Host a Bourbon Tasting Event Without Sending Everyone Home Drunk

Many people often ask what they should do when hosting a bourbon tasting party. Without a doubt, many people face problems when doing such events hence the need for essential tips that will help in guiding them on what they should and should not do when holding a bourbon tasting party. To begin with, what you should know before hosting such an event is that it is more than pouring whiskey in a glass and talking about it. Despite talking over a glass of bourbon being fun for an evening, an educational element must be available so that people can learn about their favorite bourbon. Below are some of the steps that I suggest for people to practice when hosting a bourbon tasting party.

Before you start tasting your bourbon, patron a liquor store. You may need assistance in doing this, as it may be overwhelming in some instances. Do this by selecting brands from different categories to allow you to educate your guests on different varieties and flavors.

Step One: Choose a theme for tasting. Although this may sound hard, it can be easy if you pick simple like bourbon with classical bourbon that is made with wheat, rye, and Tennessee whiskey and use it to draw a comparison. Alternatively, you can get bourbons from the same distiller with the same age and brand but with different proofs or the same brand but different ages. Regardless of the theme you pick, stick with it but plan the purpose of tasting.

Step Two: Pour the bourbon. Don’t overdo it. You can always go back and pour more bourbon after tasting. Pour about half an ounce each to make it manageable. Pour all the guests their bourbon before tasting but keep reminding them that they might go back between bourbons whenever they need in between bourbons. Use one glass for each pour, preferably a Glencairn whiskey glass, which is readily available in many distilleries; they can also select rock glasses that equally work well.

Step Three: Avail water. Provide bottled and distilled water that is free from chlorine or any other chemicals associated with tap water. However, if by any chance you have a tap water filtration system, tap water would be fine. People can drink water in between tastings and can also add it to the whiskey while opening it up. You can use Glencairn small water pitchers to add water or my preferred choice of straw or bottled water cap to control water.  

Step Four: Avail a palate cleanser. This can be saltine crackers or any other commonly available palate cleansers.

Step Five: Provide a pen and paper for notes. While tasting bourbon, it is good to take some notes and write down each person’s admissions and impressions for future reference. Each individual can be given a tasting sheet that has spaces where distiller, brand, age, color, nose and finish can be written on.

Step Six: Prepare some food for comparison. The food can include dried fruits, cheese, olives, country ham and chocolates among others. You don’t have to make all these available but all of them should be of different varieties. Doing this makes it easy for people to find out the effect that food has on tasting experience.

Step Seven: Go on and start tasting. While your guests are tasting, be vigilant, and ensure that they drink responsible and will not drink and drive. Research the best, secure cab companies to take your guests home just in case some might not be comfortable driving. Serve a good meal after tasting.

The most important thing is that 15-20 minutes of tasting should be allowed per bourbon for a group of between 6 and 12 tasters, while more minutes can be allocated for larger groups. Have fun tasting.