A Bourbon & Banter Whiskey Tasting Experience is the perfect choice for a variety of private and corporate events including: And anything else you can think of that would be better with whiskey. As the host, you need to make sure no one is drinking and driving. Another themed idea could be barrel proof or cask strength whiskies. Glasses, water, bourbon, snacks. It is critical to not rush the process and ruin the vibe! Bourbon & Banter's singular mission is to teach the world how to drink curious. Compare rare or limited release bourbons, or compare them to the corresponding regular-release bourbons. Mike And Matt Taste The Hardins Creek Bourbons, Mike And Matt Taste Bridge Series American Wheat Whiskey, Mike And Matt Taste Sam Houston 15-Year-Old Bourbon, Mike And Matt Taste Brush Creek Railroad Rye, Mike And Matt Taste Ben Holladay Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, Mike And Matt Taste Makers Mark Master Distiller And Master of Maturation Select Bottles, Mike And Matt Taste Michters Barrel Strength Bourbon From Fort Nelson, Mike And Matt Taste Barkers Mill Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, Lexington, Kentucky Distillers Bluegrass Distillers, Lexington, Kentucky Distilleries Barrel House Distillery. Stay away from fried foods, rich flavors or too much cheese (this isnt wine tasting, after all). There isnt really a simple explanation to this, so hang on while I dump some boozy knowledge on you: In summary, all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Step Seven: Proceed to the tasting and have fun. I think thats a really fun idea, so I figured Id give some advice based on what weve learned the last 4 years. P.S. Just because the Bourbon is in the glass doesnt mean they have to drink it all in one taste. Hopefully it will inspired people to host their own tastings. Make sure to have full pitchers around for refills! Please book your event a minimum of 3-months in advance if you're interested in exploring adding vintage whiskeys to your tasting. Tasting is appreciating the multilayered experience of the bourbon. Why not invite all your friends over for a lovely evening of bourbon tasting? Snacks: A tasting isnt complete without some eats! With that said, you can also free pour if you and your guests are looking for a laid-back vibe! You can go one bottle at a time and then share your thoughts on that bottle together. Make sure to have full pitchers around for refills! Once youve done some tasting and understand the flavors, you will appreciate the finer options. Depending on team availability within your location, additional costs for travel and lodging may apply. Water: When tasting, its recommended to have a second sip with a few drops of water to open up the aroma. Other themes could be Bourbons from the same distiller, Bourbons of the same age, Bourbons of the same brand but different proofs, Bourbons of the same brand but different ages. If there is something you think will be interesting, go with that theme but plan the tasting with a purpose. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. The second rule is to limit your bourbon selection to between four and six barrels. Well thats what I told her and with a little convincing and begging, we had hosted our first bourbon tasting about two month later. Furthermore, the notes will help when discussing the bourbons after everybody has finished the tasting. . Guests can enjoy a variety of whiskeys offered from one or more bars setup throughout your event. Copyright 2022 Kim and Kalee. So it would stand to reason that at the confluence of good bourbon and good friends stands the true meaning of life. The number of whiskeys will vary according to your preferences and budget. The whole tasting took about an hour and then we also had dinner. Some basic ideas to get you started with complimentary flavors are: Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Use the same. Then you could choose Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, 1792 Full Proof, and EHT Barrel Proof. Hosting an at home bourbon tasting party is so much fun and a great way to find your favorite bourbon without spending a ton of money! We forget that whiskey is meant to be consumed and enjoyed with friends. I would suggest dried fruits, fresh fruits, cheeses, country ham or other similar meats, olives and chocolates of several styles. Youve decided on the 5 buddies who are coming over, youve smoked a brisket all day and meticulously picked 4 themed bourbons from your collection. Im throwing that out there and you know what, its the truth! The key is that we focused on some of Michters whiskies. If you follow these simple steps your Bourbon tasting should be a success. Water can be bottled water or distilled water without chlorine and other chemicals in tap water. I am glad you liked it. Youll want to choose your bourbons, decide on glassware and food, hand out paper or a tasting card, and provide some water or bucket to use between samples. Remember to pick a theme, come up with easy and simple descriptors, start off uniformly and have a good time! If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Limit the tasting itself to three or four Bourbons and make the pours small about a half an ounce each. Well thats the best advice I can give for how to host a bourbon tasting. To get a quote for your own Whiskey Tasting Experience click the button below! Terms of Service. There is no wrong way to enjoy whiskey, but you really want to all start on the same foot so that you are experiencing it all together equally. the bourbon. Were mother-daughter lifestyle influencers living in Nashville, sharing tips on mindset, entrepreneurship, healthy living & traveling.

