Lovers of fine spirits can indulge their passion onboard P&O Cruises’ forthcoming brand new ship Pacific Explorer after the line unveiled its latest guest activity – gin and whisky mixing classes where travellers can design their very own variety of the popular spirit.

The line has joined forces with Sydney-based distillery Archie Rose Distilling Co to create ‘The Bonded Store’, a cocktail bar featuring the brand’s entire range of spirits and the ability for guests to mix, adjust and create their own flavour to suit their individual tastes and preferences.

To be located mid-ship on Deck 7, the small bar is sure to be popular as a social venue both prior to and following dinner where guests can enjoy their favourite spirits in a funky, relaxed environment similar to Archie Rose’s primary premises in the Sydney suburb of Rosebery.

Archie Rose Distillery co-founder Will Edwards said he was thrilled to be working with P&O Cruises on this project and that a key component of making the concept work was the “attention to detail and the commitment to detail”, adding that “anyone we work with has to display the same kind of passion as we do for our product”.

Part of this commitment to detail, Edwards explained, was utilising locally made and original ingredients to make a cocktail the Archie Rose way.

“We’re all about opening up spirits production to everyone,” he added.

At this stage, P&O told Cruise Advice it had not yet determined specifically how the mixing classes would work, in terms of how often classes would run or what sort of cost would be charged to those wishing to take part, however the knowledge of an expert mixologist would be in play to guide guests through the process in crafting the perfect gin for their tastes.

The key elements to the process would involve each guest starting with an absolute bare-bones basic gin product. Using an eyedropper, guests would then draw from a predetermined selection of “botanicals” which may include juniper, lemon myrtle and other liqueurs, adding drop by drop to design their own flavours and aromas, whether that be dry or floral.