Royal Caribbean has a whiskey tasting class that takes you on a virtual trip to the Old West for a multisensory experience.
When Utopia of the Seas launched, it had the first Royal Railway restaurant onboard that makes it feel like you're riding in a classic train car.
The immersive dining experience caught a lot of people's attention, and it's usually sold out on most sailings.
Since its debut, Royal Caribbean has added Royal Railway Utopia Station Whiskey Tasting as another way to leverage the new venue.
I wanted to see how a shorter duration experience compares, as well as try out top shelf whiskey!
Whiskey tasting in a train car
Alcohol tasting classes aren't new to Royal Caribbean ships, but holding them in a classic train car is not conventional.
If you're not familiar with the new train car experience, this is a custom built platform that simulates what it would look and feel like to ride in a classic train car.
Tickets are delivered to your stateroom, and there's even a platform to wait on to board the train.
Once inside, the car has windows, jostles, rumbles, and does just about everything to evoke the feel of a late 19th century train without the coal or smoke.
The difference between the full restaurant and the whiskey tasting is how much of the story element is incorporated into it all.
The class features three varieties of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. As a novice whiskey drinker, I'm told this is an above average brand.
The cost of the class is $70, although I was able to get it for $59.00 because of a well-timed sale.
You'll be assigned a seat. Tables come in two or four top configurations, and they will seat strangers with you if there are open spots because the restaurant is so small.
Similar to the restaurant experience, your journey begins seated in the train with the simulated ride commencing and the windows opening up.
Each window provides a high definition view of the Old West, and it's so darn impressive to watch.
The combination of the imagery, rumblings, and sounds all combine to make it truly seem like you're riding on a train.
The class is lead by a bartender, who is dressed from the time period.
In front of you are three shots of whiskey:
- Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey
- Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
- Uncle Nearest Rye Whiskey
There's also a plate of nuts and cheese to snack on to help cleanse your palate between sips.
Unlike the restaurant, there's no real story here. The crew member leans into the Old West motif, but there's no bandit, gun fight, or any kind of arc to the experience. The focal point is sampling the drinks.
With each whiskey, you're given an explanation of what makes it different from the rest and how to properly sip it.
It's interesting the difference swirling the drink or not makes, as well as the first sip versus subsequent sips.
I never order whiskey on my own, so taking this class was about better understanding why I might prefer one variety over another.
After you drink all three samples, an old fashioned cocktail is brought out made from the whiskey.
While the straight whiskey is definitely strong, the old fashioned tasted very smooth. I guess I haven't graduated yet to enjoying straight shooting whiskey quite yet.
The entire class took about 35 minutes, which makes it a quick experience overall. In fact, I was a little surprised by how short the class lasted.
What I liked about the Utopia Station Whiskey Tasting is it combines an informative tasting experience with a fun venue.
I see this as a two part experience: alcohol tasting and train ride.
Royal Caribbean offers other seminars on drinks, such as wine pairings. Generally, they seem to all be well-received and this was no exception.
I appreciated the explanations of how one whiskey variety is different from another, as well as the opportunity to simply venture out and try it.
The x-factor is the train ride, because unlike other drink tastings, this one takes place in a really cool venue.
For those that haven't had the chance to experience the sit down meal, the whiskey tasting is a great example of why the tech behind it all is so impressive.
Royal Caribbean invested a lot into building out the train experience, and I really think it's a must-see.
Given the fact you're getting three whiskey shots and a full cocktail, the price is not unreasonable at all.
Cocktails usually cost about $14 each at a bar, and a shot of higher quality liquor can easily cost $12-14 each (if not more).
Plus, the whiskey tasting is cheaper than the restaurant meal, so it allows you to get a sense of what the venue is all about without paying a higher price.
