Emirates announced this week that they’ve revamped their spirits offerings in all three classes of service. This new selection has been designed by an in-house team of experts who spent two years working with suppliers to curate their offerings. Emirates takes their alcohol seriously — after all, this is also the airline that has invested 500 million USD in their wine program.
With Emirates’ new spirits menu, they’re serving over 30 new spirits across their three classes of service, and this selection complements the over 80 wines that they serve across their network every day.
Here’s what we can expect in first class, which is the most remarkable:
The new spirits menu on board includes a mix of niche, hand-crafted brands as well as popular and well-loved spirits such as Hennessy cognacs in all classes including the exclusive Hennessy Paradis in First Class and for a limited period on select routes the extremely rare Hennessy Paradis Impérial.
Other brands served in First Class include the Dalmore King Alexander III, the only single malt Scotch whisky in the world created using a unique six-cask finish; Belvedere luxury vodka; Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch whisky and premium Guatemalan rum, Ron Zacapa Centenario XO.
This is getting insane. For years Emirates has served Hennessy Paradis cognac in first class, which is the most expensive bottle of liquor served on any airline in the world. A bottle of Hennessy Paradis retails for about $900.
But now for a “limited period on select routes” (I’m working on finding out exactly what those routes are), they’re serving Hennessy Paradis Imperial, which retails for about $3,000 per bottle, assuming you can even get your hands on it.
That’s right — EMIRATES WILL BE SERVING A $3,000 BOTTLE OF COGNAC IN FIRST CLASS! Pure craziness! Unfortunately I don’t even really like cognac, but there’s a certain price point at which I’m just drinking on principle, and this certainly qualifies. I’m hoping one of my four upcoming flights in Emirates first class has this.
This isn’t the only exceptional drink Emirates is serving in first class, though. For a limited time, Emirates has upgraded their first class champagne, to Dom Perignon 2000 P2.
Don’t worry, there’s also good news for those in business class and economy, as we’re seeing improved spirits there as well:
In Business Class and at the iconic Emirates A380 Onboard Lounge, customers can enjoy Glenfiddich Solera Reserve 15 year old single malt Scotch whisky, small batch premium bourbon Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select, craft gin Sipsmith, and more.
Other spirits available in Economy Class include Dewar’s White Label Scotch whisky, Beefeater gin, Russian Standard Original vodka, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey and Bacardi Carta Blanca rum – the world’s most awarded rum.
Emirates has also refreshed their cocktail menu by adding the Negroni, Old Fashioned, and Aperol Spritz.
Every time that I think Emirates can’t be more over-the-top, they prove me wrong…
I’ve tried both as my ex was a cognac guy. Back then, the regular Paradis retailed for £245. We then tried the Paradis Imperial - and we both agreed the regular was better. It boils down to personal taste - i, for instance, am not a big fan of red Bordeaux. To me, it comes across as brand over substance, but if Emirates want to blow their cash be my guest.
I have 5 upcoming Emirates flights in the next few months and checked online and can see the new cocktails loaded into their menus on my flights but no mention of the Paradis Imperial, just the regular Paradis
Tbh, the worse cocktails I've ever had on a plane is on Emirates, and that's just mojito, which is fairly simple to make. I know that things on the plane are gernally of a lower standard then on the ground especially food and drinks. However, it will be nice to see someone put in more effort in making the cocktail, such as adding enough ice, mint and also lemon, also serving it when it is chilled, because a warm mojito or any cocktails is kinda disgusting.
@ Kevin
P2 is not made exclusively for EK as I currently have some in my cellar
Love Emirates. Etihad constantly cut, you have to book a spa treatment a month in advance in BA F ........but you drink $3k of liquor on the way to Dubai , no wonder they can’t afford to retro fit the new F suites
Jesus, calm your tits you alcoholic schmuck.
Spirits are saved and put back into the sealed (duty-free bonded) liquor cabinet. They definitely save wines on turnarounds where no catering is offloaded or boarded, and I think they save the partial wine bottles of reds at outstations as well in a sealed cabinet.
I wonder if you can find one of those inexpensive 1st class flights originating in some 3rd world place. Then drink a whole bottle of the $3,000 cognac and you my pay less for flight than the cognac you drank...hahahah
Negroni is hands down the BEST aperitif out there - a perfect concoction of sweet and bitter with the aromas of gin. Very glad to see the drink having an international revival - it never went out of fashion in Italy for a reason :)
Just came into IAD from DXB in First on EK and the P2 was fantastic. Flight attendant told me that it is exclusively made for Emirates and showed me the back of the bottle.
Snic "As if anyone can actually taste the difference between Paradis and Paradis Imperial in the thin,..." As if you have any clue what you're talking about other than parroting what you've read on the various blogs.
They weren't serving P2 on the A380 flights to BKK and MRU, but I've had it on flights to ZAG and elsewhere in Europe on 777-200. They also have a phenomenal red Bordeaux vintage 1985.
Flight attendants told me they have to pour the Champagne out at the end of the flight, while the other wine and spirits are saved and go to lounges. Last time I just had half of a glass and I was alone in F... So a full bottle of P2 went down the drain [:facepalm:]
My current fave is ANA F's Hibiki 21, but that's probably just because I'm a whiskey drinker.
