[Updated] Alcohol-Free Whisky Debuts

By Shuji Sakai Mon., Nov. 21 2011 at 1:35 PM

Source images from arkaybeverages.com

Whiskaaay! Can and bottle not to scale

Update: 11/21, 1:35 p.m. Arkay's November 1 press release claiming it received halal-certification from the Islamic Food & Nutrition Council of America was strongly refuted by that certifying organization.

IFANCA issued its own release and warns "all halal consumers, retailers and distributors. As with any company making halal claims, it is every person's right to ask ArKay Beverages to produce their halal certificate."

The original piece, published November 17, appears below.

You aficionados who know the difference between "whisky" and "whiskey" may want to come up with an alternate spelling for ArKay, the first non-alcoholic whisKay. Whiskaaay. Yeah, that's it.

Here's how the company pitches it on their website:

ArKay, the world`s first alcohol free whisky flavored drink is designed for the socialite to the construction worker. The exceptional taste of whisky without the alcohol making a perfect beverage that anyone can consume.

Anyone can drink it? Like children? And what makes you think socialites and construction workers are on opposite ends of anything? We can totally see Paris Hilton ~~bang~~ hang with construction workers.

ArKay tastes and looks exactly like traditional whisky. It is suitable for drinking straight up, on the rocks, or with soda or your favorite mixers.

Tastes and looks exactly? These are the ingredients in ArKay:

Water

Glycerol

Natural and Artificial flavors

Lactic acid

Caramel color

Potassium Sorbate

Aspartame and Acesulfame K

Phenylketonurics contains Phenyalanine

ARKAY is SUGAR FREE !

Hey, real whisky is sugar free too! So, yeah, exactly like traditional whisky. How much would you pay now? But wait, there's more:

Also known as 'halal whisky' this non-alcoholic drink can be considered as a soft drink and is suitable for any party occasions. Due to the overwhelming response for ArKay from customers and distributors from around the world, we promise to bring our flavored alcohol free beverage to a location near you.

Did you hear that, observant-muslim socialites and construction workers? "Overwhelming response." Pre-order some whiskaaay today!

Shuji Sakai writes about breakfast with longshoremen and genuine imitation whiskey. Follow him on Twitter and professorsalt.com.

Tags:

Arkay, Non-Alcoholic Beverage, Shuji Sakai, whiskaaay

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Maivo7

I really would like to know how to get this nonalcoholic whisky I'm from Chile and I drive so I never can taste a drink , driving laws are very complicated let me know if it is possible

Monika

I wanna invite to visit page: www.sztukawina.pl and www.scottishhouse.pl much kind of alcohol and good price ;)

Guest

alcohol is metabolized just like sugar is so whiskey may be sugar free but it might as well be full of sugar.

Marc_v

Well, legal actions are taking place, since in the US and Europe, this drink does not correspond to the legal definition of whisky. Fake stuff

KentuckyIrish

True - it does not conform, but you can advertise "whisky-flavored" which is what it looks like it is presenting.

S. Britchky

"an alternate spelling"

How about "cheeese"?

I've actually enjoyed a few non-alky beers (and find the experience interesting -- no hit as it goes down), but whiskey? We'd lose, among other things, the meaning of W. C. Fields's great line: "Drown in a vat of whiskey? Oh death, where is thy sting?"