Preferably, you will have bottled water to serve to your guests. A swish of water or some crackers can help, too. Still have questions? When it comes to tasting, especially in a group setting, keep it simple! Be responsible and dont let your guests drink and drive. How many whiskeys are included in a tasting experience? Rye whiskey uses rye or a mixture or rye and malt. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.

Traditionally a glass with a small opening such as a Glencairn or snifter will help to concentrate the aroma but you can get by with white wine glasses, rocks glasses, or even disposable plastic. When tasting, its recommended to have a second sip with a few drops of water to open up the aroma. That is what its all about, after all. Still have questions? Glencairn makes small water pitchers for adding water. You should provide all guests with a pencil and small notepad to write down their thoughts and observations of each bourbon they are tasting. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you have a water filtration system on your tap that should be fine. I hope you enjoy your tasting. Usually the darker the color, the longer it has been aged. Your tasting sheet can be simple a few ideas to include on the tasting notes would be: Whatever you include, youll want to let your guests know before starting the tasting and give them time to write down their thoughts between each sample. thanks. For those looking for something special beyond a straight whiskey tasting, we can also offer expertise in classic whiskey cocktails and craft beer carefully selected to complement your event's whiskey selections.

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Its also such a fun way to get friends together! Bourbon unites us together. You can pick several different offerings from the same distillery. Site Credits.Branding by Melissa Rose Design.Development by Once Coupled. For extra credit, you can provide tasting mats (easily found as free printables online), or you can roll out some butcher paper across the table and put down some markers. If you wanted to go with the sweeter side of bourbon, choose a wheated bourbon tasting. Whats a theme? It is more than just pouring Bourbon in a glass and talking about it, even though that is a fun activity for an evening. Part of the fun of a bourbon tasting is noting what you like or dislike about each one! To open it up, youll just need a tiny drop in each glass if you decide to do it. We chose 3 entry level bourbons to try and knew what we were drinking each time because we didnt have an affiliation to any of the brands. Since 2020, its been easier to just do things at home and if youre up for it this is such a fun thing to try with friends! Learn how your comment data is processed. Filed Under: Reflections Tagged With: fun. Bourbon & Banter reserves the right to request proof of age for any guest that we feel may not meet the legal drinking age requirements. It is best to pour all of the guests their Bourbons before you start the tasting and remind them that it might be good to go back and forth between the Bourbons as the tasting proceeds. What should I do? I always tell them that there are some basic things you should do when hosting a Bourbon tasting. There are many things that must be considered and planned for before the big night arrives. Kentucky Distilleries Map by Chuck Cowdery, Hire A Bourbon Whiskey ExpertFor Your Next Event, Hire A Bourbon Whiskey Expert For Your Next Event. You can always use a solo cup or another type of glass, but a true taster would want the proper glass. We can even provide integrated pairing themes (e.g., Bourbon, Beer & Bavaria) in partnership with your favorite local restaurant. If you're looking for a whiskey tasting for your business or organization, please visit our, The cost of a Whiskey Tasting Experience are dependent on the amount of people attending, the whiskeys to be sampled, and the selection of additional event options (e.g., custom glassware, cocktail stations, etc.)

Perhaps the only more universally beloved thing is get-togethers with good friends. When doing a tasting, the most important thing to do correctly is pick a theme. If you are not a fan of stemware, the Glencairn is a great alternative, serving as sort of a middle ground between the two more classic types of glassware. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. We chose to sample Michters standard offerings, so it was US Kentucky Straight Bourbon, US American Whiskey, and US Sour Mash. are you able to provide vintage whiskeys for our event? Fruity, spicy, floral, herbal, or woodsy can all be used to describe bourbon. This is the experience after swallowing. For tastings held at commercial venue, we'll work closely with your chosen restaurant or caterer to ensure the whiskey selections are properly paired with your event's food and drink menu providing a truly integrated dining experience. Jess lives in Rochester Hills with her husband- Jeff, two sons, and two Vizslas. Everyone should be over 21 years old and needs to be responsible. All rights reserved.

