An Astor Affair: Spirits Tasting and Cocktail Making

Saturday May 10, 2014

Part of the Manhattan Cocktail Classic 2014

VIP Seminar Ticket
VIP Workshop Ticket

Pre-Access

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Exclusive VIP pre-access to our social tasting event, “A Spirits Tasting for Cocktail Making”.

VIP Seminar Ticket

Barrel Aged Cocktails

with David Perkins of High West Distillery

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Seminar

Join David Perkins of High West Distillery, recipient of Malt Advocate’s Pioneer of the Year, for a comparative course in cocktails in The Study at Astor Center. Enjoy two of High West’s barrel aged cocktails – "The 36th Vote" Barreled Manhattan and the Barreled Boulevardier – taste the bourbon and rye used in the cocktails, then roll up your sleeves and stir up your own versions for a fun comparison. Along the way David will discuss distillation, explain the effect that barrel aging has on whiskey and cocktails, and share his story about opening and operating the world’s only ski-in gastro-distillery in Park City, Utah.

  • 1.5 hours of education, including time for Q&A with David Perkins of High West Distillery
  • A welcome beverage
  • Two High West barrel aged cocktails
  • Samples of the two whiskeys from High West used in the two barrel aged cocktails
  • Ingredients and instruction to make two cocktails in class
  • A commemorative Astor Center Glencairn tasting glass
  • Light snacks and palate cleansers
  • VIP pre-access to “A Spirits Tasting for Cocktail Making”
  • A discount from Astor Wines & Spirits on all products tasted
VIP Workshop Ticket

Discoveries from the Astor Back Bar: Exclusive Spirits Tasting

with Nima Ansari, Spirits Buyer, Astor Wines and Spirits

Workshop

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Join Nima Ansari, Spirits Buyer at Astor Wines & Spirits, for an exclusive tasting flight of the spirits that represent what we at Astor are most passionate about. Single barrels, limited runs, exclusives, and vintage spirits are at the top of our list; don’t miss this chance to taste them, as you might not get another. In an intimate tasting experience in our professional tasting room, go behind the scenes to explore the producers and distilleries, learn to evaluate spirits in the glass, and discover how to add to your own rare spirit collection.

  • 1.5 hours of education, including time for Q&A with Nima Ansari, Spirits Buyer, Astor Wines & Spirits
  • A welcome beverage
  • Tasting pours of 6-8 spirits
  • A commemorative Astor Center Glencairn tasting glass
  • Light snacks and palate cleansers
  • VIP pre-access to “A Spirits Tasting for Cocktail Making”
  • A discount from Astor Wines & Spirits on all products tasted
VIP Seminar Ticket
VIP Workshop Ticket
Walkaround Ticket

A Spirits Tasting for Cocktail Making

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Walkaround Tasting

Astor Center has a short list of spirits that tempt us to reconsider our relationship with the cocktail. For this year’s Manhattan Cocktail Classic, we thought we’d take the opportunity to share these spirits and cocktails with the people who would appreciate them the most.

Join us for a casual walk-around tasting of spirits and modifiers: a curated collection of young and old, brown and clear, bitter, sweet and everything in between, with something to tempt every cocktail connoisseur. Taste, explore, discuss with our experts, and learn how an affair with something new can alter your cocktail game for good.

And if you need more inspiration, look no further. A team of mixologists from our favorite establishments will be behind the bar serving up classics and contemporary interpretations to showcase these spirits in their perfect environment: a cocktail glass.

  • Tasting pours of an assortment of spirits and liqueurs
  • An open cocktail bar with specialty drinks designed by our resident mixologist
  • The opportunity to discuss spirits and cocktails with industry professionals
  • Light snacks and palate cleansers
  • A discount from Astor Wines & Spirits on all products tasted