Points, Miles & Martinis is happy to bring you rail drinks from the First Class Car of the Amtrak Acela train.

Acela First Class offers a good product, especially when you weigh the alternative airline shuttle service. If you factor in the wait time for the airline security theater and pre-boarding, a rail ride is a far more efficient way to navigate the eastern corridor.

So we recently set off on a quick train ride to see how Acela First Class compared to the Delta shuttle First Class.

The most important factor, which we gave significant weight to was the bourbon selection. So we’ll start with a happy hour Acela style, and then follow it up with a full trip report on the Acela product.

Acela First Class Happy Hour

The drink selection was great. I’m a self professed Bourbon specialist with a particular focus on the best Kentucky Bourbon. The Acela came through with a great Kentucky Bourbon. Oh yeah, Knob Creek, and you know how we ordered it….on the rocks with a splash of water!

I first grabbed a seat for the happy hour in the four seat group section. Later, I’d move to the single seat, but the four seater was a great place to be for happy hour.

The attendant took my drink order within seconds of sitting down. I asked for a “Knob Creek on the rocks” with a small bottle of water. She delivered the sweet Kentucky nectar within two minutes.

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It went down smooth and a second order was placed. We had to make sure a proper selection of drinks was experienced.

Bottom Line

Happy Hour on Amtrak’s Acela train has so many options it will make your head spin. Their Bourbon, Knob Creek, is a great choice for any Bourbon drinker, pro or amateur.

We’ll share a full trip report on the Acela First Class experience soon.

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  • Evan said,

    The clear winner on this service – either paid in Business or free in First Class – is the Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. That’s a beer that is head-and-shoulders above anything I’ve ever been offered on any airline, anywhere.

  • JBG said,

    I’ll preface this that I love your blog. Read it daily. But being from KY and a lover of bourbons you must get it the way it was made to be drank: neat, splash of water. Actually a drop is better. Unless its uncut. Then a little more water. But room temp really brings out the flavor. That said, sip slowly less you finish it too fast..not always a bad thing.

  • Explore said,

    The cocktail selection is clearly ahead of any domestic air service.

  • edward8888 said,

    Thanks so much for turning me on to Knob Creek. The 3 1/2 hour ride from NYC to BOS was thoroughly enjoyable.

  • The Weekly Flyer said,

    Hi edward8888 – We started this blog to help others travel better. Thanks for the note that we helped your travel experience. Glad you liked the knob creek!

  • 500 Bonus Amtrak Points With Next Train Ride – How To Check Your Promotions - Points Miles and Martinis said,

    [...] Rail Drink – First Class Happy Hour [...]

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