When Jazz Met Whisky: An Evening Of Savouring The Singleton At The Piano Man
There’s a particular energy that settles over a room when jazz begins to play—unhurried yet electric, inviting you to lean in and truly listen. On a winter evening at The Piano Man Jazz Bar in Delhi, this energy was paired with something equally compelling: the warm amber glow of single malt whisky in crystal glasses and a crowd ready to be present and savour the moment.
The occasion was Analogue Jams—a curated listening session inspired by the "New York state of mind," where intimate jazz rooms, vinyl culture, and the ritual of slowing down with music came together. The premise was delightfully simple: iconic jazz tracks paired with specially crafted cocktails, each built around The Singleton single malt. What unfolded was the first evening of a three-part series that felt less like a product showcase and more like an invitation to fully immerse oneself in a singular, sensorial moment.
The Art Of Not Rushing
Led by Ravi Rajagopalan—a respected jazz collector and partner in The Singleton Analogue Jam’s jazz journey—the evening featured vinyl-only playback on LPs in full analogue style. Over a 90-minute session, tracks were played in pairs, each followed by a bespoke Singleton cocktail created to reflect the mood and emotion of the songs.
"You drink a single malt because you want to savour the experience," Rajagopalan explained between tracks. "And jazz, too, is a collective experience that individuals can relate to in their own way. In today's dopamine-driven world, no one stops anymore."
It’s a philosophy that resonated throughout the night and embodies the idea of "The Single Moment." As classic crooners floated through the speakers, conversation hummed at a considerate volume. People weren’t just drinking—they were tasting. They weren’t just hearing music—they were immersed in it.
A Cocktail For Every Track
Anurag Dhingra, brand ambassador for The Singleton, designed the evening's drinks menu with a clear vision: each cocktail would complement a specific track, with all three built on the 12-year-old Singleton single malt. The whisky's slightly sweeter, almost fruity character provided an ideal foundation for reimagining classic serves.
Take The 'A' Train kicked things off with the intrigue its namesake song demands. A highball mixed with green apple, celery cordial, soda, and a twist of lemon peel, it was brighter and lighter than one typically expects from a whisky cocktail. The drink captured that quintessential New York attitude—the kind that makes you want to move, to do, and to experience.
Central Park West offered something more contemplative. This reimagined New York Sour combined thyme-infused honey, vegan foam, bitters, and an earthy white wine with the single malt. The flavours didn’t rush; they settled on the palate gradually, revealing layers: the sweetness, the herbaceous notes, and the subtle nuttiness of The Singleton itself. Like its namesake park, it was a drink you’d remember even after the glass was empty.
By contrast, New York, New York was unapologetically bold. Straddling the line between a Manhattan and a Rob Roy, it featured sweet vermouth, cacao bitters, and a smoked cherry garnish. This was whisky dressed up but still recognisable—rich, oaky, and with that familiar smoky depth. It demanded to be sipped slowly, like neat whisky on the rocks, rewarding patience with complexity.
The evening's wild card arrived in a teapot. The Secret Serve—a peach iced tea and whisky concoction—caught everyone off guard. Poured with theatrical flourish, it somehow managed to embody jazz's intricate chord progressions. It was playful and sophisticated at once, proof that the best surprises come when you're least expecting them.
Singing Along To Sinatra As the evening progressed, ribbon-tied scrolls appeared at each table, bearing the lyrics to "New York, New York." When the vinyl crackled to life, something unexpected happened: the room joined in. Glasses rested on tables as voices rose together: "I want to be a part of it, New York, New York." It was a moment that couldn’t have been orchestrated, only invited. And it set the tone for what came next.
KAATAN, also known as Inga, took the stage for the evening’s closing performance. The band was tight, the vocals were assured, and by the final number, the room was buzzing with the particular energy created by this multisensorial experience.
The Rhythm of Immersion Walking out of The Piano Man that night, the city hadn’t changed—Delhi was still its chaotic, relentless self. But something had shifted internally. For a few hours, a room full of people had chosen to stop scrolling, stop rushing, and stop consuming at speed. They’d chosen to savour.
The pauses between tracks became spaces for genuine conversation. The single malt wasn’t just present—it was an experience unto itself. The music wasn’t background noise—it was intentional. In a world increasingly designed for speed and convenience, an evening spent savouring feels quietly radical.
*Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
