T – as in organizing a tasting

How many people are ideal for hosting a whisky tasting?

There are no hard and fast rules. Whether you're alone or with several friends, it's irrelevant for a tasting evening.

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What should you consider for a successful whisky tasting?

First, you need a suitable glass, ideally a tulip-shaped nosing glass. It's advisable to provide as many glasses as whiskies you intend to taste. Nevertheless, even a single glass is sufficient for the tasting evening. You should just rinse it with water in between to remove the aromas of each spirit from the glass.

Do you need to pay attention to the order of the whiskies?

Yes. When tasting several whiskies in one evening, it's advisable to follow a well-thought-out order. It's recommended to start with the non-smoky varieties and then gradually work your way up to the smokier whiskies. If the whiskies have different alcohol contents, you should taste them in ascending order of percentages. This creates a harmonious sequence, and each whisky receives the attention it deserves.

How many whiskies are necessary for a tasting?

Again, there are no fixed rules, but a tasting with up to six whiskies is sensible. Our Brand Ambassador Christoph Albietz usually presents a maximum of six whiskies during a tasting evening. No more!

Should you provide water for the tasting?

Absolutely! It's advisable to drink water between each whisky. This not only neutralizes the palate but also compensates for the fluid loss the body experiences due to alcohol consumption.

Is it okay to offer food during the tasting?

Of course! You can either eat something before the tasting to create a solid foundation, or serve a meal after the whisky tasting, as alcohol stimulates appetite. Alternatively, suitable food can be served with the respective whiskies, where you can easily orient yourself by the aromas of the whisky. Our Brand Ambassador, for example, recommends a grilled steak as an accompaniment to a smoky whisky.

How can you reduce the alcohol content of a whisky?

If you want to dilute a whisky with water, this can be done with a pipette. If no pipette is available, a simple coffee spoon will also help. It allows for good control over the amount of water added to the whisky.

How does our Brand Ambassador conclude his whisky tastings?

For Christoph Albietz, the premium liqueurs from St. Kilian Distillers, based on new make or single malt whisky, form the crowning conclusion of a successful tasting. Slàinte.