Azamara Cruises has partnered with Milam & Greene Whiskey for a bourbon experiment at sea called the Bourbon Quest.

As part of this, one of four bourbon barrels will join the Azamara Quest on March 26, 2026, for its 188-night 2027 World Cruise, which will visit 37 countries, the cruise line said in a statement.

The remaining three will continue aging on land in Texas, Kentucky and Florida to compare their maturation to that influenced by maritime conditions.

“Being on a ship exposed to the open air, we expect that the higher humidity levels would work to slow evaporation over the same time period in a dryer climate,” said Rikk Munroe, director of distillery operations at Milam & Greene.

“As for temperature, the fluctuations over time between higher and lower temperatures will drive the whiskey into and out of the wood resulting in more complex flavors in the finished whiskey. We are excited to see the effects the ocean climate will have on this barrel as a follow-on to our earlier maturation experiments.”

The result will be an ultra-limited, collectible bourbon, with approximately 400 units available exclusively to Azamara guests.

The final product will be revealed during the final leg of the World Cruise after the barrel has traveled to four continents and crossed the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans twice.

All the barrels are in the final stages of their six-plus-year aging journey and were originally filled in Kentucky on November 11, 2019.

Expressions from the experiment will include:

• The Seafarer – aged at sea aboard the Azamara Quest
• The Wayfarer – aged in Kentucky
• The Pathfinder – aged in Texas
• The Pioneer – aged in Florida

 

The barrel will be showcased onboard throughout the cruise in a specially designed display.

“At Azamara Cruises, we’re always looking for ways to enhance the onboard experience with something unexpected and memorable for our guests,” said Simon Blacoe, vice president of hotel operations at Azamara Cruises.

“Partnering with Milam & Greene to age a barrel at sea is a natural fit for us – it combines craftsmanship, discovery, and storytelling in a way that guests can truly follow throughout the sailing.”

In addition to the cask, Milam & Greene whiskies will be featured on Azamara cruises.

Guests will also get the opportunity to participate in onboard experiences such as whiskey tastings and culinary pairings and chef-led experiences.