Upon entering the WoW tasting experience, you could feel the mellow vibes. A farmer’s market for whisky is the best way I could describe this unique event. Guests made their way from station to station, tasting and enjoying the company of those around them. They carried on in conversation with vendors about the whiskyer things in life.
Sara, import manager for Douglas Laing’s in the U.S. was amongst many vendors happy to share the experience with fellow whisky lovers. “Tonight’s event WoW is fantastic. We’re having a great time, definitely getting scotch introduced to a lot of urban customers, so that’s a positive for us. We are very versatile because we do a little of everything. I’m happy to be apart of it,” she says.
Photo of Douglas Laing’s Brand
Whisky is becoming more universal in appreciation as well as in the location of its conception. According to Dyal, TWTE allows patrons the ability to travel around the world through whisky. But the experience goes beyond that. Guests are able to experience cognacs, rums, tequila, mezcal, gin, champagne and cocktails as well as high quality cigars. Cocktail mixologist Marteen was one of the many vendors passionate about bringing out some of those foreign international flavors in their drinks.
“I’m really excited to be here. It’s a great crowd. Everyone’s dressed in white today in celebration. They seem to really be enjoying the cocktails we’re making. We’re making rosemary lemonade with gin mare from Spain. It’s like a Mediterranean style gin. We also have some rum cocktails using Diplomatico rum from Venezuela. We have some dark rum cocktails, so hopefully they’re keeping people animated during this party. Gin mare is from south of Spain, a little bit south from Barcelona. It’s really unique in flavor. It’s actually distilled Spanish olives, basil, rosemary and thyme as the main flavors. It’s an ultra premium style gin you want to pair with your favorite occasion. It captures that Mediterranean lifestyle you would love to experience when you go to Greece, Italy, or Spain,” says Marteen. “Diplomatico rum is a really amazing rum in its own right. All the sugarcane is harvested within 200 kilometers of the distillery. Diplomatico has three different stills that we make our rum on and we actually age our rum in three different types of barrels. Some rums are made in bourbon, virgin oak, and cherry cast barrels. We have rums that are made in different types of wood to create different textures. The beauty of rum is that you get different blend combinations to build all this flavor.”
Photo of Diplomatico Rum
Dyal fell in love with whisky during “the heat” of a summer carnival in Trinidad in 1993. Johnnie Walker Black mixed with fresh coconut water was his go-to drink. “Sipping on this mixture would take me back to that time and place, which was filled with amazing memories,” says Dyal. He realized that his nostalgia about whisky was greater than just being fond of the taste. An interest in how whisky is made, the time spent in cask, and the cask used were things that Dyal found intriguing. It wasn’t until WoW launched that they introduced their very own line of glassware.
“VESL was created during my whisky journey as I recognized a gap in quality, unique whisky glasses available in the U.S. Wanting to change that, I sourced a manufacturer in Europe who specialized in mouth-blown, lead-free crystal glasses.” He said. “THE PROFESSIONAL was born as my initial product and is sought out by enthusiast and aficionados alike. This design of this vessel elevates the tasting experience, and I’m pleased that this 5-star-rated glass is enjoyed not only for whisky but any quality spirit.”
The vessels can be purchased on the website.
Amongst the vendors was the singular cigar booth, Noble. “We’re very excited to be here, actually the only cigar booth here. I think it’s amazing. We are the Noble cigars. We have quite the collection. Act no. 1 and Act no. 2. They’re both Dominican-binded cigars. Act no. 1 you might find it with more creaminess and mild. Act 2, you will find more full body, but they’re both a little strong. Cigars and whisky go hand in hand. It’s something for you to enjoy. Especially if you like to enjoy, sit down and relax, I think it’s just the perfect pair,” says Liz of Noble Cigars.
The WoW experience was filled with a variety of music including a talented cello musician. There were salty appetizers that complimented the fine drink selections including delicious coconut shrimp. It was almost difficult to believe that the WoW experience is brand new to New York. So why now? Well, Dyal views New Yorkers as charismatic, adventurous, and believes they think outside the box.
“TWTE aligns to what NYers would appreciate. The event also allows for transformation throughout the evening. Beginning with a string ensemble and ending with an included 2-hour after-experience to include a DJ.” He says. “Wearing white is encouraged. There is also entertainment sprinkled in. All this while sipping on some outrageous spirits. Some valued at $1000 USD. The takeaway will be…WoW! Patrons will be able to say the event was really next level and that they have never experienced anything like this in the past and will look forward to 2024.”
So what are you waiting for? Visit Wonders of Whisky to book your experience.
