How to Host a Bourbon Tasting Party at Home

Laura Kuhn
May 28
3 min read

Bourbon, Bites & Bragging Rights—All From Your Living Room

So, you’ve decided to throw a bourbon tasting party. First of all—excellent life choice. Secondly, you don’t need to be a certified bourbon steward or own a velvet smoking jacket (though we’re not stopping you) to pull it off. All you need is a good game plan, great bourbon, and a few friends who are down to sip, swirl, and pretend they’re not just there for the snacks.

Here’s how to host the perfect bourbon bash at home—complete with tips, tricks, and a splash of sass.

🥃 Step 1: Assemble Your Bourbon Lineup (aka Your Whiskey Avengers)

Aim for 3 to 5 bottles with varying flavor profiles:

Left Bank Small Batch – Rich, balanced, crowd-pleaser
High Proof Heavy Hitter – For the bold and brave
Wheated Bourbon – Softer, sweeter, a nice curveball
Single Barrel or Limited Edition – So you can say “This one’s special”
Flavored or Finished Bourbon (Maple? Port-cask? Go wild.)

Too many bottles and your guests will forget everything they tasted after #3. Keep it tight. Keep it tasty.

📋 Step 2: Tasting Notes Cards (Because You're Fancy Now)

Print out or DIY some tasting sheets so guests can jot down:

Color (Amber? Deep gold? “Whiskey sunset”?)
Nose (Smells like caramel? Campfire? Grandpa’s study?)
Taste (Sweet? Spicy? “Oaky with a hint of ‘I pay my bills on time’”?)
Finish (Long and warm? Short and sweet? Mysteriously smoky?)

This makes it feel more like an experience and less like “drinking in your kitchen.”

🧀 Step 3: Feed Them. Always Feed Them.

Even pros don’t drink bourbon on an empty stomach. Go for bite-sized, flavor-paired snacks:

Sharp cheeses (bourbon loves a cheddar)
Dark chocolate (bitterness = balance)
Candied nuts (sweet + salty = success)
Charcuterie (because meat + whiskey = America)
Bourbon-glazed bacon (trust us)

Bonus points if you label your snacks with things like “Pairs Well With Bold Decisions.”

🍋 Step 4: Cleanse That Palate

Have still water, crackers, and maybe even some apple slices on hand. It's not just hydration—it's tasting science. Plus, you’ll look incredibly thoughtful.

🎉 Step 5: Set the Vibe

Music? Think jazzy, bluesy, and smooth. Lighting? Dim, moody, maybe a candle that smells like “mahogany and mystery.” Decor? Bourbon bottles make excellent centerpieces. Add some citrus, copper bar tools, and you’re halfway to a Pinterest board.

🥂 Step 6: Create a Signature “Break the Ice” Cocktail

Before diving into tastings, serve a bourbon cocktail to ease everyone in:

Left Bank Gold Rush – Bourbon, lemon, and honey. It’s the golden retriever of cocktails—friendly, approachable, and everyone likes it.

💬 Step 7: Bourbon Banter & Bragging Rights

Encourage guests to guess the proof, compare notes, and argue (politely) over their favorites. Declare a “People’s Choice” winner at the end. Bonus if the prize is just more bourbon.

🥃 Final Sip: You're the Host With the Toast

A bourbon tasting party isn’t about knowing all the answers—it’s about celebrating the journey from bottle to glass with good people and better pours. With a little planning and a lot of Left Bank, you’ll throw the kind of gathering that makes people say, “Let’s do this again… maybe next weekend?”

So stock your cart, cue the playlist, and pour with pride.

Because the only thing better than sipping bourbon… is sipping it together. 🥃🎉