Page 85 - BWA FEB 2013

February 2013 | Business World Magazine | 85
only recently introduced, demand for the
beverage has generated sales throughout
the world, and the company is building on
current successes by introducing new lines
of vodka, rum, gin and Tequila, which may
taste like the real deal, but are totally free of
alcohol. Grattagliano was inspired to pro-
duce the drinks following an episode with his
22 year-old son, who upon returning home
from a party where there was ample imbib-
ing, began to feel those certain unappealing
after-effects. “He suggested that someone
should create a whisky that doesn’t leave you
feeling so hung-over,” explains Grattagliano.
The son, of course, didn’t realize that sug-
gestion would compel his father to not only
spend the next five years of his life research-
ing such a method, but he would spend five
million dollars to make it happen.
Though Grattagliano doesn’t have a
background in beverage development, he
certainly understands chemistry, as well as
how to combine ingredients in such a way as
to attract allure and appeal from the discrim-
inating masses. He has made an enviable for-
tune by creating designer perfumes which are
touted by some of the top beauty & cosmetic
companies known to the world. After spend-
ing nearly two years attempting to devise an
alcohol-free derivative that not only smelled,
but tasted like whiskey, Grattagliano sought
the expertise from a team of scientists at a lab
in Switzerland. This collaboration ultimately
resulted in the creation of an entirely new
molecule, the quintessential break-through
by which Arkay beverages were born.
The name derives from Grattagliano’s
travels abroad. Apparently, during his stays
in China, some people had trouble pro-
nouncing his first name. Instead of saying
“Reynald” their utterance was closer to “Arr-
K” – which was AOK with him.