How to organise a whisky tasting without last-minute confusion

A good whisky tasting is decided before guests arrive: choose a manageable whisky selection, book a suitable venue and set the tasting order early. Allow time for registrations, dietary requirements and attendance confirmations, then prepare tasting cards, name tags, glasses, water and spit cups. On the day, label every bottle, set up the tables in serving order and keep snacks separate from the whisky pours. This approach prevents the common problems of missing glassware, warm drinks and guests not knowing what they are tasting.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Create whisky selection
2
Reserve venue
3
Send invitations
4
Process registrations
5
Collect dietary requirements
6
Order whisky
7
Set the tasting order
8
Prepare tasting cards
9
Update visitor list
10
Confirm attendance
11
Check glasses and pitchers
2 people
12
Do the shopping
2 people
13
Check the whiskey stock
14
Print cards and name tags
15
Fill coolers
2 people
16
Prepare snacks
3 people
17
Label the whisky bottles
2 people
18
Set out water and spit cups
2 people
19
Set up tables and chairs
3 people
20
Set out tasting glasses
2 people
21
Hand out tasting cards
2 people
22
Hang up decorations
2 people
23
Test music and lighting

Event

24
Reception and registration
2 people
25
Serve welcome drinks
2 people
26
Explain the tasting rules
27
Pour the first whisky
3 people
28
Introduce the whisky
29
Supervise practice laps
2 people
30
Serve snacks
3 people
31
Refill water and soft drinks
2 people
32
Keep glasses and tables tidy
2 people
33
Announce the final round
34
Check departure and transport
2 people

Aftercare

35
Store whisky and glasses securely
2 people
36
Collect waste
2 people
37
Wash dishes
3 people
38
Clear tables and chairs
3 people
39
Clean the venue
3 people
40
Return materials
2 people
41
Store leftover stock

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 36
Buffet tablesqty 2
Stoolsqty 4

Tableware

Whiskey glassesqty 40
Water glassesqty 40
Platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6
Water jugsqty 6
Spit cupsqty 8
Serving traysqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 3
Ice cube traysqty 3
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 3
Drink dispensersqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knivesqty 3
Measuring cupsqty 2
Small bowlsqty 10
Serving knivesqty 4

Decorations

Table runnersqty 6
Name badge holdersqty 36
Whisky decorationqty 4
Menu boardsqty 2

Lighting

Table lampsqty 6
String lightsqty 2

Catering

Tasting matsqty 36
Pensqty 40
Name labelsqty 40
Groceries

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Hand broomsqty 2

Tips

Choose the whisky selection before sending invitations. For a focused tasting, plan around 4 to 6 whiskies so guests can compare them without palate fatigue, and record the final bottle order on the tasting cards.
Set the tasting order at least 3 days before the event. A practical sequence is lighter or lower-intensity whiskies first, followed by richer, older or more heavily flavoured pours.
Prepare one tasting glass, one water glass and one spit cup per guest, plus a small reserve. Check the glasses and pitchers the day before; replacing missing items on the event day is harder than expected.
Leave at least 60 minutes for setup before registration. Lay out labelled bottles, tasting cards and name tags first, then place water, snacks and coolers so the tasting table stays clear.
Confirm attendance and dietary requirements no later than 48 hours beforehand. This gives you time to adjust snacks, update the visitor list and print the right number of cards and name tags.

Frequently asked questions

How many whiskies should you serve at a whisky tasting?: Serve 4 to 6 whiskies for a tasting lasting about 90 minutes to 2 hours. This gives guests enough comparison without making the final pours feel rushed or overwhelming.
How much whisky do you pour per tasting sample?: Pour about 15 to 20 ml per whisky per person. With 5 whiskies, that is 75 to 100 ml per guest, before allowing a small extra amount for spills and measuring differences.
How long does a whisky tasting take?: Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours for five whiskies, including short explanations and tasting time. Add at least 60 minutes beforehand for setting tables, labelling bottles and preparing registration.
When should I confirm guests for a whisky tasting?: Confirm attendance and collect dietary requirements 48 hours before the tasting. Print the updated visitor list, tasting cards and name tags after that deadline so the quantities match the final group.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.