With a heavy-pour of excitement, AC Hotel Asheville Downtown’s Capella on 9 announces the arrival of the rooftop bar and restaurant’s exclusive Marker’s Mark Private Select Barrel—which has never been done before in Asheville. Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 7, for a limited time only, locals and travelers from near-and-far can belly up to Capella on 9’s bar for a glass of the acclaimed whisky, served neat, “on the rocks” or mixed in an Old Fashioned made by one of the bar’s talented mixologists.
Earlier this year, veteran Capella on 9 bartenders Colin Dennis, Megan King and Food and Beverage Director Brandon Maynard made the trek to Loretto, Kentucky, to try their hand at creating Capella on 9’s very own private select whisky (spoiler: they nailed it!). The team’s mission was to design a spirit specifically for the purpose of mixing the best—and most exclusive—Old Fashioned in the city.
“We entered the tasting room, decked out with formal flight settings and chemistry equipment; and, to top it off, on the other side of the glass walls there were tourists coming in and snapping pictures of us as the guide explained to them what we were doing. Our nerves got a bit shaky, but then the whisky started flowing and we forgot all about that,” laughs Dennis.
After five attempts at conquering the task, the Capella on 9 team decided that number four was the winner. The blend—appropriately named Ole #4 as a nod to the fourth attempt it took to perfect the taste—contains a base of French Cuvée and mocha staves, and paired fantastically after mixing the concoction with simple Old Fashioned ingredients.
“Consumed neat, it was exceptional; but, after Colin mixed up some Old Fashioned cocktails for us, it was a whole new ball game,” says Maynard of Ole #4.
This year, the flavor profile of the private select barrel is geared towards an Old Fashioned cocktail; although, the approach will change year after year to focus on food pairings, neat pours and “on-the-rocks” style. The concept generates excitement for Capella on 9 staff and they already have their wheels spinning for future Maker’s Mark whisky creations.
“Creating this private select barrel was a really wonderful experience—an experience that very few bartenders are able to experience in the duration of their career,” says King.
Lucky for travelers, locals and whisky aficionados, Ole #4 will be available for tasting beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 7. To get a taste of the pure genius from the beverage team, order the Ole #4 Old Fashioned; the blend is smooth on the front with a classic Kentucky burn on the back. Though guests are encouraged to enjoy the whisky any way they choose, this 2019 vintage has been specifically created to be enjoyed in this one-of-a-kind cocktail. Cheers!
About Capella on 9
Capella on 9 stands apart from the rest of the city’s impressive roster of restaurants thanks to its seamless combination of locally-curated dishes, handcrafted cocktails and stunning mountain views from nine stories above Asheville. Located in the heart of downtown, Capella on 9 sits as one of the most picturesque spots in Asheville to watch the sunset, dine and sip. Reservations are available by phone at (828) 258-2522. Visit Capellaon9.com for more information and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
About AC Hotels by Marriott®
AC Hotels by Marriott®, a lifestyle brand that celebrates a new way to hotel complemented by a European soul and Spanish roots, boasts more than 125 design-led hotels in 15 countries and territories. Design-driven AC Hotels by Marriott® edit away the unnecessary to remove friction, providing thoughtfully designed moments of beauty, allowing guests to focus on what’s important to them. The properties modern design for modern business include buzzing AC Lounges, the perfect place for locals or visitors to get work done in style or to enjoy handcrafted cocktails and tapas. High-design guest rooms and public spaces with sleek furnishings and intuitive technology features such as the Media Salons and AC Libraries inspire and connect. For more information, visit ac-hotels.com. For more information, visit http://achotels.marriott.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
In 1954, in Loretto, Kentucky, Bill Samuels, Sr. fulfilled his dream to create a handmade and delicious bourbon. He decided to make his whisky in small batches, using soft red winter wheat, with a proprietary barrel char to enhance the softness and sweetness. He then rotated each barrel by hand for consistency, and finally, aged each barrel to taste. Bill Samuels, Sr. transformed bourbon from a “commodity” into a premium handmade spirit, and today Maker’s Mark® continues to make its bourbon exactly the same way. In recent years, Maker’s Mark has introduced thoughtful, super-premium innovations to its portfolio including Maker’s Mark 46®, Maker’s Mark® Cask Strength and Maker’s Mark Private Select™, the brand’s first-ever custom barrel program.
In 1980, the Maker’s Mark distillery became the first distillery in America to be designated a National Historic Landmark and has also been decreed as the “world’s oldest operating bourbon whisky distillery” by Guinness World Records. It remains one of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. For more information, please visit www.makersmark.com.
WE MAKE OUR BOURBON CAREFULLY. PLEASE ENJOY IT THAT WAY. Maker’s Mark®, Maker’s Mark® Cask Strength and Maker’s Mark 46® Bourbon Whisky, 45-57% Alc./Vol. ©2019 Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc., Loretto, KY. All trademarks are the property of their respective owner.
