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! This can be enhanced against light source or white paper. I still remember after that Michters tasting telling a buddy I was sorry that the tasting part didnt go as I planned. You dont need new glass for each new bourbon you taste, simply rinse out each glass with water before moving onto the next flavor! In the U.S. there are minimum requirements to classify as a rye whiskey, Canadian rye whisky does not specify. Preferably, you will have bottled water to serve to your guests. We know it can get a little boring heading to the same spots in your hometown, especially towards the end of summer break. 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! (Side note, bourbon is always and at least 51% corn. Have plenty of sniffers, Glencairns, rock glasses, or even plastic cups available. Rye whiskey uses rye or a mixture or rye and malt. All rights reserved. Many sweet foods pair very well with all types of bourbon. Enjoy 4+ whiskeys that have been chosen based on your and your guests preferences & knowledge of whiskey. Each pour should be about a half ounce of bourbon. We use cookies (soaked in whiskey) to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Site Credits.Branding by Melissa Rose Design.Development by Once Coupled.
For our tasting of 3 whiskeys and 3 people, we needed 9 glasses. 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. Im throwing that out there and you know what, its the truth! Step Six: Provide some food for comparison. Water is a good palate cleanser, as well as serving to open the flavor profile of bourbons. 11467 W I-70 Frontage Rd North Stay away from fried foods, rich flavors or too much cheese (this isnt wine tasting, after all). Swirl the glass gently. I hope you enjoy your tasting. what do i need to do to reserve a date for my whiskey tasting experience? The amber liquid looks like a late summer sunset, smells of oak, and feels like a warm hug. Some of our go-to, sitting around the campfire sippers are in the lower bracket. When doing a tasting, the most important thing to do correctly is pick a theme. With that said, you can also free pour if you and your guests are looking for a laid-back vibe! Why not invite all your friends over for a lovely evening of bourbon tasting? What does that even mean?!? Make sure to have full pitchers around for refills! Let us help you make your next event unforgettable. 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. So, the one thing we did right was choose a correct theme. I would suggest dried fruits, fresh fruits, cheeses, country ham or other similar meats, olives and chocolates of several styles. Guests can enjoy a variety of whiskeys offered from one or more bars setup throughout your event. This will ensure that everybody will get enough bourbon without getting too much. 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. 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. You can go one bottle at a time and then share your thoughts on that bottle together. Step One: Pick a theme for the tasting. Every state has a different set of laws addressing the purchase of vintage spirits. This is the experience after swallowing. Terms of Service. Click below and we'll be happy to explain everything to you. Sometimes, people just get too pretentious when it comes to bourbon. What textures and flavors remain in your mouth? 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. Patience is a virtue, you must be patient and give each glass of bourbon the time to expose its full flavor profile in order to make the most of your bourbon tasting party! 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. It is whiskey. Stay away from fried foods, rich flavors or too much cheese (this isnt wine tasting, after all). I am saying this with a group of 6-12 tasters in mind but it could be longer for bigger groups. Copyright 2021 Bourbon & Banter, LLC. Of course, you want to keep your at-home bourbon tasting party safe!
The second rule is to limit your bourbon selection to between four and six barrels.
You can always come back and pour more after the tasting but the purpose of the tasting is to learn something about the product. All bourbon is whiskey, but there are different types like scotch or rye vs wheat whiskey. For our bourbon tasting, we kept things easy. You could pick the Jim Beam Small Batch Collection and sample Bakers, Bookers, Knob Creek, and Basil Haydens. Id say 15-20 minutes was taken with each whiskey, but as the host you can tailor the event to your preferences too!
Charcuterie is always a good option, too. A way to quickly class up your party is by laying out a nice charcuterie board. You can pick several different offerings from the same distillery. 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. Still have questions? It also uses a sour mash process fermented with yeast. Spicy bourbons pair well with spicy or peppery foods and strong cheese, while sweeter bourbons pair well with sweet or milder foods. Its really impressive how different the flavor profile can be with a little bit of water. She is a full time Physician Assistant in plastic and reconstructive surgery and loves cooking (but not baking), reading and black coffee. Be responsible and dont let your guests drink and drive. You may be wondering, What food goes with bourbon tasting?. 