Yes the rollout has begun. Had a Negroni with Sipsmith gin on EK419 between Sydney and Bangkok 2 days ago at the bar on the A380. They said it was just new, and seemed quite proud of the addition. didn’t see the Paradis - just the XO - w
Hi honey I found more than enjoyable.
Well, so much for staying hydrated and sober on my flights later this year....
Yes, I'll have the P2, the Dalmore, the Jonnie Walker, The Glenfiddich, the Woodford, and 5 Liters of sparkling water - good Lord!
@Cedric -- I am so with you. A nice Manhattan with a real maraschino cherry -- like Luxardo -- a good bourbon or rye, bitters, and sweet vermouth. Heaven. To me the real cherry (not the neon red crap) and the bitters are the key.
I am now going to have to leave work early to go have one!
Jack Daniels is "upgraded"? What was it before?
Boo. Those scotches are only around $250/bottle. Where's my $3,000 bottle of whisky?!
Lagavulin 37 year old perhaps?
I have the same question as @snic. I had the same experience in KE F where the attendant opened a new bottle of Johnny Walker Blue and I only had 2-3 glasses. I wonder what happened to the rest. Surely they don't throw it away after the flight. I'd be interested in an article about something like this.
Almost makes you wish they provided a discount for those who don't drink alcohol.
@snic
why don't you just ask to have the rest as a take away, LOL..be reminded if you are transferring to drink it up before TSA..otherwise they will going to have a great time..LOL!
@alan
Priorities! Priorities! Priorities! It helps you sleep better on board, it helps you forget bad food or crew on board, it helps you forget your nasty seat neighbour...LOL!
And here we all thought Emirates had money problems...looks like we need to quit reading the posts about cutting routes and amenities...
By the way, what happens to unfinished bottles of cognac, whiskey, etc at the end of the flight? The few times I've flown in fancy F (in this case, LH), the flight attended opened an entire bottle of a spirit for me, I had one little glass, and I was the only one drinking it.
I didn't see any partially-filled bottles, suggesting that each flight is stocked only with full bottles.
Does the rest get poured down the drain? Such a shame. And incredibly wasteful.
Wow, it's better than ever for drinkers in the air (in first class, that is). Krug 2004 on SQ and CX, Cristal on JL (though arguably that is a downgrade from the Salon), Philiponnat Clos des Goisses on AA, Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires on LH, and Dom P2 on EK! Plus whatever AF is serving at the moment, which is sure to be amazing, whether it's Krug, Cristal, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, or Bollinger La Grande Année!
This is smart marketing for both Emirates and Moet-Hennessy. Moet get access to potential new high net worth customers and Emirates gets tons of free publicity (halo effect).
I doubt EK are paying anything extra for these limited edition bottles. It will all be thrown in with the overall contract. As you say they have one of the largest booze budgets in the world
https://youtu.be/ZQ2lDbZmbVQ
I guess if it's priced high enough... ;-)
I really wish more airlines offered cocktails. A good Manhattan would be awesome.
This is mostly hype and a way for Hennessy to market their products to potential buyers. I've had the Paradis Imperial and it isn't that great. Many nicer small producer cognacs and Armagnacs.
What? No Sullivan’s Cove, 1959 Dom, Pappy Van Winkle or small batch Japanese whisky? The audacity!
just intriguing and gladly antcipate what is in the F bar during my next flight..
So silly. As if anyone can actually taste the difference between Paradis and Paradis Imperial in the thin, dry air at 40,000 feet. Much less the difference between Paradis and regular Hennesy. Or the difference between Dom and a champagne that costs a tenth as much.
But I guess Emirates is not really going after the serious connoisseur market, but rather the people-who-need-to-show-off-their-wealth market.
They are not “upgrading,” they have “upgraded.” Had the P2 last week and this week LAX DXB. Tried the Dalmore Scotch....amazing. Didn’t try the imperial cause i too don’t like cognac. Upgraded spirits were not available DXB CPT.
... ‘I don’t even really like cognac, but there’s a certain price point at which I’m just drinking on principle, and this certainly qualifies‘....
I can't stop laughing. Thank you for that; our fav 1St class drunkie.
Interesting Lucky! I just booked a crazy award ticket, Seattle to Sydney via Dubai (!) All in Emirates first class! Yes, that's two ultra long hauls with a 7 hour connection in Dubai. All with 192k Qantas points, after I found some award availability mid May, only 1 month in advance. My first first class experience, hopefully the new booze will be available!
Emirates spends more money on one flight than United Polaris annual catering budget
Overpriced guff in a fancy bottle. Wake me up when they start serving a moderately priced Bas Armagnac, much more depth of flavour.
My guess is Emirates doesn't pay much more if any for these special editions of Paradis and Dom than they I do for the regular versions. Moet Hennessy is getting a lot of publicity out of people writing about this and it is an opportunity for rich people on these flights to try it and possibly buy it.
And they serve Dewar´s White Label in ECONOMY, which American Airlines offers in FIRST!
If you don't like cognac, why would you order this on a plane? No matter how expensive it is, it's not gonna make you like cognac...
I'm more excited about the Dalmore hahah
I don't think this is crazy at all. One can get a glass of the Paradis Imperial at renowned restaurants for USD200 when dining (if alone) for around 500 USD. Consider the much more exorbitant costs and profits for the first class experience.
I'd rather have cognac than whisky, but I cannot say I have ever tasted anything nearly that expensive. For that price, it's probably something out if this world.