Baltimore, Maryland is home to the Star Spangled Banner, Ironman Cal Ripken, Under Armour, the best crab cakes and now, the launch of Grand Marnier's newest product, the oldest, most rare, double distilled cognac called Quintessence. The reason Baltimore was chosen from this International launch is clear- ONE-EYED MIKE's the bar that sells more Grand Marnier than ANY other single unit venue in the WORLD!

Being among the oldest taverns in Fell’s Point, ONE-EYED MIKE'S is a great, neighborhood gathering place. It lends itself to be the perfect hangout for locals and it is a tourists’ dream come true for anyone wanting to go where the people of the area love to spend their time. CITYPEEK likes to call it the "Cheers Spot of Fells Point!"

Back in May, I attended a private luncheon orchestrated in concert with Mike Maraziti's ONE-EYED MIKE'S Fells Point Tavern and Patrick Raguenaud, Master Distiller/Director of Products for Marnier, along with Moet Hennessey USA and local distributor, Reliable Churchill.

The tavern in Fells Point, Baltimore, Maryland USA was chosen to host the special luncheon in honor of the launching and official announcement unveiling what is to become one of the world's most exclusive spirit products of ALL time, QUINTESSENCE.  This new Grand Marnier product, is double distilled in French oak is loaded with special grapes from Cognac, where Mr. Raguenaud's family has rooted itself since 17th Century, It is both exclusive and expensive. Read the whole article Here.

BIG SCOOP-Read On:Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle created Grand Marnier, an orange flavored cognac liqueur, in 1880. He learned how to distill from his father who was a wine and spirit merchant.

Now Ms. Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle, president of Marnier - Lapostolle, North America and Great Grand Daughter of her family dynasty, is coming to Baltimore for the official USA Quintessence launch! The event is By Invitation Only to a select group of OEM Grand Marnier Club members will attend the special 'meet and greet' event! The date is being highly coveted (yes, I know, but....)

"Ms. Marnier-Lapostolle has requested no bells and whistles. She wants to visit the bar that sells more of her company's product than any other in the world in its "as-is" condition. Staff and friends are proud and thrilled," shares One-Eyed Mike Maraziti.

Some details:

• Quintessence cognac is double distilled in French oak, a rare process known as “double parfum”.
• It's loaded with special grapes from Cognac, France.
• 2000 bottles of quintessence will be available worldwide with a price upwards of $800.
• 1000 bottles will be available, total, in the USA.
• Cost = $1500 to purchase a bottle in the exclusive ONE-EYES MIKE'S "Quintessential Club."
  

If interested to join the ONE-EYES MIKE'S Original GRAND MARNIER CLUB:

Cost = $175 to join and sip freely

(simply tip your bar tender who will delightfully pour for you),

$85 to renew (comes with your next bottle).

You also get your own bottle in your name reserved on the shelves in perpetuity and membership into an elite group of low-key food and wine lovers.

Close to 20,000 bottles have been consumed to date at ONE EYES MIKE'S.

(Seen above, Mike Maraziti and CITYPEEK Publisher, Patti Neumann)