I just did this with my family over Thanksgiving; it was fun. One technique I picked up from tequila tasting is to take a deep breath and hold it while you take a sip, after you swallow exhale. This kind of bypasses a lot of the burn that newer drinkers might be dissuaded by and I find it helps me pick up other flavors and focus on the finish.
Julie suggested 1910 several times, but we ultimately decided to go with the more affordable options. I'm terrible at all games. I'd rather just talk to people!
Almost timely. I just had a whiskey tasting with the family (son, daughter, and spouses of each). It was not the first time. There are 4 of us who like and drink bourbon. This time I decided to mix it up and chose 3 Ryes and 1 bourbon. Michters Single Barrel (84.8 proof, could not find the 10yr), Pinhook 4yr (97 proof, based on your recommendation), & Wilderness Trail Rye (116 proof). The bourbon which we saved for the end: Belle Mead Reserve (108 proof). Hands down ‘winner’ was the Belle Meade. However, we all liked the Wilderness Trail, Pinhook less, with Michters a very disappointing last. Our next tasting will be all bourbon. I should add, I truly enjoy your videos. You two are fun to watch.
I just did a tasting one the Thanksgiving weekend with 4 of the mainstays on every store shelf. Jim Beam-White label, Jack Daniels No.7, Makers Mark, and Wild Turkey. Surprisingly...the crowd favorite was Beam White label.
I like to do a "theme" tasting. A drink through of different Michters products or the different barrel stave Maker offerings, for example. Another favorite is going through the line extentions of Knob Creek from the 9 yr up to the 15 with a couple of single barrel store picks thrown in. Its great to learn how a good whiskey producer can make its offerings better and better. Good video. Thanks.
Chocolate chips are a great idea!! I generally do a flight of 4 similar style, proof or brand. Smell each, taste each and then go in reverse order. It always help draw out different tastings in each.
Those are definitely good ideas, Steve. We prefer to have multiple whiskeys out at once, but when you have a large tasting and glassware is expensive, we go shotgun style and keep it to one at a time.
Tastings and cards go well together. Did a couple great tastings over the long Thanksgiving break along with Euchre. Have a special Stagg (George T and Jr.) tasting coming up on the 24th.
I usually hide all the decent bottles and put out the rejects. All the while searching faces for reactions, trying desperately myself to keep a straight face. Of course most if not all of my guests aren't whiskey aficianadoes. Have no clue what's good or bad. It's usually a very satisfying night. Good time had by all ... including myself.
We love keeping a very affordable, surprisingly delicious bourbon in our decanter. People love being treated. Of course, we tell them at some point that they’re drinking a $30 beauty and they like it even more because it’s accessible.
@@TheBourbonVan Very well said. And I say, the decanter makes a lovely disguise. Wish I had thought of it. Thanks for the idea. I believe I have some used 1792 bottles that can be repurposed as decanters, to be filled with bourbon remnants.
Julie, I would like to be your euchre partner, I never get to play it much. I enjoyed this video, I haven't had any tasting parties yet, but you have some of the same ideas that I have. Also, being a woodworker, when I work with oak, be it white or red, I love the aroma of it and can pick that up when nosing a Bourbon. I am planning on having a wood sample at a tasting, so people can nose both bourbon and wood to get the connection. Norman scared me when he jumped. I would be worried he might try to jump onto your shelves of bourbon.
Having a wood sample at a tasting is a great idea. One of the things we like the most is when a distillery tour gives you the chance to inspect various barrel char levels.
I think one of the most important points made was to not attempt to wow beginners with rare and allocated bottles. Somebody new to whiskey won’t fully appreciate a taste of Elmer T. Lee or an Old Fitz bottled in bond. Those type of bottles should be saved for whiskey veterans that can fully appreciate what they are tasting.
Norman is huge! You must feed him well. Are you sure it’s safe to go to sleep around there, considering that blood thirsty animal. Ha ha When he gets his own show you should make guest appearances. Thanks for a great show. Love Norman! Best, m
Great question, and it really depends on the bottle and the level of friendship. That’s a dodgy answer, but we probably wouldn’t leave a bottle of Remus Repeal VI at an acquaintance’s house, but we would leave a bottle of 1792 Full Proof. If a close friend hosted us, we’d probably leave a really good bottle for them. It also depends on how many people are tasting. If you only have 25% of a bottle left, we’d probably leave it for the hosts.
