Aside from basing your tasting around the whisky regions of Scotland, there are several other themes you could use to both educate and entertain your fellow whisky lovers. These are only suggestions, but hopefully it will help provide some new ideas to those who are trying to move beyond the basics.
Vertical Tastings
The Idea: Gather several "expressions" of the same whisky, preferably in a range of ages. For example, you may wish to try a Glenfarclas 10, 15, 21, and 25 year old, noting the similarities and differences you find. To augment a vertical tasting, you could use both distillery bottlings and independent bottlings of a whisky from the same distillery (again of varying ages) if you want more variety. For some whiskies that are a bit pricey at higher ages (e.g. The Macallan), mixing some independent bottlings in your vertical tasting should give you enough variety without completely breaking the bank.
Educational Value: Can help to demonstrate the effect of aging on the whisky, or in some cases show how the character of a whisky can change based on evolving practices at the distillery. If independent bottlings are also sampled, you may see some significant differences even in whiskies of the same age, because such bottlings are often based on single casks, whereas distillery bottlings are generally vatted to maintain a consistent character.
Blind Tastings
The Idea: Have your guests try several whiskies without knowing which is which. After assigning each whisky a number, pour them for your guests without letting them know what they will be nosing. Describe them (colour, nose, body, palate, and finish) and perhaps assign each a rating. Try to identify the (a) region, (b) distillery, and (c) age of the whisky. Once the tasting is complete, reveal the whisky. If you want to truly participate, it may help to have a non-drinker pour the drams in another room before bringing them in.
Educational Value: Once you have built up a but of a repertoire, blind tastings can help refine your palate. Besides, they make the evening a bit more fun. Essentially, you (and your friends) are free to describe the whisky as it appeals to your senses, rather than based on past experiences or received notions about how the whisky "should" taste.
The World of Whiskies
The Idea: Though Scotland is famous for its whiskies, great whisky is made all over the world. If you'd like to see what some other countries have to offer the whisky drinker, gather several whiskies from some of the major whisky-producing countries and see if you can notice any distinct national "styles." Among others, you could try whisky from the United States, Canada, Ireland, and Japan. Try to be aware of the diversity within each of these countries, as your selection may not give the best impression, but it should be a fun tour regardless!
Educational Value: Depending on your choices, this type of tasting may help give a better understanding of what makes Scotch unique.
Malts, Blends, and Grains
The Idea: The term "Scotch whisky" is actually not a very specific term, despite its geographical specificity. First of all, most Scotch sold around the world is blended Scotch, which refers to a mixture of malt whisky (made exclusively from malted barley and distilled in pot stills) and grain whisky (which is made using a more industrial type of still called a patent/continuous still). The Famous Grouse, Chivas Regal, Bell's, and many others are in this category. Second, of course, there are single malts, which are made from a single distillery (if you need an example of these, you're on the wrong site). Third, there are vatted/pure malts (now starting to be called "blended malts"), which are a mixture of single malts without any grain whisky included (Johnny Walker Green is a good example). Fourth, there are single grain whiskies (grain whisky from a single distillery, such as Invergordon). Fifth and finally, there are blended grain whiskies, which include no malt whisky (Compass Box Hedonism is an example of this type).
Educational Value: Can help to show what makes single malts unique from the rest of the Scotch landscape.
Blended Scotch Break-Down
The Idea: Though not all blended Scotch makers are keen to release their recipes, a bit of digging (or perhaps a distillery tour) allow you to learn a few things about what goes into a blended whisky. The Famous Grouse, for example, includes (among other whiskies), the single malts Tamdhu, Highland Park, the Macallan, and Glenturret, and the grain whisky North British. Try tasting the blended Scotch (in this case Famous Grouse, but it could be anything), then several of the malts/grain whiskies that are included in the blend, returning to the blend to see which of the whiskies you can identify through nosing and tasting.
Educational Value: Helps develop your ability to discern different aromas and tastes in a blended whisky, gaining some insight into the art by which a master blender creates a balanced whisky.
Cask Character - Maturation
The Idea: In order to be called "Scotch whisky," distilled grain spirits in Scotland must be aged in oak casks for a minimum of three years, though much often the aging is even longer in practice. Over that time, the whisky takes on some of the character of the cask in which it was aged. Though some single malts are aged in new barrels, the vast majority are aged in either ex-bourbon or ex-sherry casks, the latter being most common. For this tasting, you could try tasting a whisky aged exclusively in ex-bourbon casks (like Scapa 14 year old, Balvenie Single Barrel 15 year old, or Glenmorangie 10 year old) accompanied by a bourbon of your choice. In the next flight, move on to a whisky aged exclusively in sherry casks, like the Macallan 10, 12, or 18 year old (NOT the fine oak version), along with a glass of sherry. Decide for yourself what effect the cask might have on the character of the whisky. Certain whiskies have been exclusively aged in a variety of other casks, including ex-port pipes, rum barrels, and barrels used for a variety of wines, so your imagination is the limit with this one. Be aware, however, that many whiskies are matured in a variety of different casks in order to lend a mixture of elements to a vatting of a single malt, so sticking to those that are exclusively aged in one type of cask is crucial for this tasting. Also be aware of the various "finishes" out there, which can be the subject of another tasting.
Educational Value: Whiskies are frequently described in reference to the casks used for their maturation. This tasting should give you a better idea of what it means for a whisky to taste "sherried."
Cask Character - Finishes
The Idea: As alluded to above, the cask in which a whisky is matured may have important effects on the final product you end up with. Can the same be said for a cask in which a whisky is aged for less than a year after spending more than ten years in another type of cask? Regardless of your own opinions on the matter, "finishes" have been very much in vogue in recent years. Glenmorangie and Edradour have a particularly wide variety of finishes, so proceeding through 3, 4 or more of these finishes in an evening should give you a pretty good idea where you stand.
Educational Value: You might find that this one will enable you to "cut through the hype" associated with wood finishes, or you may just find a new favourite - "Can I have a chardonnay with my single malt?"
Famous Drinkers
The Idea: Find out what the big shots drink, and emulate accordingly. Mock if necessary, or bow down before the masters of cool. Here's a list of a few Scotch drinkers you may have heard of, with their favourite listed accordingly:
Prince Charles - Laphroaig 15 YO
James Bond - Talisker 18 YO
Winston Churchill - Johnny Walker Red
Dean Martin - Dewar's
Sean Connery - Laphroaig
John Mayer - Lagavulin 16 YO
Ron Burgundy - The Glenlivet
Educational Value: Nil. Fun, though.
Well, hopefully this will be a good start! Another list of ideas will be posted shortly. In the meantime, feel free to comment and add suggestions.
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