Grand Marnier Celebrates Quintessence Launch With Baccarat in Miami
Grand Marnier pays homage to its illustrious history of Cognac with Quintessence, a scintillating new cuvée packaged in a handmade Baccarat carafe.
When it comes to making a good Cognac, Grand Marnier has you covered. Established in 1880, the French Maison has been a force within the liqueur industry in France and abroad. In its current era, the brand celebrates the launch of its latest cuvée, Quintessence, in select markets across the U.S., bringing a taste of French spirits to their friends overseas.
But what is a celebration without a bit of luxury? In partnership with Baccarat, Grand Marnier invited patrons to experience Quintessence with an immersive pop-up outside the Baccarat B Bar & Lounge in Miami's Design District. The installation engages all five senses: sound, sight, touch, smell, and, of course, taste.
Upon entry, visitors are greeted with videos and photos about the Maison's history, from its birth in the late 19th century to the current modus operandi. Moving along, there are dried orange peels and barrel oak available to literally feel one's way through the liquid's creation. Then, almost as if one were visiting the perfume counter at a department store, there's a woman with bottled essences of each of the Quintessence ingredients like green Bigaradia oranges, vanilla bourbon, tobacco leaf, cinnamon bark, and more. Finally, moving out of the pop-up and into the Baccarat Lounge, a brand ambassador invites guests to sample the Quintessence for themselves.
When asked what the Cognac tastes like to them, attendees have a number of answers. "Christmas," says one, likely due to the notes of vanilla bourbon, cinnamon, and all-spice. "Summer," says another, noting the powerful citrus taste of the Bigaradia orange peels. Like the installation, the Quintessence is a sensory experience.
The drink itself comes from some of the oldest and rarest Cognac from the Marnier-Lapostolle family reserves. However, instead of simply mixing Bigaradia oranges into the cognac, Master Blender Patrick Raguenaud found a recipe in the Grand Marnier archives that called for macerating the fruit in the Cognac before double-distilling it down to a deliciously potent spirit.
Leaving no element unpolished, each bottle of Quintessence comes in a specially crafted decanter courtesy of Maison Baccarat, an homage to the early Grand Marnier carafes—just another example of the brand's emphasis on history and legacy.
Joined Grand Marnier and Baccarat, influencers Paola Alberdi, Pritika Swarup, Christie Ferrari, Ximena Kavalekas, Polina Panopoulos, Anggie Bryan, Rachel Love, Monroe Steele, and Ria Michelle attended the launch party to experience Quintessence for themselves.
Grand Marnier Grande Cuvée Quintessence is available on Reserve Bar for $3,500.
