DRINK : How to Host a Scotch Tasting Party for New Whisky Drinkers
Whilst you may enjoy whisky for your evening tipple, whether it’s served on the rocks or in your favourite cocktail, Scotch whisky demands to be enjoyed in its cleanest form. Forget mixing Scotch with a soft drink or ice, this elite type of whisky should be drunk neat and with purpose. Whether you’re a long-term whisky drinker or new to the game, the best way to discover the incredible depth of Scotch is to try a wide variety from the five different regions.
How to Host a Scotch Tasting Party for New Whisky Drinkers
Hosting a Scotch tasting party is a brilliant and fun way to learn more about this one-of-a-kind spirit. Perhaps you’re keen to learn more about Scotch whisky yourself or you just want to impart your wisdom about this fantastic spirit to your nearest and dearest, whatever your motivation is follow our tips for how to host a Scotch tasting party and welcome some more whisky drinkers to the wonderful world of whisky.
Do your Research
The key to a successful Scotch tasting party is research. Whether you hire an expert to lead the tasting session or get your own knowledge up to scratch, a well-researched tasting party will be more enjoyable for you and your guests. There is a lot to know about Scotch whisky, from the different regions and their unique flavour profiles, so make sure you can explain each whisky sample you offer to your fellow whisky drinkers.
Check out our quick rundown of the whisky regions.
Scotch Whisky Regions
Scotch whisky is exclusive to Scotland, and it is due to the water, climate and landscape of the country that makes Scotch unable to be replicated elsewhere across the globe.
Your favourite region will depend on what flavours you enjoy the most because each region has distinct characteristics. Therefore, a Scotch tasting party is a great way to discover a new type of whisky and find out which region suits your taste.
Highland
The Scottish Highlands covers a lot of ground which means there are sub-regions in the north, east, south and west. However, the one thing Scotch from the highlands has in common is a deep, complex yet elegant flavour.
Flavours: malt, dried fruit, grassy and mildly smoky.
Lowland
This Scotch is usually soft and smooth.
Flavours: cream, toffee, toast, cinnamon, grass, ginger and honeysuckle.
Campbeltown
This region is arguably the most varied of the five.
Flavours: smoke and salt balanced with dried fruit and toffee.
Islay
Scotch from Islay tend to be much stronger than their counterparts, which new whisky drinkers may find overwhelming. Islay Scotch is definitely an acquired taste.
Flavours: peat, brine, seawood and smoke.
Speyside
Speyside whisky is a great Scotch to sample if you’re a whisky drinker newbie because of its lighter, sweeter and fruitier flavour profile.
Flavours: honey, apple, pear, vanilla and spice.
Organise your Samples
Depending on the size of your whisky tasting party, it may be more cost-effective to order samples for each guest rather than buying a full-sized bottle of each whisky you are sampling. Whatever route you go down, make sure you have enough to go around, prepped, and ready to go.
Prepare whisky tasting cards for each Scotch and hand them around before you start. Include the name of the Scotch, what region it’s from and its flavour profile so that your guests can note down their likes and dislikes of each sample.
Gather your Glassware
When tasting Scotch, using the correct glassware is essential. The right glass can make or break your tasting experience and enhance the whisky that you’re drinking. Opt for either an Old-Fashioned whisky glass (these are more common) or a Glencairn glass. An Old-Fashioned glass with its short sides, wide mouth and thick base is designed to release the scent of the whisky on straight pours. The Glencairn glass is a tulip shape which expertly guides the aroma of the whisky to your nose as you sip which allows you to appreciate the full flavour of the whisky.
Make sure that you have enough suitable glasses for the whole group – ideally 2-3 glasses per person so that you can wash and alternate as you go along.
Keep your Servings Small
Measure out each serving accurately and aim for between 30ml-40ml each time. This is the perfect amount for your fellow whisky drinkers to get a good taste of the spirit without overwhelming them. If you plan on trying a lot of whiskies, then it is wise to keep your servings
small. Not only will you be able to better experience the Scotch, but this will ensure that your guests don’t get too drunk too quickly.
Food
With that said, no party is complete without food – especially one that involves sampling lots of Scotch. Opt for a charcuterie board with lots of meats and cheeses to complement the whisky so that your guests can then graze whilst enjoying their Scotch. Prepare your board ahead of the party and add bread, crackers, olives and other nibbles so that you don’t have to worry about arranging the food once your guests arrive.
How to Taste Whisky
Finally, once you have all the other elements of the party organised you can get to the fun part – trying the Scotch! To fully appreciate the whisky you are drinking, follow these steps:
Look
Look at the colour of the whisky in your glass. The colour of the Scotch can indicate the age, for example darker toned whiskies tend to be older.
Smell
Inhale the scent of the Scotch and see if you recognise any flavours. Scotch from the Islay region may be more recognisable due to its smoky flavour. This will help you get a good sense of the whisky’s flavour profile.
Taste
The best bit! Take a small sip of your whisky and swirl it in your mouth to appreciate the depth of flavour. Some whiskies taste different to how they smell, so take a couple of small sips close together to appreciate the full spectrum of flavours.
Finish
The taste left on your palate after you have drunk your whisky is called the finish. At this point you may recognise different flavours. The longer you can taste the whisky means the longer the finish is, which means that the whisky is more complex.
Plan your party in advance and make sure to keep some of the less expensive bottles of Scotch whisky aside for the late-night revellers who want to continue with the party after the tasting has finished. With the wide range of Scotch whisky available, you’re sure to convert a few friends to becoming Scotch whisky drinkers.
Slainte!
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