Host a whisky
tasting like
a pro
Does sampling scotch make you think of a quiet evening sitting by the fireplace in high-back leather chairs? Well, think again. With these tips, tricks and how-to hacks, you can elevate the experience by serving up drams of single malt in your space, on your terms. Follow along below to rewrite the rules and impress your guests along the way.
1. MAP EVERYTHING OUT IN ADVANCE
Pick a set date and time, then send custom digital invites to your guest list. Sure, your event might not fit everyone’s schedules… but this is The Glenlivet, and they’ll make exceptions.
Choose a theme to tie everything together. Consider a seasonal approach (because whisky is for more than winter) or make a splash by celebrating birthdays or milestones (hint: coordinate the whisky’s age to your anniversary). Single malt isn’t the only thing that ages to perfection, you know.
Come up with a playlist that’ll keep the mood light. It’s your call, but we find indie tunes or instrumental tracks maintain a nice, smooth vibe without triggering yawns or blasting out ear drums.
Get the right glassware for the drinks you’ll be serving. You can start by stocking the cupboard with these go-tos:
* A snifter glass for neat pours
* A tumbler glass for adding water or making a spirit-forward drink (like an Old Fashioned)
* A highball glass for simple mixed cocktails (like, well… a Highball)
Prepare sensory plates to pair with the single malt scotch whisky you’re serving. Go with bite-size snacks like chocolates, almonds or cheeses to enhance the flavors in your sip.
Pro tip: Crackers and sorbets also make great palate cleansers between sips.
Line up a variety of whiskies from our collection to taste. Select three or four bottles in a range of ages and order delivery to make things even easier. Encourage guests to bring their favorites, too!
Storage tip: Keep bottles upright in a cool area (~59-68° F), avoiding humidity and direct sunlight.
2. STUDY UP, TAKE THE LEAD AND BE ORIGINAL
Open with a short introduction so everyone’s clued in about what they’ll be trying.
Pro tip: Impress people with your knowledge of the chill-filtration process or read up on the role water and ice play in whisky tasting.
Break from typical tasting norms by encouraging guests to try their scotch in different ways: neat, with a splash of water, over ice, from the freezer or even mixed in your favorite cocktail.
Stir up group discussion and don’t take yourself too seriously! Ask for people’s opinions, engage them in small talk and see which sips surprised them most. If their opinions go against the grain, that’s a good thing.
Bonus tip: Need a few whisky conversation starters?
3. SERVE THE GLENLIVET’S BIGGEST CROWD-PLEASERS
Because everyone is here for the Scotch, after all.
THE GLENLIVET
12 YEAR OLD
It’s one of the most popular single malt scotch whiskies in the world – for good reason. 12 Year Old represents our signature style, with notes of vanilla and a distinctive smoothness that both whisky novices and experts love.
THE GLENLIVET
14 YEAR OLD
Bursting with sweet and fruity aromas, 14 Year Old is a celebration of our Speyside craft. It develops unique raisin and citrus notes from bourbon and sherry casks before a selective finish in cognac casks that gives it a rich, intense flavor. Delectable.
THE GLENLIVET
15 YEAR OLD
This scotch gets its delicate spice from maturing a portion of the spirit in French oak casks. The technique has since been imitated the world over (fitting, since we always start trends, never follow them).
THE GLENLIVET
18 YEAR OLD
18 Year Old is a gorgeous single malt that is complex, elegant and balanced. It’s also won more awards than any other expression. Serve this one to really make an impression on your guests.
4. DOWNLOAD AND PRINT WHISKY-TASTING ESSENTIALS
The following handouts are guaranteed to give your party even more personality, which is always a good thing:
– A tasting wheel to provide sampling inspiration and help identify aromas, flavors and profiles. It’ll steer guests toward what they should look for in a dram. Everyone’s experience is different, so remind guests to be open-minded and listen.
– Name tags to help break the ice and spark conversation. Encourage guests to add a fun fact, their favorite whisky or just a hilarious story to trigger some laughs.
– A score sheet to guide guests through their tasting journey (and compare results at the end of the night). It’ll be interesting to see who hits it off over the same sips and whose opinions ruffle some feathers!
5. GIVE YOURSELF A PAT ON THE BACK
Congrats, you took the leap! Pulling off an elevated whisky tasting on your own terms is no small feat, so take a minute to savor your hosting success. Then assign a new host for next time so you can all keep the dram good times going…