Top Tips for Whisky Tasting at Home

If you’re looking for new ways to have fun indoors and spend less money in the new year, then whisky tasting at home is the perfect activity. 

This is a great way to get your friends together for a wholesome night or enjoy exploring new flavours and whisky types alone. But a whisky-tasting experience at home is only as good as you make it. 

With our top tips for whisky tasting at home, we promise an experience to remember! So, stick with us to get the most out of whisky tasting and deepen your appreciation for this delicious alcoholic beverage.

Selecting Your Whiskies

Now, this part is totally up to you, depending on your tastes and preferences. However, we’d suggest reaching for a whisky you’ve never tried before to expand your palette. 

To help you choose, we’ve split up each whisky into the common types of origin:

1. Scotch whisky (Highland, Islay, Speyside): These have distinctive characteristics, ranging from smoky and peaty blends to light and fruity profiles.
2. Irish whisky: These are often triple-distilled, resulting in a creamy texture with vanilla and fruity flavours. 
3. USA: Their bourbon and Tennesse whisky bring bold, sweet, and oaky flavours.
4. Japan: Japanese whisky is inspired by Scottish whisky, with its delicate and refined flavours. 

If you’re looking for something more mature and complex, opt for older whiskies or whiskies aged in barrels for longer. Some great picks include sherry, bourbon, or wine casks. It’s also best to stick to what you can afford so you don’t overspend on something you might not end up liking. 

For this, we suggest investing in miniature whisky-tasting kits. This allows you to dip your toes into different regions and ages of whisky without overdoing it. If you’re new to whisky, opt for our world whisky set to explore different whiskies from across the globe.

Gathering Essential Supplies

When whisky tasting at home, it’s important to gather the following items to ensure a fun and smooth experience for all.

1. Glassware

It goes without saying that glassware is needed for any tasting session. But, when it comes to whisky, the type of glass you choose plays a key role.

• Glencairn glasses: These feature a tulip-shaped design that enhances the aroma and taste perception of any whisky.
• Copita nosing glass: This is taller and thinner than the Glencairn and is best used for in-depth nosing during tasting. It also includes a stem to prevent your hand from warming up the liquid.
• Old-fashioned glass (rocks glass): This is a popular choice for casual drinking due to its short and thick base.
• Whisky tumbler: Often used in informal settings, a tumbler is best for sipping whisky neat and features a straight, simple design.

2. A Glass of Water

Water is essential when whisky tasting. When added to a glass of whisky, it can open the aromas, allowing subtle notes to rise to the surface. 

It can also enhance the flavour, adding depth or softening the burn for cask-strength whiskies. We suggest sipping the water neat at first, then adding a drop or two of water to notice the shift. Droppers are a great way to control the amount of water you add.

3. Tasting Notes and Cards

No whisky-tasting session is complete without tasting cards and notes. 

Luckily for you, our whisky sets come prepared with a tasting mat and cards, so you don’t have to lift a finger! If you’ve already prepared your own whisky, you can purchase tasting cards separately or create your own. 

We recommend adding these sections:

• Appearance (colour, clarity, legs)
• Aroma 
• Taste
• Texture (mouthfeel)

Setting the Scene

Creating the right ambience can greatly impact the atmosphere and set the mood for the tasting session. 

Choose a comfortable location, such as a kitchen table, living room, or home bar. For a cosy atmosphere, dim the lights and add soft jazz music in the background. If you’re after a party vibe, maybe add some multi-coloured strip lights and upbeat music.

To avoid overpowering smells that will impact the whisky’s aromas, remove candles, flowers, or cooking smells. Then, you can set up the table with your tasting mats and cards, whisky flight boards, and glasses. 

The Tasting Process

To ensure you get the most out of each tasting process, follow our easy guidelines below.

1. Observation: Examine the colour of each whisky to find hints of its age. Check whether the clarity is clear or cloudy. Lighter hues indicate younger whiskies, and unfiltered whiskies may appear hazy. 
2. Nosing: Bring the glass to your nose and gently inhale to notice any sudden aromas. Avoid swirling the content, as this releases the alcohol. To notice different layers of aroma, hold the glass at varied distances from your nose.
3. Tasting: Start by taking a small sip, allowing the whisky to coat your palate. Don’t swallow too soon. Instead, allow the flavours to slowly develop. Then, add water to uncover hidden flavours.
4. Mouthfeel: When tasting, note down whether the whisky feels light, medium, or full-bodied and identify its texture. Does it feel creamy, oily, dry, or smooth?
5. Last taste: Notice how long the flavours stay in your mouth after swallowing and if any new flavours emerge in the aftertaste.

Enhancing the Experience

To make the experience that much sweeter, add a few food pairings to the mix. Cheesboards consisting of cheddar or aged gouda pair well with smoky and rich whiskies. 

Dark chocolate and fruits are also great for eating alongside whisky tasting. We suggest choosing pears or figs and nuts such as almonds or walnuts. For something a bit more filling, opt for smoked salmon or cured meats as a thoughtful touch.

Using whisky stones is a great way to keep your drink cool without diluting its flavour. 

Uncover New Flavours at Home with Whisky Tasting Company

Your next whisky adventure is just a sip away. Dive into our exclusive range of whisky-tasting sets at Whisky Tasting Company and bring the magic of the distillery to your doorstep.

From classic whisky gift sets to old and rare Scotch whiskies, there’s an abundance of new variations that are waiting for you! 

We hope you have a lovely time celebrating the complexity of whisky with your friends and family from the comfort of your home.