Whiskey is taking off in America. So it’s no surprise that New York City’s annual Whisky Live expo, hosted by Whisky Magazine, was a huge hit this year.
The fair, which took place at Pier 60 on Wednesday, featured 80 different brands, distillers, and local bars, pouring more than 300 whiskey expressions. Some exhibitors had fun booths to showcase their brand. There were plenty of interesting, craft brands, as well as established whisky brands.
From a personal perspective, I tend to prefer smooth whiskies that are not too peaty. From the Scotch whiskies, I liked the Cardhu 12-Year Single Malt as it’s light and honeyed with a touch of smoke. From the Japanese distillery Suntory – it’s arguably one of the most popular tables of the evening – the three whiskies up for sampling are the Hibiki (so smooth and harmonious flavors without any smoke), Yamazaki 12-Year (a bit smokier but still smooth), and the Hakushu 12-Year (smokiness is a bit stronger but it’s balanced with pear notes). The Johnny Walker Blue Label is and was indeed a very smooth blend of scotches.
The Macallan Rare Cask was indeed a rare bottle as their brand ambassador said they have only one bottle to serve for the event and once it’s gone, it’s the end of it. The whisky is full-bodied without losing its silky texture. The flavor packs plenty of sherry-driven, dried fruits sweetness, such as raisins and apricots, enhanced by delicious currents of oak and earthy chocolate, plus a drop of vanilla.
Overall, this event is great for the whisky lovers and those who want to learn and immerse themselves to the world of whisky. There’s a good food buffet with a live band performing while you’re eating. It’s a great evening.
To view more photos of this visit, please view the photo set or the gallery below:
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