Fight Cancer With Whisky Fundraiser

Interview With Matthew Lurin, Host of NYC’s Water Of Life Event

By Kurt Maitland

Matt Lurin
(Credit: Kurt Maitland)

Fans of our favorite spirit know that whiskey can do many amazing things. Matthew J Lurin, MD MBA FACEP CPE, hopes that it can also help in the fight against cancer. Matt is hosting the first annual whisky fundraiser, The Water of Life.

This event is to fund the fight against GIST (Gastrointestinal stromal tumors), which is a group of cancers called soft tissue sarcomas. Sarcomas are a rare type of cancer that can occur in connective tissues, bones, muscles, fat, nerves, blood vessels, and cartilage. Dr. Lurin is a whisky aficionado whose stepfather is a GIST patient and this May 6^th fundraiser is to raise money for a cure. I sat down with Dr. Lurin to learn more about this event.

KM: Tell us a bit about yourself and your love of whisky.

ML: I am a New Yorker since birth, having been born on Manhattan and lived here pretty much since that time. I practice Emergency Medicine, and try to enjoy a fun life here when not working. I’ve loved whisky for several years now. My friends and I enjoy it as we find it both a social and cerebral drink. It’s great to sit and relax with while sharing stories, and for simply enjoying the moment. It pairs well with most foods, cigars, and does quite well on its own. Oh, and when my mom wanted me to find something in common with my Scottish step father, Scotch whisky seemed the perfect medium. After several years of collecting, and attending events I’ve made wonderful friends in the industry, and am pleased it’s my drink of choice.

KM: What inspired you to create this event?

ML: Amongst my friends I’ve always had a reputation for throwing great parties, and have often been asked about organizing a big whisky event. Over the past few years and after attending several whisky shows I thought it would be great to try to put together a new one. And although NYC has several great whisky events throughout the year I wanted to add a unique one to the mix. Also, I thought it important that all the funds go to charity, and selected one I felt would benefit greatly from the exposure and funds raised.

KM: Can you tell us more about the event and why you think it will appeal to whiskey fans?

ML: I wanted to create an event where ‘everyone wins’. What I mean is that the guests would love it, that the participating brands, stores and bars would love it, that it would help a charity with funds and awareness, and that it would grow into one of the premier annual whisky ‘can’t miss it’ type of evenings.

At most shows the best part are the master classes. It’s a chance to sit in a relaxed setting, with an ambassador, and learn about several different drams. I thought, “why not create a night of masterclasses?” The speed dating theme adds an interesting twist. Every 15 minutes, for a four hour period, guests go from class to class, enjoying a few whiskies and making a few friends along the way. I also wanted each table to pair their whiskies with a food of choice, so whether it’s cheese or chocolates it will be fun to bring out some of the nuances in each dram. Also, not many of us can go four hours straight, so there will be built in dinner and dessert breaks. As well as passed hors d’oeuvres. Cigars pair well with whisky, and there will be cigar hours on our 2 large terraces to spend an extended period with one brand and a stogie. It will give guests a chance to run through a brands line up in more detail, and should be a great part of a special evening.

At some of the more crowded shows people are constantly pushing or shoving to get that next dram, and many conversations interrupted by a glass waving to the words “What’s your oldest or most expensive?” This event will be unique in that you won’t have to fight your way to your next drink, and conversations can flow without worry.

It was important to make this event desirable to whisky experts, whisky nerds, whisky novices, and even those who are simply curious about this wonderful elixir. There will be a few drams you’ve not had, a few you know and love, and a chance to learn more about drams you enjoy or may not have had for a bit. But no matter your level of experience there will likely be several whisky love connections. Just like speed dating!

And best of all, whisky, the Water of Life itself, will help raise funds to help cure cancer.

KM: What do you hope will come from a successful first event?

ML: We hope to lay the groundwork for future events. There will likely be unexpected bumps and bruises along the way in our first year, but the hope is to grow the Water of Life into New York’s premier whisky tasting event, and of course raise funds to cure GIST. Based on early feedback, we are well on our way.

KM: As a big whiskey lover and collector, can you give our readers some bottles or releases that you are looking forward to?

ML: The easy answer is the Feis Ile bottles I [picked] up on Islay and Jura [last] month. However, what I love about the industry are the expected great bottles, as well as the unexpected surprises. I’ve recently had a new peated Glenmorangie and a peated Bunnahabhain which were amazing. Laphroaig and Ardbeg turn 200 this year, Kilchoman turns 10, Hedonism turns 15 and all will have some great limited release bottlings. Highland Park completed the Valhalla series, and I look forward to Odin. Bacardi is reintroducing some old favorites and as always great blends. At a time when NAS is all the rage, Balblair is releasing new amazing vintages. David Stewart is working magic in his Tun, and the quality of the whiskies from independent bottles such as SMWS (Scotch Malt Whisky Society), SCN (Single Cask Nation), Blackadder, and Gordon & Macphail has never been better. Conveniently many of the aforementioned drams will be poured or represented at Water of Life. So for now, more than bottles, I am looking forward to enjoying drams in my glass.

For those readers that are interested in learning more about the event, you can visit the website . Matt has included a code for the readers that would like to make the event (RAFT1550 for $50 off). Keep in mind it is a charity event, so it should be tax deductible.