This past weekend, W Seattle set the tone for bourbon season with The Ambrosia Sessions: The Crimson Barrel, the first in a four-part series celebrating the hotel’s own custom bourbon, Ambrosia. Hand selected by the staff at Angel Envy’s distillery in Louisville, its name is inspired by the decadence of the Greek gods. All of this made for a great night of cocktails, a guided tasting, and a crowd that clearly knew its way around a good pour.

Things kicked off in the downstairs lobby, where we were greeted with a welcome cocktail featuring Ambrosia. Several stations were set up throughout as bartenders poured cocktails that highlighted the star of the evening, showing off its profile in time-honored, classic drinks. Alongside each cocktail came a delicious, thoughtfully paired bite.

In between the sips and bites, you could stop by a couple of pop-ups and make your own candle with Noir Lux Candle Bar or check out the exclusive merch from Hardmill. After some mingling, we made our way to the 24th floor, transformed for the night into the Ambrosia Speakeasy. With city views, sweet and savory bites, and relaxed tasting stations, the space was a perfect backdrop to explore the bourbon. 

The Speakeasy

Led by Angel’s Envy Ambassador Ashley Erwin, the tasting began with Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in Ruby Port wine barrels. Smooth and maybe a lil’ too  easy to sip, the bourbon carried ripe cherry notes and had enough depth to keep things interesting. This would work well on its own or in a cocktail. The tasting was off to a very solid start.

Next came their latest signature line expression, the Angel’s Envy Triple Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a 92-proof bourbon finished in Hungarian, French, and Chinquapin oak. Leather, pepper, and cola spice popped in the glass. Add a drop of water to open up the flavors, and Erwin pointed out, “All of a sudden, you got cherry cola.”  We agree!

The Angel’s Envy Rye finished in Caribbean rum casks followed. A 100-proof rye aged in Caribbean rum barrels, this beauty came through sweet and tropical, offering up hints of vanilla, mango, and maple syrup. Or in the words of Erwin, “it’s baking spices, it’s flapjacks, it’s maple syrup.” 

Of course, the Cask Strength Bottled-in-Bond was on the night’s tasting mat. This high-proof bourbon (124.8 proof), was full-bodied with plenty of richness and depth. A much sought-after classic for a reason.

The tasting concluded with Cask Strength Rye from the Angel’s Envy Cellar Collection. Finished in French oak barrels that once held Patron tequila, it delivered stone fruit, apricot, and red pepper.

As Erwin put it, bourbon is “America’s pastoral love language, more Americana than apple pie.” 

She’s not wrong. Between the cocktails, snacks, exclusive tasting, and the W Hotel vibe it was a strong debut for The Ambrosia Sessions. If you love a good bourbon story to match the killer bourbon in your glass, future sessions at the W should be on your calendar.