A Plinth Worthy of The Pour:

What can make a whisky tasting memorable and why it’s rarely just the whisky

There’s so much more to a whisky tasting than a dram in a glass. Or at least, there can be. We’ve been to a lot of distilleries and tasting events over the years and the ones that stand out, are the ones that have truly created a sense of occasion around the dram.

This doesn’t have to mean extravagance, more often, it’s about attention to detail. The kind that can feel like grandeur when done right. The room, the settings and the overall ambience have an impact on the experience. Simple yet thoughtful touches really can go a long way. A stunning board (nudge nudge!) rather than a laminated placemat. Glass pipettes over plastic ones. The right background music. Beautifully presented tasting accompaniments, anything from charcuterie to truffles chosen to elevate the whisky, not distract from it.

A key element must be mentioned, the Host! We’ve been to many tastings where it’s the host — more than anything else — who lifted the entire experience. The kind of person who clearly loves what they do, who brings warmth and genuine passion to the room. That energy is contagious. (We’ve also been to many that have absolutely looked the part, but had no spark and it was palpable. No matter how beautiful the setup, it’s the human connection that brings it to life).

Many of these things don’t require huge expense, but they do require some investment and care. The return means you have every single person who attended that tasting walking away as an ambassador for your brand, which is absolute marketing gold! But more importantly, it’s a joy to be a part of.

If you would like us to create you custom boards for your tasting events, we’d love to chat! Please get in touch via our Contact Us page.

Photo’s by Matthias Kremer Photography