Taj prepares premium liquor cabinet for Obama

Mumbai: Although US President Barack Obama will be only served food made by his personal chef, the management at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel hope they can at least welcome Obama with an exclusive drink.

To that end, the hotel has prepared a list of high-end liquor that will be served to the President, including the rare Glenfiddich scotch whisky.

A hotel source revealed, "The hotel has arranged for the best available liquor for Obama and wife Michelle.
 
These drinks are kept only for our special guests. We are hoping that the President will have a drink with us when he is here."

The highlight at the President's bar will be the Glenfiddich 40-Year-Old Rare Collection scotch.

The Rs 5 lakh scotch is one of world's finest single malts and the hotel has one of only 600 limited edition bottles available.
 
"This is one of the finest whiskies and has been specially kept for the President," said the source.

Beside this, other high-end drinks costing lakhs of rupees have also been kept as options.

They include the Louis XIII cognac and Balvenie rare, among others (see box). A fine selection of wine topped off by the Dom Perignon Rose will be served to Michelle on request.

A hotel source revealed that six huge food containers for the President reached Taj a few days ago.

"He will be eating food prepared only by his personal chef. Huge containers have already been placed in deep freezers inside the hotel," said the source.

Meanwhile, the entire fleet of visiting dignitaries will be placed in the old tower wing that re-opened in August, after it was damaged in the 26/11 terror attacks.
 
"Obama will be lodged at the presidential suite which costs Rs 10 lakh per night, whereas the other suites will be given to the VVIPs accompanying him," said the source.

Here's a look at Obama's liquor cabinet:

Glenfiddich 40-Year-Old Rare Collection (from casks filled in 1963): Rs 5 lakh

A single malt scotch whisky from Scotland, Glenfiddich means 'Valley of the deer' in Gaelic, hence the presence of a deer symbol on the bottles.

Balvenie rare 30-year whiskey: Rs 1,58,000 

Balvenie rare Thirty is a rare and especially fine single malt whisky.

Dom Perignon Rose Champagne from France: Rs 50,000

Chateau Petrus wine: Rs 1,80,000

An estate of limited size, it produces a limited production red wine almost entirely from Merlot grapes, on occasion with small amounts of Cabernet Franc, and produces no second wine.

Louis XIII cognac: Rs 1,48,000

Louis XIII Black Pearl is a limited edition cognac, packaged in 786 individually numbered Baccarat dark crystal carafes.