#WhiskyPhTip. Curating a Whisky Flight.

I’ve been hosting some whisky tastings for my non-whisky drinking friends recently. Just small events where I share my bottles, #whisky trivia, and hopefully my enthusiasm for the water of life. It’s been really fun for me.

In hosting a tasting, the first step is to decide on the whisky flight to be served.

What is a whisky flight? A #WhiskyFlight is practically a tasting set that allows one to try different whiskies side by side. Setting up a flight requires two essential things that help make it easy for your guests to make comparisons: 1. Different types of whisky and 2. Good glassware, preferably of the same type.

You need to assess your audience to decide which drams to include since experienced drinkers can probably take high abv whiskies better, while water dilution may be essential for non-drinkers.

I’ve heard advice that if you want to get your friends into whisky you can try to ease them in. Some go for approachable familiar whiskies with the goal of allowing your guests to identify subtle differences. This could look like a #JohnnieWalker Black, #Glenlivet 12yo, #Glenfiddich 12yo & #Glenmorangie 10yo.

I like to take a different approach. Since I’ll never know if my non-whisky drinking friends would try #whiskey again after our session, my goal is to introduce them to whisky’s boldest flavors while talking about as many whisky concepts as possible.

So I feel like my flights should always have a delicate/floral/fruity whisky; a sherry matured one; a #peated one; a #BlendedWhisky; a #SingleMalt; a younger whisky; and an older one. Then it would be better if there are other categories/countries represented. #SingleCask and #IndependentBottling whiskies are also welcome.

My current lineup is
- #Nikka Session
- #Glenfarclas 105
- #Laphroaig 10yo
- #SMWS G7.15 34yo

I like to start with the most approachable one then have the guests compare it with the sherry. I then shock them with peat before ending with something regal and refined.

Surprisingly, the crowd favorite so far has been the peated whisky, closely followed by the old and dignified 34yo.

What do you include in your whisky flights?🥃

Image Courtesy of @WhiskyPH

@WhiskyPH

At its core, whisky appreciation is an exercise in memory. Notes of a whisky enthusiast in the Philippines. 🥃🇵🇭