DRINK CULTURE

Cruise operator Holland America Line has significantly enhanced its single barrel whiskey program. What started last year as a single barrel select bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery has evolved this spring to a collection of nine unique single barrel options sourced from top distilleries across the country.

Each whiskey featured in the Ocean Bar across the fleet has its own unique story and flavor profile.“ With this collection of rare and unique spirits, we’ re not only providing access to sought-after single barrel bourbons but also creating an experience that can’ t easily be replicated anywhere else,” said Drew Foulk, senior manager, beverage and dining operations & innovation for Holland America Line.

For instance, Holland America Line secured two barrels of W. L. Weller bourbon in two distinct expressions from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY. Weller Full Proof bourbon features strong vanilla and oak notes, with a rich mouthfeel and a balanced finish, the company says, while Weller Antique 107 has notes of dark cherry and vanilla with bold heat up front and a smooth, rich finish.

Holland America Line also selected three unique barrels from Angel’ s Envy in Louisville, KY. These single barrel flagship bourbons, aged five to six years, are known for their port cask finishes after initial maturation in new American oak.

Angel’ s Envy Barrel # 1 is port barrel-finished and well balanced, with notes of anise, nutmeg and brown sugar. Barrel # 2 is Madeira barrel-finished, with notes of ginger, leather and caramel, ending with a smooth lasting finish. And Barrel # 3 is port barrel-finished, with notes of butterscotch, malt, hickory and maple.

The 1884 single barrel from whiskey brand Uncle Nearest in Shelbyville, TN, offers a balanced heat, with toffee and caramel notes on the finish, complemented by warming spices and notes of sarsaparilla. WhistlePig 15−Year Rye, bottled at 100 proof, features rich, earthy notes with subtle floral undertones. This is a blend of straight and malted rye, offering a complex yet delicate finish.

The Woodford Reserve collection includes a single barrel flagship bourbon from Woodford Reserve in Versailles, KY. This single barrel has a bolder flavor than the flagship, with notes of stone fruit, biscuit, toffee, caramel and a slight peppery spice on the finish.

Holland America also has a port-finished American single malt from Seattle’ s Westland Distillery, plus a peated single barrel from Westland specifically for its PNW Penicillin cocktail, created by acclaimed bartender Sam Ross.

Co-owner of Attaboy in New York and inventor of the Penicillin, Ross in 2024 developed a menu of exclusive drinks featured in the bars on all of the cruise line’ s Alaska ships.

Spritz-style drinks taken off in the U. S. in recent years several reasons. One is the embracing of the art of aperitivo— the Italian tradition of gathering for a low-ABV drink and savory snacks.

Aperitivo is ingrained in Italy’ s culture, says mixologist LP O’ Brien, Netflix’ s Drink Masters winner. Speaking at a recent masterclass and aperitivo hour at Milady’ s in New York, O’ Brien noted that“ aperitivo is an opportunity to relax, connect and embrace this moment that you’ ll never have again. We don’ t have that in the U. S.”

Why are Americans embracing aperitivo now?“ People are drinking during the day,” said Roberta Mariani, aperitivo expert and brand manager of Italian spirit Italicus. Consumer palates are changing, and they’ re seeking beverages with lower-ABV and less sugar.

The origin of the word aperitivo means“ to open,” as in open the appetite or“ prepare the body for a meal,”

Mariani said. The botanical liqueurs used in spritzes and other aperitivo drinks actually started out as medicine, such as bitters for digestion, she noted.

The rosolio category of botanical Italian liqueurs— typically a neutral distillate infused with regional citrus, flowers or herbs, then sweetened and diluted— was largely forgotten until 2016. That’ s when spirits innovator Giuseppe Gallo created Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, with notes of Calabrian bergamot and floral spice.

Aperitivo is more than a drink, O’ Brien said.“ It’ s a moment of pause, a bridge between the daily grind and a moment of connection.”

www. cheersonline. com Summer 2025 • Cheers 5