The word whisky (or whiskey) comes from the Gaelic uisce/uisge, a shortened version of uisge beatha meaning "water of life," also known as aqua vitae in Latin. Whisky was originally used as a medicine for both internal anesthetic use and as an external antibiotic.
The Water of Life event is an annual whisky fundraiser hosted by Matthew J Lurin MD MBA FACEP CPE (co-founder of the Whisky Nerds). Dr. Lurin is a whisky aficionado whose stepfather Joe was a GIST patient. GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors) 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.
A few words from our host:
"I've been going to whisky tastings for over a decade, traveling to several countries in the process. I've always enjoyed meeting the people in the industry, including those that make, market, and appreciate this wonderful elixir. When the Whisky Nerds were founded the mission was both education about, and appreciation of, whisky. People often have questions about whisky, whether the process of making it, the effects of the barrels and age, the 'e', or other differences between regions, whether in Scotland, here in the USA, or around the world. As someone who has spent a good portion of my life in school, and understands the value of good education, I wanted to create an environment where people could learn about, as well as enjoy, a few good drams.
After attending many wonderful events, the Whisky Nerds wanted to create our own unique event to allow this to happen. And thus the "Water of Life" was born in 2015. The main event is a sit-down 'speed-dating' type of event, consisting of several tables, each one being their own mini-masterclass. Patrons will have the opportunity to taste their drams in an intimate seated setting, enjoying face time with industry insiders while learning about their spirits, without having to fight through crowds for attention. It's like having a drink with a friend, a friend with a great collection of whisky as well as knowledge, which leads to special dramming sessions and memories.
Our first event was May 6, 2015. It was well received by lovers of whisky, and our second ‘blowout of a fundraiser’ on May 12, 2016 at Midtown Loft and Terrace was even more spectacular. We nearly doubled the size of the event and added more spirits, which included a special focus on both American and World Whiskies. There was a new opening cocktail hour and toast, with special drinks mixed by some of the folks from Whisky Blasphemy, Ward III, and Women Who Whisky, to welcome everyone to the event with a special opening drink, as well as to facilitate registration in a more efficient manner. We added two unique masterclasses open for purchase to attendees prior to the launch of the event, “This is your great Grampa’s Whisky Class", where attendees were able to travel back in time and enjoy a bourbon that was distilled over 100 years ago, as well as one sold during Prohibition “For Medicinal Purposes only.” Fortunately, enough time had passed that we could enjoy it without worrying about the disclaimer that, “Sale or use for other purposes will cause heavy penalties to be inflicted.” If that wasn’t enough, we had another class, “The Blackadder Experience”, where guests were able to enjoy rare and exclusive casks and taste them as if they drew the samples themselves.
We also introduced a new tier of ticket, where a select few were able to enjoy exclusive tastings and private classes in their own Ultra-VIP suite. This was such a huge hit that in 2017 we doubled the size and added on an extra night so that our Ultra-VIPs would get the chance to enjoy several of the world’s greatest and rarest whiskies, many for the first and perhaps only time, as well as enjoy the main event of Water of Life in its entirety. We look to expand that event even more in 2018.
After the success of the popular American Whiskey Trail ticket added in 2016, we’ve decided not only to keep this option, but added a new one, the Island Getaway in 2017. Several whiskies aficionados are known for their passion for Island whiskies, and Water of Life is proud to recognize the distinctive whiskies from Jura, Mull, Orkney, Skye, and every distillery on Islay! New for 2018 we are adding Single and Loving It! This option will allow lucky guests to spend a large portion of the event enjoying single cask, cask strength whiskies.
Oh, and we are again going to be in an exciting new venue, The Platform at Pennsy, attached to the World's Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, and steps from Penn Station. This beautiful venue will offer many new and exciting opportunities for the Water of Life 2019.
And our reputation continues to grow. Whisky Aficianados across the globe have fallen for our little event, and last year Forbes Online added us to a list of the top whisky festivals in the world. When you are on a list with Feis Ile, Spirit of Speyside, the Nth, the Victoria Whisky Festival, and Whisky Show: Old and Rare Glasgow amongst a few select others, you know you must be doing something right.
And remember, it is equally important that this event also be used as a fundraiser to benefit a charity. My Stepfather Joe was from Scotland, and played a big role in my early whisky education. He was diagnosed as a GIST patient several years ago, and unfortunately lost his fight the day before our second event on May 11, 2016. This event stands as a testament to enjoying life to its fullest, and gives us all the opportunity to celebrate the wonderful gifts of life, while at the same time honoring those who have gone through, or are going through an incredibly difficult struggle. The Life Raft Group provides support to GIST patients and their families, and raises funds to support important research.
I hope you can be a part of what should again be an incredible evening and join us where friends unite, and whisky, the 'Water of Life' itself, helps us in the fight against cancer.
