On board Celebrity Xcel, bourbon and whiskey drinkers delight in a bounty of spectacular sips.
When Celebrity Cruises opted to have a signature single barrel on board its ships, the team carefully chose a nuanced bourbon whiskey. In 2024, both Beth Squires and I joined the beverage and hospitality team for the unique opportunity at the Rabbit Hole Distillery in Louisville. Over a year later, my experience on the newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, proved that the robust and diverse spirits and cocktail options exceeded expectations.
Cruise ship guests have long basked in the beverage packages that keep the glass full from the moment that they step aboard. Whether travelers prefer the easy option or appreciate the ability to expand their palate, the vast and varied spirits and cocktails entice at every opportunity.
While my time on the Celebrity Xcel was brief, but jam-packed; the newest Edge ship has one of the most abundant bar programs. Although its sister brand, Royal Caribbean, leans towards more classic vacation vibes, Celebrity Cruises cultivates guests who appreciate quality over quantity.
Whether it is a complex cocktail at the World Class Bar or a classic martini drunk under the chandelier, Celebrity Cruises understands that its guests want to savor the drinking experience. The beverage team’s carefully curated offerings appeal to that sophisticated spirits drinker.
Rabbit Hole Stands Out on a Crowded Bar Shelf
A champagne toast might be part of a traditional christening, but the pour that I longed to sip was the signature Rabbit Hole bourbon whiskey. Currently, the Celebrity Xcel pours the fifth expression in this line. While the connection through each barrel release is clear, this particular one has a subtlety that I overlooked in the first expression.
Before enjoying a scrumptious dinner at Luminae, I enjoyed a neat pour of the 105.2 proof spirit. The 175/294 bottle is part of the 2025 release.
The cask strength single barrel bourbon whiskey has the characteristics that I expected from a spirit finished in a Pedro Ximenez Sherry cask. Even before the first drop hit my lips, the dried fruit sweetness was clear. As a person who loves a Luxardo cherry in my Manhattan, that sweet note brought excitement and a sense of whimsy. Although I was not Alice eating her cake, my palate did seem to expand in anticipation of the next sip.
Building on that sweetness, the smooth mouthful enticed. Without ice or a drop of water, I allowed each sip to linger and chose to ponder it. Over time, I could find some spice, nut, and even a little more sweetness. It grew, contracted, and went through the journey again.
The gentle waves often rock me to sleep on a cruise ship, but the Rabbit Hole Signature Bourbon Whiskey is more of an invitation to explore. I found myself going back, wondering what I would discover next, hoping to find that answer, and surprised at what I found.
As a specialty, signature spirit, this Rabbit Hole bottle is an upcharge at the Craft Social Bar. Personally, I found the price reasonable, especially given the uniqueness of this offering.
Celebrity Cruises’ Jan Sorensen Discusses the Rabbit Hole Partnership
During the Celebrity Xcel naming cruise, I asked Jan Sorensen, Vice President of Food and Beverage Operations, about the Rabbit Hole partnership, its success, and what it means to the cruise line. While the company has a highly regarded wine program and several signature offerings across the ships, the Rabbit Hole collaboration is special. The specialty offering is now in its fifth edition.
Although the bourbon brand is well-regarded in the whiskey world, it is more of an “in the know” scenario than the highly publicized Whiskey Pig or classic offerings from Angel’s Envy. Even on that crowded shelf, the pink label draws their attention, and guests are drawn to the experience of the specialty offering.
Sorensen emphatically said that the Rabbit Hole collaboration has been “absolutely overwhelming.” From the well-versed spirits drinker to the person excited to hear the bartender’s complete explanation, it has been a game-changer for Celebrity Cruises.
Most importantly, Sorensen believes that the connection between Celebrity Cruises, Rabbit Hole, and the guest is ongoing. That first sip at the bar is the first step. Enjoying that bourbon whiskey at home only further connects them to an experience that nothing else comes close to at sea.
Given the Rabbit Hole success, Sorensen revealed Celebrity Cruises is exploring these types of partnerships with other spirits brands. Specifically, he shared, “Moving forward, we are playing with other spirits too, like tequilas. Our director beverage program was in Mexico on a trip there to further develop and understand some of the agave products. I’m looking forward to debrief with him and hear what he has to say with that.”
From whiskey to wine, and potentially agave spirits and other options, Celebrity Cruises entices the sophisticated, educated, and experiential drinker to its bars. Luckily, this Xcel cruise vacation is a journey full of endless possibilities.
Read the full article at Going Down the Rabbit Hole: Celebrity Xcel Guests Toast This Exclusive Bourbon
