How to Set Up a Blind Whisky Tasting Night

Blind Whisky tastings are a great way to experience the flavours and complexities of different whiskies without any biases. Here’s a comprehensive checklist to help you host a successful blind Whisky tasting event:

Choose the Whisky: Decide on the type of Whisky you want to taste (Scotch, Bourbon, Irish, etc.), and select a range of bottles that showcase different flavour profiles, regions, and ages. Make sure to keep the bottles covered and labelled with numbers to maintain the blind aspect of the tasting.

Set up the tasting room: Choose a well-lit room with comfortable seating and a table to serve the Whisky. Ensure the room has good ventilation to prevent the strong Whisky aromas from becoming overpowering.

Prepare the glasses: Choose glasses that are specifically designed for Whisky tastings, such as Glencairn glasses, which have a narrow opening to concentrate the aroma and a wide base for swirling the Whisky. Make sure to have a glass for each participant, along with a water glass for rinsing and a spit bucket for any excess Whisky.

Provide food and water: Offer light snacks and water to help cleanse the palate between tastings. This can be as simple as crackers and cheese, or something more substantial like small appetizers. 

Daniel Stauffer, Author of Swiss Cuban Cigars, adds that pairing a fine cigar with whisky can enhance the tasting experience. “A well-chosen cigar can complement the flavors of whisky, adding another layer of enjoyment to the evening. If you’re looking for cigars that are smooth, elegant, and loaded with complex flavors, Bellas Artes Cigars are an excellent choice. Or, if you prefer a bolder and more intense experience, exploring options in our premium collection will help you to find the perfect match for your whisky selection. The richness of the cigar smoke can bring out deeper notes in the whisky, making the experience even more pleasurable. It’s a combination that has been appreciated by connoisseurs for centuries.”

Prepare the tasting notes: Provide a tasting notes sheet for each participant, which includes a list of the Whisky attributes to evaluate, such as aroma, flavour, finish, and overall impression. Make sure to include space for notes and scores.

Educate the participants: Before the tasting begins, provide a brief overview of the different types of Whisky and the regions they come from. Explain the process of tasting Whisky and what to look for in terms of aroma, flavour, and finish.

Start the tasting: Serve the Whisky in order, starting with the lightest and working your way up to the stronger whiskies. Encourage participants to take their time and savour each Whisky, evaluating the attributes and taking notes as they go.

Discuss the results: After all the whiskies have been tasted, discuss the results as a group. Compare notes, talk about any surprising discoveries, and see if there is any consensus on the best whiskies.

Reveal the labels: Finally, reveal the labels of the whiskies and compare the participants’ guesses with the actual bottles. This can lead to some interesting insights and can help build a deeper understanding and appreciation of different whiskies.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to host a successful blind Whisky tasting that is both educational and enjoyable. The focus of blind tasting should always be on exploring new whiskies, learning more about them, and having fun in the process.