New for 2020, as part of an immersive enrichment program, Fred Olsen is giving passengers the opportunity to create their own bespoke gin during the cruise vacations, with guidance from expert gin-makers, Nigel and Debbie Wright.
Fred Olsen’s first Gin Masterclasses will be taking place onboard flagship Balmoral during her 70-night ‘South American Exploration’ voyage, which is scheduled to depart from Southampton UK on January 6, 2020.
Upon his retirement, with the support and encouragement of wife Debbie, Nigel Wright researched the process of gin-making and spoke to some of the new breeds of craft gin producers. Then he applied for and was granted the licences for producing gins, in Summer 2018.
The cruise line’s gin-making experience will take place in the stylish Grill Restaurant, on Lido Deck 8, for around 2 hours, including introductions and tastings. The new classes will be limited to between 6 and 8 guests and will cost GBP 25 per person, with the chance to make up to 6 gins per session, using Fred Olsen’s copper distilling equipment. Passengers will also receive a 70 cl bottle of their own hand-crafted gin to take home.
There will be more than 50 different botanicals (flavours that go to characterise a gin) for passengers to choose from, all of which have been researched by Debbie. A number of them have been selected to marry the destinations visited on the South American adventure.
Balmoral’s 70-night ‘South American Exploration’ takes in floral Madeira and the volcanic Sao Vicente island, as well as highlighting the best of Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, along with the Caribbean islands of Antigua, Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao, and Saint Kitts.