Hosting a Tasting

Last week I hosted my annual Christmas Scotch tasting.

This is an invite only event for 10 or so of my personal friends. Most of these guys are NOT Scotch drinkers, but are fans of alcohol in general and are always looking to learn new things.

In an informal tasting I generally offer some chocolate and shortbread to go along with each whisky. The chocolate is generally Dove and the shortbread is always Walkers. In a tutored tasting, the snacks are offered after we finish the flight of whisky. I make note of what I offered with each whisky below.

Chocolate chip cookies are always available.

This year I presented six whiskies in the following order. (Remember, when hosting your own tasting, always present the whisky by flavor, from lightest to strongest/more complex):

Compass Box Orangerie - This wasn't really part of the tutored tasting, I just wanted everyone to try this excellent beverage. I also didn't want to wait until the end when people's olfactory nerves and taste buds might not fully appreciate the sublime flavor of this once a year beauty. The Orangerie was offered with orange flavored chocolate - you know the one - the orange-shaped ball of chocolate that you whack and it separates into wedges. Good combo.

Bruichladdich 10 - This is what I use to show people that not all Islays are peaty and smoky. The Bruichladdich 10 is light and floral - and perhaps a little young for a 10. Shortbread was offered with the Bruichladdich.

Johnnie Walker Green - We switched gears a bit and I pulled out what I think is a very fine example of a mass market blended malt. Most of the guys, whose experience is limited to JW Red or Black label, were very much surprised by this -- as was I when I first tried it. Served with shortbread and milk chocolate.

Glenfarclas 12 - All things being equal, given a choice between a Macallan 12 and a Glenfarclas 12, I'll take the Glenfarclas. Keep in mind, that I REALLY like the Macallan, but the Glenfarclas is a special treat - It's Macallan's rough-edged cousin. It has all the sherried goodness, but a bite that I enjoy. Dark chocolate.

Bowmore 12 - "The Islay Malt" - Bowmore has the smoke and peat that people expect from an Islay, but is much more even-tempered than a Laphroaig, Lagavulin or Ardbeg. As such, it makes a great introduction to the stronger Islays and is a fine dram in its own right. Served with shortbread and dark chocolate.

Laphroaig 10 year old Cask Strength -  I love this stuff. And I am a kind and generous man for offering it to my guests. Delicious, smoky, peaty. Serve with anything.

The consensus

Everything went over very well...even the rank novices followed the flight and could differentiate distinct differences among all six whiskies -- but the consensus was that for the price ($40) and the taste, the Bowmore 12 couldn't be beat, and it will likely be a new addition to quite a few liquor cabinets as a result.

Here's a parlor trick you can use at your next tasting. This is particularly useful for novices who can't detect anything in the nose other than "whisky."

1. Have your guests hold the tasting glass in one hand, while completely covering the mouth of the glass with their other hand.
2. Then instruct them to vigorously swirl/shake the glass. The palm of their hand should get wet - this has the benefit of aerating the heck out of the whisky.
3. Have them put down the glass and rub the palms of their hands together - this should be done quickly to generate a little heat and cause the whisky to evaporate.
4. Have them immediately cup their hands and place them over their nose and mouth. They should then take a deep whiff.

They should now be able to detect some of the more distinct "non-whisky" aspects of the nose. Plus, it is quite entertaining to see a group of people do this.

The tasting was also a great socialization test for Elsa, the wonder dog, who has never been exposed to that many people in a confined space at once. It's important for large dogs to have proper socialization - she just turned 7 months and is pushing 60 lbs - and rather than ripping out the throats of my guests (which would have been frowned upon),  she spent the majority of the tasting laying at my feet to protect me from all the drunks. Or was it to lap up any inadvertent spills? Either way, good dog! 
-----------------------------------------

I wanted to let everyone know that www.whiskynews.com now redirects to The Scotch Blog.
Strom was too busy to keep the site up and running with the frequency he would have liked. He kindly donated the URL to me, and for that I am immensely grateful!

Comments

[angelina]

Bravo!

such a cute puppy!!

[Mark Taylor]

I've been busy and haven't seen my last comment about Balvenie's two different 17 year old Single Malts last year. You were busting me about not being aged in a bourbon case and finished in a sherry case, but there was one that was last year. I guess you never heard of that one. So you are still welcome to stop by and have a dram with me, remember I'm buying.

[Kevin Erskine]

Hi Mark,
This is a random comment.
I remember you posting comments about Sherry & Bourbon. And me pointing out you were incorrect. But that certainly had nothing to do with a 2 year old story on tasting.