T – like organise tasting

How many people are ideal for a whisky tasting?

There are no fixed rules. Whether you are alone or sitting together with several friends is irrelevant for a tasting evening.

What should you bear in mind for a successful whisky tasting?

Firstly, you need a suitable glass, ideally a tulip-shaped nosing glass. It is advisable to provide as many glasses as there are whiskies to be tasted. Nevertheless, a single glass is enough for the tasting evening. You should only rinse with water from time to time to remove the flavours of the respective spirit from the glass.

Is there anything to consider when ordering the whiskies?

Yes. When tasting several whiskies in the evening, it is advisable to follow a well thought-out sequence. It is advisable 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, they should be tasted according to ascending percentages. In this way, a harmonious sequence is created and each whisky is given the attention it deserves.

How many whiskies are needed for a tasting?

There are no fixed rules here either, but a tasting with up to six whiskies to be savoured makes sense. Our brand ambassador Christoph Albietz usually presents a maximum of six whiskies at a tasting evening. Not any more!

Should you serve water for tasting?

In any case! It is advisable to drink water between each whisky. This not only serves to neutralise the oral mucosa, but also compensates for the loss of fluids that the body experiences through alcohol consumption.

Can you offer food at 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 has an appetising effect. Alternatively, matching food can also be served with the respective whiskies, whereby the flavours of the whisky can be used as a guide. For example, our brand ambassador recommends a grilled steak to accompany 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 using a pipette. If a pipette is not available, a simple coffee spoon can also be used. It can also be used to dose the amount of water added to the whisky.

How does our brand ambassador finish his whisky tastings?

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