Also, people will be able to appreciate the complementary flavors of the four-to-six bourbons without being overwhelmed. Fueled by his belief in the power of sharing a drink with good friends and the importance of living a #DrinkCurious lifestyle, Pops has become a sought after whiskey expert for private and corporate whiskey tastings, industry events and has been featured in media publications such as American Whiskey Magazine, AskMen.com, and Thrillist. Stick to the classics, vanilla, caramel, oak, and tobacco. The key now is to do the pouring correctly!

I told her Id get back to her and immediately started the google machine. Drop us a line or give us a call today at 314.669.1792 and we'll be happy to explain everything to you. Your guests may also like a sip between tastings as well, and they may also choose to spit each sample after tasting it thus, the need for the bucket.

Side Note: Youre going to want to send out classy invitations to your bourbon tasting party! I texted my buddy Jacob and we were sold. Enter your email address to follow bourbonveach.com and receive notifications of new posts by email. I suggest that you serve a more substantial meal after the tasting and before they get behind the wheel.

Much like wine, there is a complexity to bourbon that can be appreciated by tasting and there is no better time than early autumn to grab a few bottles and host a tasting session. Step Six: Provide some food for comparison. Thats all. Some of our go-to, sitting around the campfire sippers are in the lower bracket. By following the steps enumerated above, you can give yourself the best chance of success for your bourbon tasting party. At any classy bourbon tasting event, certain standards must be maintained. We have expanded our operations over the years to include multiple countries and a wide variety of barrels. It is the responsibility of the event host (you or your company) for confirming that all attendee's are at least 21 years of age. Comparing all of these is a good start. You could do a blind tasting and reveal the results after as well or bring in an expert for an educational tasting party. A tasting isnt complete without some eats! We cannot impress upon you enough the importance of having fun! Scotland, Canada and Japan make whisky (no e). Details related to this service will be discussed in advance and properly documented in our service contract for your review and approval. Here are a few of our favorites: For the true connoisseur, there are many specific flavors in bourbon that can be singled out and paired with similar flavors in foods. Sometimes, us drinker/collectors, myself included, forget what this game is all about. If you smoke, a nice cigar goes great with bourbon as well! Considered one of the top online destinations for those looking to learn about Bourbon and American Whiskey, we are excited to bring our expertise and passion to your next corporate or private event. You can follow up the tasting sessions with a classy dinner to have more time to discuss the delicious bourbons you and your friends just consumed! Traditionally a glass with a small opening such as a Glencairn or snifter will help to concentrate the aroma but you can get by with white wine glasses, rocks glasses, or even disposable plastic. This will let your guests take notes on each sampling. The truth is that the options are virtually unlimited! It seemed like first and foremost, we would get together every so often and drink bourbon, obviously. Let me know how it comes out. I remember when we first had the idea to start a Bourbon Society. Its fun and delicious. Rather, you must decide on the bourbon theme you are going to showcase at your party. This theme in this sense is not for what costumes people are going to wear to your bourbon tasting party. what do i need to do to reserve a date for my whiskey tasting experience? You can use any glasses you have around. You may also choose to do a full meal like chicken and waffles, bacon cheeseburgers, and chocolate cupcakes. You could pick a single barrel tasting. We recommend sending them out several weeks in advance, so your friends have time to RSVP and get excited for the big night! Great ideas, cant wait to host. For corporate-style events, we will provide food recomendations as well, or for an additional fee, we will consult with your venue's chef or catering staff to craft a one-of-a-kind menu paired to your event's whiskey of choice. This will also dull down the proof and can make the experience a little less intense with the stronger flavors. These are just a few of the more popular Whiskey Tasting Experience themes we offer our clients (mouse-over for more details). Food will coat the stomach, slowing the absorption of alcohol. Your sense of smell is much stronger than your sense of taste. Ideally, every glass should be given 15 to 20 minutes for a group of 6 to 10 people, a little more if you have a larger crowd.

Sometimes, people just get too pretentious when it comes to bourbon. Pappy, Makers, and other like-minded distillers choose wheat as their second highest ingredient and those do tend to be a lot sweeter.) Share your vision with us and we'll craft a one-of-a-kind Whiskey Tasting Experience your guests won't soon forget. If these options arent available, your local liquor store should be able to recommend a substitution. So it just depends on your group of friends getting together.