Food will coat the stomach, slowing the absorption of alcohol. 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. When you finally take a sip you want to really. In order to be called bourbon it needs to be made in the United States. The key now is to do the pouring correctly! I am glad you liked it. Then you could choose Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, 1792 Full Proof, and EHT Barrel Proof. Also, it never hurts to mix in water when drinking alcohol! Perhaps the only more universally beloved thing is get-togethers with good friends. My buddy Jacob and I hosted our very first bourbon tasting on May 30th, 2015. Bourbon & Banter recommends that a tasting include at least four whiskeys to provide an enjoyable experience or your guests. So it just depends on your group of friends getting together. The key is to choose bourbons/whiskies that have a common theme that you can connect back together. 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. Hosted in a seated setting, a Classic Tasting is perfect for an in-home event, a standalone corporate tasting, or integrated into a larger corporate event. Depending on team availability within your location, additional costs for travel and lodging may apply. It seemed like first and foremost, we would get together every so often and drink bourbon, obviously. will my whiskey tasting experience really be that memorable? Larger private tastings and corporate event duration is highly dependent on the format of the event, number of guests in attendance, and additional options included in the over all tasting experience. Rocky Mountain Barrel Company offers the greatest used barrels and the best service to the customers. Everyone should be over 21 years old and needs to be responsible. Part of the fun of a bourbon tasting is noting what you like or dislike about each one! Light yellow or deep brown? Thats all. Weve included a few ideas for pairing below. That means you are all tasting a group of whiskies that fit together. Below, youll find some of our recommendations at three different price points. 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. It needs to be produced in Scotland to claim the title. 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. That is what its all about, after all. Just because the Bourbon is in the glass doesnt mean they have to drink it all in one taste. Water: When tasting, its recommended to have a second sip with a few drops of water to open up the aroma. This theme in this sense is not for what costumes people are going to wear to your bourbon tasting party. Keep it simple and discuss openly what youre tasting. Bourbon was first produced in Kentucky and uses over half of the mash from corn. 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. If you follow these simple steps your Bourbon tasting should be a success. Enjoy an evening of whiskey paired with a gourmet meal that will surprise and delight your guests. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. Consider doing the tasting at the beginning of the night and then showing a movie or watching a sports game after. If you are a social butterfly and must invite more than 10 people to your bourbon-tasting, try to maintain this four-to-six bottle per ten people ratio. We cannot impress upon you enough the importance of having fun! Limit the tasting itself to three or four Bourbons and make the pours small about a half an ounce each. I often use a straw to take water from my drinking water or use the cap on a bottled water to control the water I am adding to the Bourbon. This can be a simple theme like styles of Bourbons with a traditional Bourbon made with rye, a Bourbon made with wheat and a Tennessee whiskey for comparison. Below, youll find some of our recommendations at three different price points. Kentucky Distilleries Map by Chuck Cowdery, Hire A Bourbon Whiskey ExpertFor Your Next Event, Hire A Bourbon Whiskey Expert For Your Next Event. Im thrilled that your palate is so advanced that you can taste 27 different and unique flavors in every whiskey you sample! Make a Simple 4th of July Charcuterie Board, Memorial Day Weekend Cookout Recipes to Feed a Crowd, 100 Day Trips for Detroit Families to Take This Summer, Metro Detroit Summer Activities from A to Z, Ice Cream Experiences You Have to Have In + Around Detroit, Guide to Farmers Markets In + Around Detroit, 13 Affordable Family Summer Memberships in + Around Detroit, Jeffersons Reserve Very Old Very Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey. Filed Under: Reflections Tagged With: fun. To cleanse the palate between samplings, you can sniff some coffee beans. Every guest should have a swig of water between different bourbons, to clear their tastebuds and be fully prepared to appreciate the next bourbon. 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. Youll want to decide on a theme like Tennessee whiskeys, traditional bourbon made with rye, or bourbons of the same age or proof. If these options arent available, your local liquor store should be able to recommend a substitution. We used a straw to add it in. Keep your lips open and inhale above the opening of the glass. Well thats the best advice I can give for how to host a bourbon tasting. That was a fair question from the lady and I honestly had no idea. Rather, you must decide on the bourbon theme you are going to showcase at your party. 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. I told her Id get back to her and immediately started the google machine. Weve included a few ideas for pairing below. These are just a few of the more popular Whiskey Tasting Experience themes we offer our clients (mouse-over for more details). I texted my buddy Jacob and we were sold. Whiskey Dinners are a great way to celebrate your team's success, entertain clients, or raise money for your favorite charity. 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 corporate whiskey tastings, industry events and has been featured in media publications such as American Whiskey Magazine, AskMen.com, and Thrillist. 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. 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!).
Enter your email address to follow bourbonveach.com and receive notifications of new posts by email. What about doing similarly aged whiskies? Copyright 2022 Kim and Kalee. I had just watched this documentary about Bourbon, and they were interviewing the president of the Los Angeles Bourbon Society and I thought to myself, well if LA has one than Baton Rouge definitely needs one! A swish of water or some crackers can help, too. A typical in-home tasting will last up to two hours depending on the size of your guest list. We forget that whiskey is meant to be consumed and enjoyed with friends. Bourbon is a whiskey. We decided to do an at home bourbon tasting party one night after looking for events that hosted them. Each Whiskey Tasting Experience includes the following: Food is not included in the cost of your whiskey tasting.
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 continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. How many whiskeys are included in a tasting experience? This will also dull down the proof and can make the experience a little less intense with the stronger flavors. Learn how your comment data is processed. Drop us a line or give us a call today at 314.669.1792 and we'll be happy to explain everything to you. . Comparing all of these is a good start. At any classy bourbon tasting event, certain standards must be maintained. As the host, you need to make sure no one is drinking and driving.
