NYC’s Brandy Library And Passport To Great Spirits

Tending the impressive bar at NYC’s Brandy Library
(Credit: Kurt Maitland)

Declaring the Brandy Library as one of my favorite bars in NYC is easy, although saying it actually seems weird, since it does really appear to be a library rather than a bar, albeit one stacked with booze instead of books.  If you are a fan of bourbon and scotch (or cognac, Armagnac, and brandy), it is a must visit. Between having one of the biggest and best selections of whiskey in the city (that in and of itself is quite a feat), their staff is trained to the level of wine sommeliers in all the spirits they sell. The owner of the Brandy Library takes the customer experience very seriously (As you will see in my upcoming Q&A with him). For him and his staff it’s an adult experience that doesn’t cater to those who want to do shots and get drunk quickly. The whiskey, like your time in the bar, is something to be savored.

So with that introduction out of the way, I’d like to talk about the Brandy Library’s Passport to Great Spirits 2013 event.

If you saw some of the following spirits on a list, what would be your first thought?

Talisker 30, Springbank 1974, Ardbeg Day, Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Old, Elijah Craig 21 Year Old, Hakushu 18 Year, Karuizawa Noh Multivintage (a blend of several different 30 plus year old Karuizawa releases from the now shuttered facility) , Pierre Ferrand 1914 vintage Grande Champagne (a hundred year old cognac)……

When the email announcing the event appeared in my inbox, mine was that I had died and gone to heaven but what I was looking at was just part of the list for the “Passport to Great Spirits” event.

Passport to Great Spirits 2013
(Credit: Kurt Maitland)

Here is what the event was offering – $200 for one Passport, with each Passport granted the recipient 13 1oz pours from a selection of 40 different rare and unique spirits that had been either well loved by the staff, acquired via auction, or quietly residing in the Brandy Library’s cellar. 3 of the 13 pours had to be a cognac, brandy or other spirit but access to the rest were only limited to availability and being allowed one pour of any spirit (to better allow everyone a shot at the most popular spirits and to prevent some greedy clown from deciding to opt for 6 pours of the Pappy 23). Purchasers had the option when the Passport was being ordered to indicate what you were most interested in and reserve an ounce of particular spirits they really fancied.

For me, what I loved most about the event was simply access. Much of the list were expressions I would never run into in my travels, in my local liquor store, or even at an event such as Whisky Live or Whisky Fest. I was forced to make hard choices – only had 10 slots for whiskies so which ones would make the cut? Do you just go for what you like/love (Pappy Van Winkle/Parker’s Heritage – Promise of Hope) or do you experiment with expressions you had never tasted?

Take a look at my passport, pictured right. I imagine that you can understand why I’m looking forward to the next one.