About NYC Whisky
From Islay to Union Square
Our story starts twice. The first time was on a rainy summer day on the Isle of Islay. Our founder Tom, a young Scot, stood in awe of the giant, glowing copper stills of a local distillery (likely Caol Ila), mesmerized by the warmth and the heavy, sweet scent of the mash.
The second time was in 2007, in Union Square, Manhattan.
Fresh off the plane from Scotland and living on a $200-a-week internship stipend, the "whisky heritage" of home felt a world away. To a 20-something Scot, whisky was mostly the thing neighbors brought over on a hungover New Year’s morning—the last thing anyone wanted to see.
That changed when he wandered into a free tasting at Union Square Wines. Between the pours of Highland Park and conversations with industry legends like Robin Robinson, he found something he didn't expect: a community. The NYC whisky scene wasn't just about expensive bottles; it was welcoming, educational, and, above all, fun.
The Correction that Built a Community
NYC Whisky was born a week later out of a simple need: Where are the other tastings? Seven days after the site launched, an email arrived from a "massive whisky nerd" named Ellie. She pointed out an event at Bowery & Vine that the site had missed.
That correction turned into a partnership. For over a decade, Ellie has been the operational heart of NYC Whisky, building deep ties with brand reps and scouting the city's best events while our founder kept the gears turning behind the scenes.
Our Mission: Whisky for the Curious New Yorker
We aren't here for the gatekeepers or the elite collectors. We are here for the curious New Yorker—the person who wants to spend a Tuesday night learning the difference between a Peated Islay and a Highland Malt without breaking the bank.
Educational
Demystifying the "water of life" one dram at a time.
Accessible
Finding the best free and affordable tastings in the five boroughs.
Community-First
Connecting people to the local shops and bars that make this city the whisky capital of the US.
The Next Chapter: The Whisky Scout
After a decade of manual scouting, we are entering a new era. We are currently developing the Whisky Scout, a custom AI agent designed to crawl every corner of the city to ensure no tasting goes unlisted.
We’re also rekindling our weekly newsletter and building data tools to track which venues and whiskies are trending across the city. Whether you're looking for the perfect gift or the best place to celebrate Burns Night, we’re building the tools to help you find it.