The Select Brands x Moët Hennessy rooftop soirée held at One Belmont, Tuesday last, was quite the ExPPerience, pun intended!

The swanky multi-level building proved the perfect backdrop for the multi-dimensional affair that commenced on whatever floor guests parked and entered.

In a fitting nod to the iconic partnership between the local wine, spirits, and beverage distributor and the world’s leading luxury wines and spirits division of LVMH, guests were greeted with flutes of the house’s iconic Champagne, the 1869-created Moët Impérial, before being ushered into elevators by butlers.

Noted West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle, Dominican Ambassador to Jamaica Angie Shakira Martinez Tejera, business mogul Gassan Azan, recent PSOJ Hall of Fame inductee Christopher Zacca, Hennessy enthusiast and dancehall artiste Rodney “Bounty Killer” Price, and Grammy-winning artiste Sean Paul, were among the guests spirited nine floors into the Kingston skyline to applaud the deal, which was sealed on November 1, 2024.

Recollections may vary depending on your time of arrival… Still, early birds hobnobbed for about an hour — while sipping on the evening’s pours – Moët & Chandon Champagne, Hennessy Cognac, Volcan’s De Mi Tierra Blanc, and Belvedere Vodka – before the 8:40 pm-ish unveiling of the party space, complete with a Voice of God announcer detailing the history of each product. Adding to the experience were aerialists who deftly filled glasses, fire performers, and dancers from GET Productions and, naturally, well-appointed bars that spotlighted Hennessy, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot Champagnes as well as Belvedere Vodka.

As the evening progressed, Smoked Scotch Bonnet & Pimento Salt Scallops with Champagne Foam, Champagne Macarons, Brie & Truffle Honey Crostini, and Crispy Pork Belly with Hennessy glaze were just some of the delectables created for the evening by award-winning caterer Alexa von Strolley.

Guests – dressed to the nines – posed for photos, while vibing to the sounds of DJ Tonio. Talk soon turned to partnership, as representatives from Moët Hennessy, Select Brands and dancehall vet Rodney “Bounty Killer” Price took to the mic.

“This is a great surprise, I didn’t expect to be presented with a gift… but you know with Hennessy, ‘henny-thing goes,” quipped Rodney “Bounty Killer” Price, moments after accepting a gift of engraved snifters for his bottle of Hennessy XO Cognac from Moët Hennessy Business Development Manager – Jamaica Atina Samad and General Manager, Central America & Caribbean Alexandre Helaine. Price went on to detail his relationship both with the drink and the brand. “My relationship with Hennessy started in 1998, in New York… when I was recording a song called Deadly Zone [with Mobb Deep],” said Price. The deejay says he was introduced to the Cognac after seeing members of the rap group take shots in the studio. On his return to Jamaica, he held his birthday celebration, It’s A Party, which led to a years-long partnership between him and the brand.

“… Select Brands is 13 years old, and we started with an idea, and now we are here today, on top of the newest building in Kingston celebrating the most luxurious portfolio in Jamaica… thank you, Moët Hennessy for believing in Select Brands. Cheers!”, said David McConnell, managing director, Select Brands.

Cue DJ Kurt Riley taking over the ones and twos and the start of the real turn-up!

The Kerry Wedderburn décor, Creative Direction: exPPerience, Martin Lewis production, the people, the vibes, the popping Select Brands bars, all at a spanking- new space made for an epic party!