To celebrate its start 100 years ago on the beach at Waikiki, luxury hotel Halekulani in December launched its Legacy Collection of Spirits developed exclusively for the hotel by two prominent, family-owned brands—Delamain Cognac and Heaven Hill bourbon.
The program’s first release was a limited edition Cognac from the House of Delamain. With a heritage that dates back to 1824, Delamain exclusively produces Cognac in the X.O. (Extra-Old) range and above. The Cognac brand’s managing director Charles Brastaad went through library stocks dating back to 1917 to create a celebratory blend true to the style of Delamain and rich in the legacy of the Halekulani.
The private-label Cognac is named “Digne du Paradis,” or house befitting heaven,” as the hotel is referred to, and bears the 100th anniversary etched logo of the Halekulani. Digne du Paradis is available for a limited time at Halekulani’s Lewers Lounge and L’Aperitif at La Mer restaurant and part of a premium pairing for La Mer’s seasonal degustation menu.
Halekulani is also introducing a hand-selected barrel of bourbon from the Heaven Hill as part of the Legacy Collection. A circa 1960s bottle of Halekulani bourbon had been discovered in the archives of the Heaven Hill distillery. The vintage bottle was married to barrel #5126029 at the rickhouse in Bardstown, KY, through the Spanish tradition of solera aging and blending.
The Halekulani
The Elijah Craig bourbon is available at all hotel dining venues and served neat or in The Halekulani cocktail. The drink, which had been featured at the hotel in the 1930s, was refreshed for the current menu. It includes bourbon, pineapple, orange and lemon juices, grenadine, turbinado syrup and Angostura bitters.
The original Halekulani started in 1907 as a residential hotel with guest bungalows; in 1917 it was expanded into a vacation resort and named Halekulani. The hotel was closed in 1983 and rebuilt as the existing 453-room property. Halekulani’s other venues include House Without A Key and Orchids restaurant.
