"The Spirited Travelers" – Debra C. Argen and Edward F. Nesta attended Whisky Live, "New York’s Finest Whisky Experience," at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers in New York for an enlightening evening of exquisite tastings and educational seminars for trade as well as consumers.
Whisky Live 2013 "New York’s Finest Whisky Experience" presented its annual evening of whisky tastings at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, at 23rd Street on the Hudson River bringing together a delectable ensemble of international and American whiskies. Well represented with whisky and whiskey products from Canada, France, Ireland, Japan, Scotland, Sweden, and the United States, it was an evening of sharing and comparing style notes with old friends and meeting new ones.
In addition to the wide range of tasting opportunities of over 300 spirits to sample, there were four interesting educational masterclasses. Taking a masterclass allowed us to broaden our spirits knowledge, as well as partake of rare and cask strength tastings offered only during the seminar.
Edward and Brand Ambassador Craig Bridger
We attended The Glenlivet Masterclass with Brand Ambassador Craig Bridger that took us on a sampling journey that covered the history of the brand and the depth of The Glenlivet, "The Single Malt that Started it All," which was the first Scotch allowed into the United States after Prohibition. The name comes from the Scots Gaelic words, "glen" which means "valley" and "livet" which means smooth flowing one, describing both the area in which it is made, and the water used in the production of making the product.
Over the course of the masterclass we tasted 12 year, 15 year, 16 year Nadurra, 18 year, 21 year, and 25 year old products, and with price ranges from approximately $35 to $400, it was an excellent opportunity to get to know the nuances of The Glenlivet brand.
Masterclass Tasting Flight
What we especially appreciate about attending spirits industry events such as Whisky Live is the ability to learn about new products, re-discover old ones, and have the opportunity to taste rare products not often readily available. From larger established brands, to smaller, artisanal up-and-coming brands, it is always wonderful to be able to experience and learn about the diverse selection of products directly from the master distillers, family members, and brand ambassadors.
Meeting Old Friends and Making New Ones
Although well acquainted with Midleton Irish Whiskey from time spent in Ireland, we made a very tasty "discovery" indulging in a tasting of the Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy Irish Whiskey, an exceptional product with an equally exceptional, but worthy, price tag of around $400 bottle.
Debra with Midleton repsentative and
Midleton Barry Crokett Legacy irish Whiskey
Tom Bulleit of Bulleit Distilling Company in Kentucky, the brand that bears his family name, regaled participants with a few stories to accompany tastings of Bulleit 10, Bulleit 90, and Bulleit Rye.
Edward and Tom Bulleit
The Brandy Library in New York City, spirits aficionados’ favorite "library" brought a few of their vast collection of exquisite tastings including: Brandy Library 1792 private cask Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Brandy Library Armagnac XO private label, Brandy Library Cognac VSOP private label, Brandy Library Double Barreled private label Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and Brandy Library Elijah Craig 18 years private cask Kentucky Straight Bourbon. In addition to tempting the palate, "librarians" were on hand to educate participants about the many interesting and educational upcoming tastings and programs at the lounge.
Edward, Flavian, of The Brandy Library, and Debra
Brown spirits aficionados had the opportunity to not only taste scotch, whisky, whiskey, rye, and bourbon, but also aged armagnac, cognac, liqueurs, and rums as well. Ben Jones, a descendant of Homère Clément, presented a full complement of his outstanding aged rhum agricoles from Martinique which we enjoyed tasting, that included Rhum Clément XO, Rhum Clément Cuvée Homère, Rhum Clément Rhum Vieux Agricole V.S.O.P. Rum, Rhum J.M. Vieux, and Clement Creole Shrubb Liqueur d’Orange to name but a few.
Ben Jones, Debra, and David Ransom
Whisky Live provided the opportunity to travel the world via international tastings without need for a passport, and with the tasty buffet to complement the tastings, and live music; it was a delightful and informative evening. Slàinte mhah (pronounced slanj-ja vah), which means, "to your good health" in Gaelic.
Jeff Connell and Edward
Launched in 2000 in London and Tokyo, Whisky Live now holds events in more than 20 cities in Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Cyprus, England, France, Holland, India, Ireland, Japan, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, and the United States.
For information on attending or exhibiting at any upcoming Whisky Live event, please visit the website: www.whiskylive.com.
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Whisky Live
King Street House
15 Upper King Street
Norwich. NR3 1RB
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44-(0)-1603-633808
Fax: +44-(0)-1603-632808
Email: info@whiskylive.com
Website: www.whiskylive.com
© June 2013. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com/ All rights reserved.
