As the sun sets sooner and the heat takes a hiatus (at last), it’s time to break out the bourbon.
Perhaps it’s the association with my husband’s childhood home, where winter visits are welcomed with a blazing fire and neat pour of fine whiskey by my father-in-law. Over the years, my occasional taste here or there would evolve into a request for an old fashioned — with an extra luxardo cherry, of course — before our home-cooked meal.
The cozy factor of Tennessee whiskey is inevitable, which is why a whiskey tasting party is the perfect fall or winter activity for your next at home gathering. Guests are welcome to bring a bottle to pass around and critique, or you can explore the differentiated qualities of Old Dominick’s selections. Scroll for a few takeaways to take the art of whiskey to a new level.
SET YOUR LINEUP
Determine which 3-5 whiskeys will comprise your whiskey tasting company. Stage the bottles for your centerpiece, showcasing the labels and varieties.
Our whiskey tasting party features three of Old Dominick’s whiskeys, modeled as an homage to the whiskeys of 1866 Memphis by Domenico Canale, the patriarch of the Old Dominick family:
Huling Station Straight Bourbon: Huling Station Straight Bourbon opens with stone fruit, dark cherries, and creamy vanilla with a wisp of rye spice on the nose. The palate hints at cinnamon and rich caramel, as dry, subtle notes of pipe tobacco and velvety dark chocolate round out the finish.
Huling Station Blend: Huling Station Blend of Straight Whiskeys features a slight wisp of warm baking spices on the nose, complemented by a hint of smoky oak. The palate offers up a creamy, warmed honey sweetness with short bursts of a pleasing grassy note that tapers into a rye warmth to go with its slightly higher proof. The finish is lingering and peppery with another appearance by the smoked oak to close it out.
Huling Station Straight Wheat: Huling Station Straight Wheat Whiskey opens with a light, sweet honey and a delicate grassy indication on the nose. The palate carries a hay-forward lightness with hints of the same pale honey featured in the nose, bookended by a surprising flash of smoked oak before settling into a medium, lightly-sweet finish.
POUR LIGHT
You will not be judged for being frugal — pouring small samples will allow you to offer your guests more variety without comprising comprehension of the tasting. Use a shot glass to help measure for accuracy — not to kick back! Once the tasting concludes, guests are welcome to choose their favorite to refill and sip on throughout the evening.
TAKE NOTE
Set each guest’s spot with a guide for note-taking. I love these tasting papers that accommodate glass position and accompanying prose (these sheets work for wine, coffee, even cheese, too!). Ask your guests to write up the aroma, taste, finish and final score of each whiskey.
CLEANSE THE PALATE
Food brings out the flavor of whiskey even further and offers endless experimentation! Light bites keep guests on their toes without overwhelming the palate. Balance is key.
You can’t ever go wrong with dried fruits and nuts: Nuts such as candied pecans, pistachios, and Marcona almonds go well with strong whiskeys, while roasted nuts pair best with smoky whiskeys. Salted caramels and rich dark chocolates enhance the vanilla or creamy notes of the whiskeys on your lineup. Buttery and salty aged cheeses marry beautifully with aged whiskeys.
When the tasting is over, serve a more substantial meal to send off your guests on the right foot — whether pizza or barbecue for a casual get-together or a roasted tenderloin for a more formal dinner party.
This post is brought to you by Old Dominick Distillery. Thank you for being supportive of my sponsors!