DUBLIN, Ireland: A Belfast hotel is offering whiskey lovers an exclusive experience with a 1,000-pound (1,200-euro) cocktail, calling it a "once-in-a-lifetime" indulgence.

The Merchant Hotel, known for its opulent hospitality, has unveiled a new cocktail menu featuring a selection of rare and highly sought-after whiskeys. The most expensive drink on the list, the Midleton Foret de Troncais, is described as "a masterpiece of Irish whiskey," aged in rare French Troncais oak casks, delivering "elegant notes of honey, toasted almonds, and delicate spice." The cocktail is served with Antica Formula and Dubonnet.

The Merchant Hotel made headlines in 2007 when it secured a Guinness World Record for the most expensive cocktail at the time, a 750-pound Mai Tai. That title was later surpassed in 2013 by an 8,583-pound cocktail sold in Melbourne, Australia.

The hotel's new menu, launched on Wednesday, features a collection of high-end whiskey cocktails crafted with spirits from Midleton, Macallan, and Michter's, starting at 785 pounds. More affordable options begin at 14.99 pounds, catering to a broader range of guests.

"We are proud to bring our unique collaboration with three icons of whiskey to life with The Rare & Refined Collection," said Aaron Dugan, general manager of The Merchant Bar.

"These exceptional drinks have been crafted to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences to be savored. The lucky few who get to try these drinks will get to relish something truly special. And for those that find the price tag too rich, we have also created an exceptional collection of 21 cocktails, inspired by timeless classics, but with a unique Merchant twist."

The Merchant Bar has earned a reputation as one of the most highly regarded cocktail destinations in the UK and Ireland. It is also the first and only bar in Northern Ireland to be awarded the prestigious 2 Pin status by the Pinnacle Guide, an accolade it will officially receive later this month.