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. Do you feel a warmth throughout your body or more of a burn? Snacks: A tasting isnt complete without some eats! Second most important thing is to not get lost in the whiskey descriptors! Were mother-daughter lifestyle influencers living in Nashville, sharing tips on mindset, entrepreneurship, healthy living & traveling. In that case, set your age at 10 years and try to get the ones that are closest to that. 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. For over a decade, Pops' passion for all things whiskey has made Bourbon & Banter the top destination for bourbon and whiskey lovers who appreciate his honest and down-to-earth approach. If these options arent available, your local liquor store should be able to recommend a substitution. A signed contract and 50% service fee deposit is required to formally reserve a date for your tasting event. Move it around your mouth and chew a little bit letting it coat your tongue. Corporate Whiskey Tasting Experience page, In-home Parties (birthdays, anniversaries, block parties), Private Whiskey Bar (weddings, engagement parties, retirement parties), Pre-event planning consultation by phone & email, Curation of the event's whiskeys based on your preferences, Coordination of liquor procurement for your event, Tasting mat customized for your event featuring Bourbon & Banter's flavor wheel (plus additional educational materials as needed), Food pairing recommendations for your event's whiskey selection, A whiskey expert at your event to lead the tasting, provide whiskey education, and answer questions from your guests, Opportunity to enjoy additional whiskey samples following the formal presentation while supplies last (any remaining whiskey is yours to keep), Bragging rights for hosting the best event of the year. I started to read about other bourbon groups around the country and came up with some ideas. You can opt for a simple theme where youve picked the traditional bourbon made with barley, rye, and wheat. You may also want a measuring utensil to make sure everyone has exactly 1.5 ounces of each sample.
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. bourbon tasting party, how to host a bourbon tasting. 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.) are you able to provide vintage whiskeys for our event? 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.
The key is that we focused on some of Michters whiskies. Food will coat the stomach, slowing the absorption of alcohol. I had wrote down all the tedious notes and going over everything for ten minutes before each pour was a buzzkill.
You could choose Makers Mark, Larceny, and Rebel Yell Bourbon. Remember to pick a theme, come up with easy and simple descriptors, start off uniformly and have a good time! After the first sip, you can introduce a few drops of water and repeat the process. He laughed and said that he still had a great time because he was with our friends and he thoroughly enjoyed the bourbon!
You could pick Eagle Rare, Henry McKenna Bottled in Bond 10-year-old bourbon, and Rebel Yell 10 year. A longer finish will linger on while a short finish will go away fast. Let me know how it comes out. The number of whiskeys will vary according to your preferences and budget. We sent out the bat signal last week asking people what they wanted to read about and one of the most interesting things we got back was How to host a bourbon tasting party. They were very excited about bourbon at first then said something to the extent of I really love bourbon, but I dont get all those same tastes that some people get out of bourbon. I immediately told them that it was fine and to just enjoy bourbon the way you want to and ignore all those stupid reviewers. There are many things that must be considered and planned for before the big night arrives. As the world returns to normal, people are eager to get back together. While experienced tasters will recommend distilled water with an eyedropper, a water glass and teaspoon at every place setting is perfect. Sometimes, us drinker/collectors, myself included, forget what this game is all about. Use the same. When it comes to tasting, especially in a group setting, keep it simple! 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! thanks. While bottles of ros go hand in hand with sun-drenched days and poolside boomerangs, I find that crisp fall days can only be matched by a slow sip of bourbon. Stick to the classics, vanilla, caramel, oak, and tobacco. There are few things in the world that can compete with a classing bourbon tasting party with old friends. Then add a few drops of water or even an ice cube to see how it changes. Bourbon & Banter is headquartered in St. Louis, MO but is able to provide our services across the United States, and internationally upon request.
Do all guests have to be 21 years of age? You have entered an incorrect email address! A tasting isnt complete without some eats! Let it be fun and delicious and dont take it too seriously! Kentucky Bourbon Hall Of Fame Historian and Author. 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. You dont have to have all of these but two or three are good to use in the tasting. If you wanted to go with the sweeter side of bourbon, choose a wheated bourbon tasting. 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. Is the bourbon clear or cloudy? When tasting, its recommended to have a second sip with a few drops of water to open up the aroma. You are drinking whiskey after all! 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. The shopping list is less complex than the history of the drink. 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. 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. Furthermore, the curved nature of the glass makes it perfect for swirling your delicious beverage. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Dont go overboard. Yes, all guests must be at least 21 years of age to attend a Bourbon & Banter Whiskey Tasting Experience. Details related to this service will be discussed in advance and properly documented in our service contract for your review and approval. Side Note: Youre going to want to send out classy invitations to your bourbon tasting party! Glasses: You can use any glasses you have around.