THE DARKEST NIGHT: BOWMORE’S EVENING AT THE MCKITTRICK HOTEL WITH A PERFORMANCE OF “SLEEP NO MORE”

presented by Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Quote New York Magazine: “What in Hecate’s name is Sleep No More? A dance-theater horror show? A wordless, nonlinear mash-up of Macbeth and the darker psychosexual corners of Hitchcock? A six-story Jazz Age haunted house for grown-ups and anyone who’s ever entertained sick cineast-y fantasies of living inside a Kubrick movie? ‘Tis all these, and more besides: ‘a deed without a name,’ to quote an infernal authority.”

Join us for a one-night-only, whisky-focused event at the McKittrick Hotel, including a performance of “Sleep No More” – the twisted, surrealistic, critically-acclaimed interactive theatrical event that has taken New York City by storm. This evening is presented by Bowmore, Scotland’s first Islay single malt Scotch whisky, which will elevate an already intense sensory experience to entirely new levels. You’ll be welcomed with drams of the wickedly intense Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest before heading into the labyrinthine McKittrick Hotel, where you’ll be set loose to explore, experience, smell, taste, and interact with the performance at your own pace, finding your own path. Once you’ve had your time to play (or whenever you reach absolute sensory overload), you’ll head to the McKittrick’s Manderley Bar and to the hotel lobby for specialty Bowmore cocktails and a sinful punch created by the one-and-only David Wondrich to enjoy with your comrades, whilst you recount the evening’s curiosities over delectable culinary delights.

“A merry macabre chase. A voyeur’s delight. Messes with your head as thoroughly as any artificial stimulant. Spectacular!” – Ben Brantley, New York Times

The event includes an indoor promenade performance with four arrival times:

7:00PM, 7:15PM, 7:30PM, and 7:45PM

Monday, May 14th, 2012

Skylight at The McKittrick Hotel, 530 West 27th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues

Must be 21 or older – please be prepared to present a valid photo ID.

Sponsored by Bowmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky

COCKTAILS

BOWMORE’S MCKITTRICK PUNCH
By David Wondrich, 2012

(Makes 22 servings)

Peel 3 lemons
Muddle the peel with ¾ cup (6 oz) Demerara sugar
Let sit 4-6 hours
Add 1 cup (8 oz) boiling water and stir to dissolve sugar
Add ¾ cup (6 oz) fresh-squeezed, strained lemon juice

Add:

1 750-ml bottle Bowmore 15 Year Olds Darkest
1 ½ cups (12 oz) Sandeman Fine Rich Madeira
3 oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Orange Curacao
Stir well, bottle and refrigerate.

To serve, pour over large block of ice and add ½ bottle chilled water for every bottle of Punch base. Stir and grate nutmeg over the top. Ladle out in 3-oz portions.

TAXIDERMY AFTER DARK
By Fred Sarkis, Sable Kitchen and Bar, Chicago

1.5 oz Bowmore 15 Years Old Darkest
.75 oz Cynar
1 oz Grapefruit Juice
1/8 Lemon for garnish

BOWMORE’S BLACK BOWLER
By Fred Sarkis, Sable Kitchen and Bar, Chicago

1.5 oz Bowmore 15 Years Old Darkest
.75 oz Oloroso Sherry
.75 oz Honey Syrup
2 Lemon Wedges
3 Springs of Mint

NOTES

This year Bowmore, the first Islay Single Malt whisky, is launching an exciting marketing campaign Magic Happens on the ‘Darkest’ Nights to support the growth of its multi-award winning core expression, Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’.   Kicking off the campaign in the US, Bowmore will host a headline event at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic in New York City.  On Monday, May 14, Bowmore hosts The Darkest Night: Bowmore’s Evening At The McKittrick Hotel with a performance of Sleep No More.  This evening will present a performance of cult phenomenon immersive theatre Sleep No More by Punchdrunk, the pioneers of immersive theatre.  Tickets are $125.00 per person and they are still available for the 7:15pm and 7:45pm entrance (the entrances are staggered so that everyone can take full advantage of the unique experience and performance).  The McKittrick Hotel is located at 530 W 27th St btw 10th & 11th Aves, NYC.  A link to purchase tickets here: http://bit.ly/IReAOj . 

This fabulous whisky-fueled party, will feature Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest in many gustatory iterations: In addition to the evening’s interactive theatrical performance, guests will enjoy signature Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest cocktails created by Fred Sarkis from Chicago’s Sable Kitchen (Taxidermy After Dark; Bowmore’s Black Bowler) and Bar and a punch (Bowmore’s McKittrick Punch) created for the event by Mr. David Wondrich, who will be helming the punch ladle on the evening (all cocktail recipes below).  Guests will also indulge in special food pairings to complement the delicious smokiness of Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest like dark chocolates and raw oysters (we have a ritualistic oyster-eating way of enjoying bivalves and Bowmore) and more.  

Cara Laing, Brand Manager of Bowmore, comments: “We are hugely excited to be showcasing our 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’ as a core member of the Bowmore range. The spirit is truly exceptional and a firm favourite with trade and consumers alike. Our “The Darkest Night: Bowmore’s Evening at the McKittrick Hotel with a performance of Sleep No More” will be a night that those who attend will not soon forget!  From the very unique performance to our featured Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest cocktails and punch to the food we will have paired with them – this is the ideal way to showcase The Darkest.  Bowmore 15 Year Old Darkest, that is!”

Rachel Barrie, Master Blender of Morrison Bowmore Distillers, comments: “To me Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’ is the dark and alluring side of Bowmore; a rich and beguiling malt that fuses sherry and peat smoke together in perfect harmony. Seductive smokiness is balanced by rich dried fruit, treacle toffee and chocolate sweetness, with a drizzle of lime and sprinkle of sea salt to slice through the indulgence. With its wonderfully warming and velvety texture, it is perfect to warm your soul as darkness descends. Relax, sink into your chair and savour the spirit of ‘Darkest’.”

Bowmore whisky is widely acknowledged to be the most perfectly balanced in the world; the new campaign will support the trade in offering this interesting and complex (not just smoky) Islay expression to Single Malt enthusiasts as well as expand distribution. Bowmore 15 Years Old ‘Darkest’ is the outcome of 12 years maturing in American Bourbon casks, followed by a three year finish in Oloroso sherry casks, resulting in warmth, depth and a burnt sienna colour – all providing inspiration for the ‘Darkest’ Nights.