Whisky tasting – the perfect virtual stag do

Organising a stag do?

Unfortunately, you won’t be going on a lad’s weekend or tying your mate to a lamppost any time soon (thanks COVID!). But that doesn’t mean all antics have to be cancelled. The last 12 months has seen a huge rise in virtual stag dos, with many groups using video call platforms to get everyone together and enjoy the groom’s last night of freedom – even if it is from the confines of home.

It’s the perfect solution.

There’s no government restrictions to abide by and no limit to how many people you can invite. You just need a date that works for everyone, a good playlist, and a couple of fun stag do activities. And if your lucky stag is a fan of whisky, a whisky tasting session could be the perfect option.

Sure, this is one for the men – not the boys! But it’s a great way to pour a toast to your friend, wish him all the best for the future, and enjoy some refined (albeit alcohol-fuelled) stag do fun.

This is a really easy virtual stag do idea to organise:

The first step is to pick 3-5 suitable whiskies. Whilst it’s possible to do this yourself, and ask everyone to buy the same bottles, it can become a very time-consuming and costly task – particularly if you’re new to the world of whisky. A much more convenient option is to select a pre-made whisky tasting set, such as those available at the Whisky Tasting Company.

We have various options that would be perfect for a virtual stag do – including the Single Malt Whisky Tasting Set. This is a box of crowd-pleasers. Something that everyone at the party can enjoy, whether they’re an absolute whisky beginner or a self-confessed whisky fanatic. And available for just £29.99, it’s a reasonable price for people to pay.

Alternatively, if you’re a group of seasoned whisky drinkers – and this isn’t your first tasting rodeo – you may prefer either our Premium Scotch or Old and Rare Scotch Whisky Tasting Sets. These are slightly more expensive, priced at £33.95 and £66.40, respectively. But they’re a fantastic way to sample some unique whiskies and are guaranteed to make the night one to remember.

Whichever option you go for, the set will contain five 30ml measures; just enough to sample the delicious taste of each (without the expense of a full bottle!). And if you wish, you can even personalise the gift box with a thoughtful message to the groom.

Once your whisky tasting sets have been ordered, the next step is sort to out the logistics. When is it happening? And what video call tool will you use? Whilst a small platform (e.g. Houseparty) is great for small groups, a larger platform – such as Zoom or Skype – will be needed if you’re hosting more than 50 stags.

Is there going to be a theme? Perhaps send out an invite and ask everyone to wear the same colour? Or ditch the lockdown loungewear in favour of a smart suit for the night? After all, just because it’s a virtual stag do, doesn’t mean you can’t get dressed up for the occasion and look the part.

When the night rolls around, simply open the box and enjoy each whisky one by one.

Nobody will expect you to suddenly be a whisky boffin. And there’s no need to research the whiskies beforehand or taste them before the party. The set itself comes with a series of tasting cards, with interesting facts about the whisky and its distillery – as well as the key flavours to look out for. You even get a luxury tasting mat, to place down your glass and make a few notes.

So, just relax and enjoy the drinks. Let everyone read the cards and chat amongst themselves about the taste of each – and try to keep the whisky tasting as fun and informal as possible!

Let’s face it, a virtual stag do probably wouldn’t be the groom’s first choice. But we’re living through unprecedented times. Online whisky tasting is a great way to salvage the situation. And if you’ve been given the responsibility of organising a stag party for the groom, we’re here to help.

No order is ever too big or too small. We can cater for both a close group of friends and a large herd of 100 stags or more. If you’ve left things to the last minute, we offer a very quick turnaround, with whisky tasting sets from our core range typically being delivered within 2-4 days. And we’re always open to specific requests and personalisations to make the occasion as special as possible.

So, if you have any questions, or would like a little advice on how to host the perfect whisky tasting evening, please feel free to get in touch. You can either give us a call 01743 247220 to chat with a member of the team. Or send us an online message and we’ll respond as soon as possible.