A signed contract and 50% service fee deposit is required to formally reserve a date for your tasting event. Each Whiskey Tasting Experience includes the following: Food is not included in the cost of your whiskey tasting. Consider doing the tasting at the beginning of the night and then showing a movie or watching a sports game after. Learn how your comment data is processed. Good job, but you might want to cool it a bit because you sound lame. Keep your lips open and inhale above the opening of the glass. After the first sip, you can introduce a few drops of water and repeat the process. To refresh everyones palates between tasting sessions, you ought to provide your guests with some food. The foods that pair best with bourbon are typically cheeses, fresh fruits, ham, chocolates, or olives. You dont need all of these food items, just picking a couple of them will do fine. Consider your friends favorite tastes and also dont hesitate to discuss with whoever is supplying your bourbon to see which flavors go best with each bottle or brand. By definition, whiskey (or whisky) is any distilled liquor made from a fermented mash of cereal grain such as barley, malt, rye, wheat or corn that is aged in wooden containers. What smells are you picking up on? The first thing youll notice is the. Our experience however is that a minimum of two hours is required. Swirl the glass gently. Rocky Mountain Barrel Company offers the greatest used barrels and the best service to the customers. bourbon tasting party, how to host a bourbon tasting. Our team of whiskey experts have shared their knowledge and passion for Bourbon and American whiskey for millions of people online and at private tasting parties, corporate events, private clubs, and conferences. As you learn the unique characteristics of each bourbon, you can sample with more in-depth food pairings. Let us help you make your next event unforgettable. Yes, all guests must be at least 21 years of age to attend a Bourbon & Banter Whiskey Tasting Experience.

Whether your guest list includes ten people or 100, our signature Whiskey Tasting Experiences are customized to meet your unique requirements, ensuring a great time for your guests and "host of the year" accolades for you. If you want to do a true tasting, youll want to have Bourbon glasses for each person and each sample. Different areas of the tongue will appreciate different flavorsthe tip will notice the sweet, salty toward the middle, and bitter further toward the back. Copyright 2021 Bourbon & Banter, LLC. How long does a whiskey tasting experience last? I told my wife, then fianc, that I was starting a bourbon society and she laughed a second then said, Ok cool, what does a bourbon society do?. When you have a theme, a shared group of certain whiskies, you are able to enjoy it all together. As with most liquors, bourbon has several price points to choose from. Bourbon was first produced in Kentucky and uses over half of the mash from corn. Honestly, who doesnt love a good stiff glass of bourbon? Quick and easy bites, bowls of salted nuts, crackers for palate cleansing and some density will make sure the booze doesnt hit you too fast. You can add more if you like, it just depends how much you want to actually remember about your tasting. Stay away from fried foods, rich flavors or too much cheese (this isnt wine tasting, after all). The key is to choose bourbons/whiskies that have a common theme that you can connect back together. What does that even mean?!? Theres nothing wrong with having the taste buds of a Greek God but in these intimate group settings, youre putting too much pressure on it. Glasses: You can use any glasses you have around. For our tasting of 3 whiskeys and 3 people, we needed 9 glasses. Let it be fun and delicious and dont take it too seriously! The shopping list is less complex than the history of the drink. For our bourbon tasting, we kept things easy. In the U.S. there are minimum requirements to classify as a rye whiskey, Canadian rye whisky does not specify.

Of course, you want to keep your at-home bourbon tasting party safe! While experienced tasters will recommend distilled water with an eyedropper, a water glass and teaspoon at every place setting is perfect. Its really impressive how different the flavor profile can be with a little bit of water. Id say 15-20 minutes was taken with each whiskey, but as the host you can tailor the event to your preferences too! We use cookies (soaked in whiskey) to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. So, the one thing we did right was choose a correct theme.

