The Ritz-Carlton brand is known for luxury but its D.C. hotel is taking it to the next level with its whiskey program. They recently announced the addition of The Macallan 72, the oldest whisky ever released by the distillery, to the spirits program at its Quadrant Bar & Lounge.
Known for its one-of-a-kind sound-aged whiskey program, Quadrant is committed to pushing the boundaries behind the bar. The acquisition of The Macallan 72, one of only 156 bottles in the country, continues in that tradition. It is the pinnacle of The Macallan’s experience in whisky making. Distilled in the 1940s, it is aged exclusively in American Oak Sherry casks and was transferred into re-fill casks during the 1980s to preserve the character of the spirit and allow for longer aging. Unlike most the distillery’s expressions, The Macallan 72 contains a delicate peat smoke. The liquid is presented in ‘Genesis Decanter,’ a crystal decanter handcrafted by Lalique.
“As the whisky market grows in the United States, Quadrant Bar & Lounge and The Macallan continue to pursue excellence in how the spirit is shared, presented, experienced and celebrated,” said Chris Mendenhall, Lead Mixologist of Quadrant Bar & Lounge. “Our program is all about pushing the boundaries of mixology and ensuring we are at the forefront of what’s next, and we are thrilled to grow our prestigious offerings with the addition of The Macallan 72 to our rare reserves.”
The Macallan 72 will be the just the latest addition to Quadrant’s The Vault; a combination safe measuring six feet high and four feet wide, that holds the establishment’s most magnificent and rare reserves. When ordering from the reserve list, guests are taken to The Vault where Mendenhall enters the code, turns the brass five-spoke handle and carefully removes the bottle for guests to view. The Macallan 72 will remain in The Vault in a concealed custom-built glass display case where guests are encouraged to appreciate the one-of-a-kind bottled spirit as one would a renowned artistic masterpiece.