Slàinte Mhath!"
– Matthew J. Lurin MD MBA FACEP CPE (and Whisky Nerd)
The Water of Life event is an annual whisky fundraiser hosted by Matthew J Lurin MD MBA FACEP CPE (co-founder of the Whisky Nerds). Dr. Lurin is a whisky aficionado whose stepfather Joe was a GIST patient. GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors) 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.
A few words from our host:
"I've been going to whisky tastings for over a decade, traveling to several countries in the process. I've always enjoyed meeting the people in the industry, including those that make, market, and appreciate this wonderful elixir. When the Whisky Nerds were founded the mission was both education about, and appreciation of, whisky. People often have questions about whisky, whether the process of making it, the effects of the barrels and age, the 'e', or other differences between regions, whether in Scotland, here in the USA, or around the world. As someone who has spent a good portion of my life in school, and understands the value of good education, I wanted to create an environment where people could learn about, as well as enjoy, a few good drams.
After attending many wonderful events, the Whisky Nerds wanted to create our own unique event to allow this to happen. And thus the "Water of Life" was born in 2015. The main event is a sit-down 'speed-dating' type of event, consisting of several tables, each one being their own mini-masterclass. Patrons will have the opportunity to taste their drams in an intimate seated setting, enjoying face time with industry insiders while learning about their spirits, without having to fight through crowds for attention. It's like having a drink with a friend, a friend with a great collection of whisky as well as knowledge, which leads to special dramming sessions and memories.
Our first event was May 6, 2015. It was well received by lovers of whisky, and our second ‘blowout of a fundraiser’ on May 12, 2016 at Midtown Loft and Terrace was even more spectacular. We nearly doubled the size of the event and added more spirits, which included a special focus on both American and World Whiskies. There was a new opening cocktail hour and toast, with special drinks mixed by some of the folks from Whisky Blasphemy, Ward III, and Women Who Whisky, to welcome everyone to the event with a special opening drink, as well as to facilitate registration in a more efficient manner. We added two unique masterclasses open for purchase to attendees prior to the launch of the event, “This is your great Grampa’s Whisky Class", where attendees were able to travel back in time and enjoy a bourbon that was distilled over 100 years ago, as well as one sold during Prohibition “For Medicinal Purposes only.” Fortunately, enough time had passed that we could enjoy it without worrying about the disclaimer that, “Sale or use for other purposes will cause heavy penalties to be inflicted.” If that wasn’t enough, we had another class, “The Blackadder Experience”, where guests were able to enjoy rare and exclusive casks and taste them as if they drew the samples themselves.
We also introduced a new tier of ticket, where a select few were able to enjoy exclusive tastings and private classes in their own Ultra-VIP suite. This was such a huge hit that in 2017 we doubled the size and added on an extra night so that our Ultra-VIPs would get the chance to enjoy several of the world’s greatest and rarest whiskies, many for the first and perhaps only time, as well as enjoy the main event of Water of Life in its entirety. We look to expand that event even more in 2018.
After the success of the popular American Whiskey Trail ticket added in 2016, we’ve decided not only to keep this option, but added a new one, the Island Getaway in 2017. Several whiskies aficionados are known for their passion for Island whiskies, and Water of Life is proud to recognize the distinctive whiskies from Jura, Mull, Orkney, Skye, and every distillery on Islay! New for 2018 we are adding Single and Loving It! This option will allow lucky guests to spend a large portion of the event enjoying single cask, cask strength whiskies.
Oh, and we are again going to be in an exciting new venue, The Platform at Pennsy, attached to the World's Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, and steps from Penn Station. This beautiful venue will offer many new and exciting opportunities for the Water of Life 2019.
And our reputation continues to grow. Whisky Aficianados across the globe have fallen for our little event, and last year Forbes Online added us to a list of the top whisky festivals in the world. When you are on a list with Feis Ile, Spirit of Speyside, the Nth, the Victoria Whisky Festival, and Whisky Show: Old and Rare Glasgow amongst a few select others, you know you must be doing something right.
And remember, it is equally important that this event also be used as a fundraiser to benefit a charity. My Stepfather Joe was from Scotland, and played a big role in my early whisky education. He was diagnosed as a GIST patient several years ago, and unfortunately lost his fight the day before our second event on May 11, 2016. This event stands as a testament to enjoying life to its fullest, and gives us all the opportunity to celebrate the wonderful gifts of life, while at the same time honoring those who have gone through, or are going through an incredibly difficult struggle. The Life Raft Group provides support to GIST patients and their families, and raises funds to support important research.
I hope you can be a part of what should again be an incredible evening and join us where friends unite, and whisky, the 'Water of Life' itself, helps us in the fight against cancer.
Slàinte Mhath!"
– Matthew J. Lurin MD MBA FACEP CPE (and Whisky Nerd)