As cocktail culture slowly seeps into downtown Fort Lauderdale, Bar Stache 1920's Drinking Den will host an official grand opening celebration Saturday night that will be anything but subtle.
And to help set the appropriately sophisticated mood, Ardbeg Distillery brings its 200 years of warm whiskey history to a special tasting event during the grand opening. The "Ultimate Islay Malt Whisky" is teaming up with FAT Village organizers and renowned mixologist John Lermayer - who put together the cocktail program at Stache - to introduce the locals to the warm, smooth glory that is well-made single malt whiskey.
They've even put together some recipes especially for the occasion.
The tasting event is part of the Ardbeg Rocket Tour to commemorate a more modern accomplishment of the old world distillery. Two years ago, Ardbeg launched several vials of unaged whiskey into space with US based space research company NanoRacks LLC. They are effects of zero-gravity on aging and how microbes act in space.
"It's a very innovative brand," says Ardbeg publicist, Julia Brown. "I went to the distillery last summer. It's on this little Scottish island off the coast and the the whole town smells like smoky peat. You can actually smell it in the whiskey and you can taste that flavor."
The tasting takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. overlapping with the VIP cocktail reception for Stache's Roaring 20s Ball which takes place from 8 to 10 p.m., when the official party really kicks up its heels and does the Charleston.
Guests will enjoy exclusive sampling of Ardbeg single malt whisky, rated by The Whisky Bible as the "Best Single Malt Scotch - 10 Years and Under". There will also be plus custom crafted cocktails designed by Lermayer, including the Islay Old Fashion and Smokey Sherrey Sour.
"We're excited that [Lermayer has] created these drinks with us," says Brown. He knows the brand very well and was able to create something that played to the smokiness of the whiskey. Its an opportunity for for both beginning whiskey drinkers to be introduced to it and for those who know it well to enjoy something new."
If you can't get enough of the stuff, there will even be an Ardbeg pop-up store on site where you can purchase a bottle of your very own.
Local artist FATVillage artist Peter Symons has taken over Stache's backlot with his interactive light installation, "Into the Woods." Four live-feed cameras read the movements of the crowd and translate this into an ever-changing, abstract light display on the walls, projected through sculpted wooden screens. After the event, the installation is scheduled to be on display at the Museum of Art|Fort Lauderdale.
Stache's Grand Opening Roaring 20s Ball is from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., preceeded by a VIP cocktail reception from 8 to 10 p.m. Admission is $20 at the door, or complimentary entrance with RSVP to [email protected].
Bar Stache 1920's Drinking Den is located at 109 SW Second Ave in Fort Lauderdale. Call 786-473-5779, or visit barstache.com.
You can contact Rebecca Dittmar, Arts & Culture Editor/Food Blog Editor at [email protected].
Follow @CleanPlateBPB
