity to taste really good and really expensive spirits.

 

[rhinodadz]

Perhaps my question wasn't clear. The opinions I'm looking for are how poi liked the tastings that I've listed (Beer, Cognac, Bourbon, and Whiskey). Did you like them? Were they fun? Would you do them again? Or did you not like them?

I've done all three. As another poster mentioned these tastings tend to be more educational than "fun", but still enjoyable. A lot depends on the crew member who is conducting the tasting and the guests attending. It's a good way to try some spirits you perhaps otherwise wouldn't. Would definitely do them again.

 

[bedgraynexl]

I've done the Bourbon tasting. I really enjoyed it because it introduced me to a new spirit as well as how to enjoy it properly. Bourbon has now become my go to liquor thanks to Disney! That is what the tastings are all about. Trying new things.

As others have said the mixed drinks tend to be more fun and the single spirits more educational. I've done bourbon, wine, mixology, and martinis. I think you will enjoy the ones you are in.

 

[csgrkw]

I've also done a number of tastings including Whiskey, Bourbon, Mixology, Cognac, Rum & my personal favorite, the Mojito & Caipirinha. Both the Whiskey and Bourbon tastings were excellent and educational, although not the equivalent of taking a distillery tour itself...but really well done in a cruise ship environment (and that's coming from a KY boy who enjoys his bourbon). The Cognac and Rum tastings were in the Meridian lounge, which is my favorite place for tastings due to the atmosphere. I hadn't experienced cognac before, so I really found this one enlightening. However, Mixology & Mojito/Caipirinha turned out to be the most fun of the bunch, yet still plenty educational.

As others have mentioned, there are many facets of tastings that play a role in one's enjoyment, so location is important and the crew member is critical in how fun and educational the tastings are. Also, some of the crew members will share recipes for their drinks and some add a twist of their own to some of the drinks.

My final thought is that for the tastings I've enjoyed, I've had good friends and family participate as well...and no doubt, this enhanced the experience.

 

[csgrkw]

I've done the Bourbon tasting. I really enjoyed it because it introduced me to a new spirit as well as how to enjoy it properly. Bourbon has now become my go to liquor thanks to Disney! That is what the tastings are all about. Trying new things.

As others have said the mixed drinks tend to be more fun and the single spirits more educational. I've done bourbon, wine, mixology, and martinis. I think you will enjoy the ones you are in.

Glad you enjoyed bourbon to that extent. Based on your taste preferences, if you like a sweeter bourbon and can get your hands on a bottle, the Weller line of products (especially the 12 year and the antique) are amazing and are good values compared to their more expensive counterparts (Pappy Vanwinkle).

 

[daedelus]

I've done pretty much all of the tastings and always had a good time. It does indeed depend greatly on your cast member who is doing the tastings, but it's usually a member of the bar staff who knows their stuff pretty well. They like to put a menu / check folio in front of the bottle for a "reveal" after people have guessed what certain liquors might be, so that's fun.

Note that a lot of the hard liquor tastings are at 10:00pm on a lot of the ships, so you're going to be tight if you have second dining. And yes, you do leave "well lubricated" from those... :-D

My absolute favorite has been the rum tastings - I'm a huge rum fan. But I've learned a lot at the whiskey, scotch, bourbon, etc tastings as well. Wasn't a huge fan of the mojito one, but my wife likes those, so we still had fun.

Mixology is a lot of fun if you can get into it - it's very popular. On some of the longer cruises, they do chocolate and liquor tastings - HIGHLY recommend that. Insane what they can pair up there. And some of the best chocolate you'll ever have too.

Cheers!

 

[JWelch62]

I've done pretty much all of the tastings and always had a good time. It does indeed depend greatly on your cast member who is doing the tastings, but it's usually a member of the bar staff who knows their stuff pretty well. They like to put a menu / check folio in front of the bottle for a "reveal" after people have guessed what certain liquors might be, so that's fun.

Note that a lot of the hard liquor tastings are at 10:00pm on a lot of the ships, so you're going to be tight if you have second dining. And yes, you do leave "well lubricated" from those... :-D

My absolute favorite has been the rum tastings - I'm a huge rum fan. But I've learned a lot at the whiskey, scotch, bourbon, etc tastings as well. Wasn't a huge fan of the mojito one, but my wife likes those, so we still had fun.

Mixology is a lot of fun if you can get into it - it's very popular. On some of the longer cruises, they do chocolate and liquor tastings - HIGHLY recommend that. Insane what they can pair up there. And some of the best chocolate you'll ever have too.

Cheers!

I've done the Rum and the Scotch on the Wonder. I've really enjoyed them both. The tastings were at 10:15 in the Cove Cafe. A little late, and you definitely are "happy" when you leave. It's funny how much the atmosphere in the room changes over the course of the tastings.

I will second the chocolate and liquor pairings. Really good. And we always try to get the mixology and margarita/tequila tastings. These are very popular and the frequently add some tastings to the schedule on embarkation day. So, check when you get on board to see if there are available.