The first thing I noticed was how much darker Julie’s whiskey looked compared to Phil’s. Were you sipping two different ones, or was it just the lighting? Do you ever use a bourbon wheel at your tastings? Do you find it helpful?
Hey, Ruby! We were sipping different things. Julie had 1910 and Phil was sipping Benchmark. We use a flavor wheel occasionally with bottle reviews, but haven’t yet introduced one to our beginner tastings. We really like the idea, but some of our tastings have had 15-20 tasters and we don’t want to introduce too many elements to manage well. We think a small gathering would be a great time to introduce a flavor wheel into the mix.
Great tasting party advice with no pretension or snobbery! Thanks, this was helpful.
Great video… lots of great ideas to welcome folks to the whiskey community! Cheers!😊🥃
Thanks, Melissa! We've received so many great responses to our tastings. We just had to share.
In Michigan euchre is going to be happening. A rocks glass with a bourbon also. Cheers 🥃
New stuff is being added to the shop all the time. Go to www.thebourbonvan.com/ to see what's new.
I just did this with my family over Thanksgiving; it was fun. One technique I picked up from tequila tasting is to take a deep breath and hold it while you take a sip, after you swallow exhale. This kind of bypasses a lot of the burn that newer drinkers might be dissuaded by and I find it helps me pick up other flavors and focus on the finish.
Thanks for the tip, Brent! This is one we aren’t familiar with. We’ll give it a try.
All good information. I might sub in Woodford Double Oak or OF 1910 instead of the Russells. Plus, you have to play some cards! C'mon Man! 😁😁😁
Julie suggested 1910 several times, but we ultimately decided to go with the more affordable options. I'm terrible at all games. I'd rather just talk to people!
Almost timely. I just had a whiskey tasting with the family (son, daughter, and spouses of each). It was not the first time. There are 4 of us who like and drink bourbon. This time I decided to mix it up and chose 3 Ryes and 1 bourbon. Michters Single Barrel (84.8 proof, could not find the 10yr), Pinhook 4yr (97 proof, based on your recommendation), & Wilderness Trail Rye (116 proof). The bourbon which we saved for the end: Belle Mead Reserve (108 proof). Hands down ‘winner’ was the Belle Meade. However, we all liked the Wilderness Trail, Pinhook less, with Michters a very disappointing last. Our next tasting will be all bourbon. I should add, I truly enjoy your videos. You two are fun to watch.
Belle Meade Reserve is such a crowd pleaser. Wilderness Trail makes great whiskey. Sounds like our palates are comparable!
Excellent topical video. I dig your path and categories of bottles. Great food for thought!
Thanks, David! Cheers!
Awesome video. Thank you very much.
Excellent!
Great video ya'll and we are definitely interested in doing this with our family!!! Perfect choices 🥃
Thanks Lezlie!
Love the chocolate chips idea!!
The cheaper the better!
I just did a tasting one the Thanksgiving weekend with 4 of the mainstays on every store shelf. Jim Beam-White label, Jack Daniels No.7, Makers Mark, and Wild Turkey. Surprisingly...the crowd favorite was Beam White label.
We’ve seen folks take the lowest proof over some stellar bottles many times. Every palate is unique and always changing!
I like to do a "theme" tasting. A drink through of different Michters products or the different barrel stave Maker offerings, for example. Another favorite is going through the line extentions of Knob Creek from the 9 yr up to the 15 with a couple of single barrel store picks thrown in. Its great to learn how a good whiskey producer can make its offerings better and better. Good video. Thanks.
Chocolate chips are a great idea!! I generally do a flight of 4 similar style, proof or brand. Smell each, taste each and then go in reverse order. It always help draw out different tastings in each.
Those are definitely good ideas, Steve. We prefer to have multiple whiskeys out at once, but when you have a large tasting and glassware is expensive, we go shotgun style and keep it to one at a time.
Great video!! I’m wanting to do a tasting soon and I’ve never done one so this gave me some nice pointers
We’re glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching and commenting.