Whiskey Dinners are a great way to celebrate your team's success, entertain clients, or raise money for your favorite charity. The amber liquid looks like a late summer sunset, smells of oak, and feels like a warm hug. Click below and we'll be happy to explain everything to you. As the world returns to normal, people are eager to get back together. This will ensure that everybody will get enough bourbon without getting too much. Each pour should be about a half ounce of bourbon. Second most important thing is to not get lost in the whiskey descriptors! At Rocky Mountain Barrel Company, we know how important and special a bourbon tasting can be! If you arent part of our family yet, we suggest you give us a call! No matter what your barrel-related query, we would love to help you solve it! The second ingredient tends to be rye then malted barley. First things first: the theme. Host an at Home Bourbon Tasting Party (Notes Template Included), Multiple bourbons from the same distiller, Taste the same bourbon brand but in another year, Choose bourbons with the same proof but different distilleries, Choose different states or regions for each sample, Compare single barrels from different distillers.

I am saying this with a group of 6-12 tasters in mind but it could be longer for bigger groups. We recommend only comparing 3 at a time so your tongue doesnt get burned where it cant distinguish the different flavors as well. A higher proof may require a little more but still, be conservative. Step Three: Provide water. You could pick Eagle Rare, Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond 10-year-old bourbon, and Rebel Yell 10 year. You could pick the Jim Beam Small Batch Collection and sample Bakers, Bookers, Knob Creek, and Basil Haydens. Spicy bourbons pair well with spicy or peppery foods and strong cheese, while sweeter bourbons pair well with sweet or milder foods. It also uses a sour mash process fermented with yeast. Dont go overboard. Water is a good palate cleanser, as well as serving to open the flavor profile of bourbons. Check out our podcast, The Kim and Kalee Show, learn more about us, or send us a message!

Then add a few drops of water or even an ice cube to see how it changes. The best whiskey experiences Ive ever had were when I pulled out some awesome bottle, that I traded my soul with the devil for, and enjoyed with a handful of guys. I still remember after that Michters tasting telling a buddy I was sorry that the tasting part didnt go as I planned. Whether you're looking to host an event for 10 people or 300+, Pops' entertaining and approachable style, extensive industry knowledge, and passion for all things whiskey will make it unforgettable. You can use a different glass for each sampling or just plan on your guest rinsing out with water in between (added bonus: palate cleanser!). You may want to use distilled water (or iron-free water) to splash the bourbon or open it up the equivalent of swirling a glass of wine in our non-expert opinion. Some dominant notes will be caramel and vanilla, but see if you can identify more. You are drinking whiskey after all! It was a lot of fun, dont get me wrong, but there was no cohesiveness to it! These boards are truly delicious, and can also be crafted in such a way to make them aesthetically appealing and supplement the overall look of your classy party. There should be water to drink between tastings as well as some to add to the whiskey to open it up. I started to read about other bourbon groups around the country and came up with some ideas. If it is made in the United States or Ireland? You may be wondering, What food goes with bourbon tasting?. But that doesnt mean the lower-priced bottles are not worthy. You can always come back and pour more after the tasting but the purpose of the tasting is to learn something about the product. You have entered an incorrect email address! Weve done tasting events where I brought out all the whiskey I owned, and everyone just enjoyed what they wanted.

I am frequently asked by people I am hosting a Bourbon Tasting. It needs to be produced in Scotland to claim the title. These notes will serve as a great keepsake for your friends to remember this incredible night. To cleanse the palate between samplings, you can sniff some coffee beans. There are few things in the world that can compete with a classing bourbon tasting party with old friends. Do you feel a warmth throughout your body or more of a burn? Keep it simple and discuss openly what youre tasting. My goal today is to make sure that your first time is a lot better than mine Moving on. Charcuterie is always a good option, too. Have fun with your tasting and drink responsibly.

This will also dull down the proof and can make the experience a little less intense with the stronger flavors. Kentucky Bourbon Hall Of Fame Historian and Author. You can opt for a simple theme where youve picked the traditional bourbon made with barley, rye, and wheat. The next thing to consider is glassware. I would estimate the time allowed should be 15-20 minutes per whiskey. As long as youre enjoying whiskey with buddies, youre going to have a great, Bourbon Society of Baton Rouge (BSoBR)PO Box 14562, Baton Rouge, LA 70898 | (225) 329-5033 | David@BourbonBR.com. Others provide eye droppers for adding water. do you offer your whiskey tasting experiences in my location? Every guest should have a swig of water between different bourbons, to clear their tastebuds and be fully prepared to appreciate the next bourbon.