Jameson Irish Whiskey recently brought its award-winning distillery to NYC with the U.S. debut of the Jameson Distillery on Tour in Hudson Yards.
To celebrate its opening, Jameson enlisted Dermot Kennedy for a surprise performance of his hits, including his brand new single, "Kiss Me", off his forthcoming sophomore album, Sonder.
The Irish native was inspired to join the tour, which is supporting the local busking community by covering the cost of up to 1,000 permits for New York City entertainers through its "Busk on Us" program, due to his busking roots.
"The first stage I ever played was on a street corner in Dublin," Dermot told the NYC crowd during his performance. "As two cities known for marching to the beat of their own drum, it feels full circle to welcome the Jameson Distillery on Tour to New York City and be a part of an initiative that enables fellow buskers to bring their music to the streets. Sharing a piece of where I come from with the city I now call home is something I will never forget. Together, we're celebrating the power of connection, whether with a fellow audience member or over a shared drink with friends."Dermot Kennedy
As fans know, busking is all about making the street your own stage while connecting with strangers through music.
"The performance paid tribute to those committed to their craft — much like the legendary Irish whiskey-maker — surprising onlookers at the start of a two-week lineup featuring some of New York's very own talented buskers, including world-renowned bucket drummer, Jared "Choclatt" Crawford; the eclectic powerhouse with her violin, Joya Bravo; and the composer and songwriter, Justin Sutherland," Jameson shared in a press release.
In addition to Dermot's surprise performance, the Jameson Distillery on Tour also featured a three-part interactive experience that takes visitors on an unforgettable journey through the Irish whiskey's legendary story, triple-distillation process, and signature smooth taste.
This immersive experience is designed to widen both palates and social circles, providing a dedicated space for friends and new faces to come together through a shared exploration of Jameson's heritage and history.
"This is the first time we are bringing Jameson's Distillery on Tour to the U.S., and we couldn't think of a better spot to host this one-of-a-kind experience than Hudson Yards in New York City, a popular destination that attracts visitors from around the globe," Senior Brand Director of Jameson Irish Whiskey, Kelly Suhr, said in a statement. "We're opening up the world of Irish whiskey, connecting with new kindred spirits, showcasing our storied process, and, of course, enjoying our world-class portfolio."
As noted in the press release, within the distillery experience, "guests can interact with branded activities, including shopping Jameson merchandise and snapping pictures with friends at the custom LED photo moment. Visitors can also share a toast and learn whiskey-tasting tips and more brand lore from Jameson's AI Brand Ambassador, Molly: a fully interactive avatar that leverages cutting-edge conversational AI technology from ICONIQ AI. While on-site, people can hold real, meaningful conversations via a continuous YouTube livestream through September 7 – the first AI livestream by a major brand. Those unable to visit in person can also book exclusive virtual Bow St. experiences online."
With limited availability, fans can take advantage of the complimentary Jameson Distillery on Tour through September 7, open daily at the Public Square & Gardens at Hudson Yards.
To learn more about the one-of-a-kind experience straight from Dublin's Bow St. and reserve their spot, fans can visit jamesonwhiskey.com/distillery-on-tour-nyc.
And local buskers can apply for a free permit by visiting www.jamesonwhiskey.com/en-us/BuskonUs.