Tastings and cards go well together. Did a couple great tastings over the long Thanksgiving break along with Euchre. Have a special Stagg (George T and Jr.) tasting coming up on the 24th.
Do you have any seats available for that Stagg tasting 😆?
@@TheBourbonVan If you want to head back to Wisconsin, I will make seats at the table :)
Such a great video 👍🏻. I actually had my first friend tasting the other day. I guess it wasn’t bad but wish I had seen some of these tips 🤦🏻♂️ lol
Haha, well now you can really impress them with the next one!
OLD GRANDAD BONDED!!! Yeah, that's the way, uh-huh uh-huh, I like it!
I usually hide all the decent bottles and put out the rejects. All the while searching faces for reactions, trying desperately myself to keep a straight face. Of course most if not all of my guests aren't whiskey aficianadoes. Have no clue what's good or bad. It's usually a very satisfying night. Good time had by all ... including myself.
We love keeping a very affordable, surprisingly delicious bourbon in our decanter. People love being treated. Of course, we tell them at some point that they’re drinking a $30 beauty and they like it even more because it’s accessible.
@@TheBourbonVan Very well said. And I say, the decanter makes a lovely disguise. Wish I had thought of it. Thanks for the idea. I believe I have some used 1792 bottles that can be repurposed as decanters, to be filled with bourbon remnants.
Great video and good tips! Thought about holding a whiskey tasting but I like avoiding people. I wonder if my cats would be interested 😂
Haha, we regularly ask Norman for his tasting notes on dinner. We have yet to receive any quality feedback.
Julie, I would like to be your euchre partner, I never get to play it much. I enjoyed this video, I haven't had any tasting parties yet, but you have some of the same ideas that I have. Also, being a woodworker, when I work with oak, be it white or red, I love the aroma of it and can pick that up when nosing a Bourbon. I am planning on having a wood sample at a tasting, so people can nose both bourbon and wood to get the connection. Norman scared me when he jumped. I would be worried he might try to jump onto your shelves of bourbon.
Having a wood sample at a tasting is a great idea. One of the things we like the most is when a distillery tour gives you the chance to inspect various barrel char levels.
I think one of the most important points made was to not attempt to wow beginners with rare and allocated bottles. Somebody new to whiskey won’t fully appreciate a taste of Elmer T. Lee or an Old Fitz bottled in bond. Those type of bottles should be saved for whiskey veterans that can fully appreciate what they are tasting.
Completely agree, Tyler. Well said.
Again, Norman is ready for bed!
Norman is huge! You must feed him well. Are you sure it’s safe to go to sleep around there, considering that blood thirsty animal. Ha ha
When he gets his own show you should make guest appearances.
Thanks for a great show. Love Norman!
Best,
m
Norman is a big cat, for sure. We're trying to figure out the best way to record a Norman yule log video.
When you bring bottle to taste, are you supposed to leave it at the hosts? Or do you bring back with you.
Great question, and it really depends on the bottle and the level of friendship. That’s a dodgy answer, but we probably wouldn’t leave a bottle of Remus Repeal VI at an acquaintance’s house, but we would leave a bottle of 1792 Full Proof. If a close friend hosted us, we’d probably leave a really good bottle for them. It also depends on how many people are tasting. If you only have 25% of a bottle left, we’d probably leave it for the hosts.
....and any bourbon tasting needs a cat 🥃😺
So true! If you aren't constantly swiping loose cat hairs off your glass, are you even tasting whiskey?
Step one: Have friends.....
... damn
Haha, oh no! We're your friends, Bo! Next time we're passing through we'll have a tasting together.
What no blantons!?! 🤣🤣
The first thing I noticed was how much darker Julie’s whiskey looked compared to Phil’s. Were you sipping two different ones, or was it just the lighting?
Do you ever use a bourbon wheel at your tastings? Do you find it helpful?
Hey, Ruby! We were sipping different things. Julie had 1910 and Phil was sipping Benchmark. We use a flavor wheel occasionally with bottle reviews, but haven’t yet introduced one to our beginner tastings. We really like the idea, but some of our tastings have had 15-20 tasters and we don’t want to introduce too many elements to manage well. We think a small gathering would be a great time to introduce a flavor wheel into the mix.