What to buy for a whisky tasting

A whisky tasting needs more than bottles and tasting glasses. You also need enough water, snacks, tableware and serving equipment to keep guests comfortable between rounds. Plan quantities by guest count and tasting rounds, then check what the venue already provides before shopping. The items below cover the details people often leave until the last minute, including water carafes, ice, coffee supplies, name badges and waste bins.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 30
Buffet tablesqty 2
Coat rack

Tableware

Whiskey glassesqty 90
Water glassesqty 40
Platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 30

Equipment

Coolersqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee maker
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Kitchen

Water carafesqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Serving traysqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8

Decorations

Table runnersqty 6
Name badge holdersqty 30
Menusqty 6
Tasting card foldersqty 30

Lighting

Atmosphere lightsqty 6
String lightsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Hand broomsqty 2
Mopsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Single malt whisky - 3 bottles
- Blended whisky - 2 bottles
- Bourbon - 1 Bottle
- Rye whiskey - 1 bottle
- Irish whiskey - 1 bottle
- Alcohol-free whisky - 1 bottle
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 3 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 8 pieces
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Honey - 1 jar
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 bags
- Cashews - 2 bags
- Olives - 3 jars
- Salted crackers - 5 packs
- Breadsticks - 4 packs
- Raisins - 2 bags
- Apples - 20 pieces
- Grapes - 4 bunches
- Pears - 12 pieces
- Grape juice - 3 bottles
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Blue cheese - 500 grams
- Cream cheese - 500 grams
- Serrano ham - 1 kilo
- Smoked chicken breast - 1 kilo
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Rye bread - 3 packs
- Unsalted butter - 500 grams
- Fig jam - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mini quiches - 60 pieces
- Spring rolls - 60 pieces
- Falafel balls - 60 pieces
- Tapenade - 3 jars
- Hummus - 3 tubs
- Napkins - 150 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Rinse aid - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles

Tips

Provide at least one whisky glass per guest per active tasting round, plus a few spare glasses for breakage or replacements. Add one water glass per guest so guests can dilute whisky without reusing tasting glassware.
Allow roughly 500 ml of still water per guest for the tasting, served in water carafes, and keep extra water available if the event lasts more than two hours. Refill carafes before each tasting round.
Buy or prepare 2 to 3 small snack portions per guest for every hour, focusing on plain foods that will not overpower the whisky. Set out plates, cutlery and serving spoons before guests arrive rather than during the tasting.
If coffee or tea is part of the plan, provide one coffee cup per guest, a coffee maker, kettles and enough cups for a second drink. Check power strips and extension cords the day before, especially when the venue has limited outlets.
Prepare one name badge holder and one tasting card folder per guest, with a few extras. Pick up whisky and other drinks at least one day before the tasting so missing bottles or damaged glassware can still be replaced.

Frequently asked questions

How many whisky glasses do I need per person?: Plan one tasting glass per guest for each whisky served at the same time. For 20 guests tasting five whiskies side by side, you need 100 glasses, plus at least 5 to 10 spare glasses.
How much water should I buy for a whisky tasting?: Allow about 500 ml of water per guest for a tasting lasting up to two hours. For 20 guests, that is 10 litres, with extra water if the event includes food, coffee or a longer schedule.
How many snacks do I need for a whisky tasting?: Plan 2 to 3 small snack portions per guest per hour. For 20 guests over two hours, prepare roughly 80 to 120 portions and serve them on plates or trays that are easy to reach between rounds.
When should I buy the whisky tasting supplies?: Order the whisky and reserve glasses at least 7 days before the tasting. Buy fresh groceries and ice 1 to 2 days beforehand, then check the full setup, power supplies and tableware on the day before the event.

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.