You’re an adult. You don’t need to be taught “how to taste whisky”, “eat before” and “make a plan”. These tips are the next step up from the basics you can find everywhere. They are either the ones I wish I’d been told in advance or they’re the ones that really make a good time even better.

Use The Spittoons

All good whisky festivals have spittoons. Use them. I have seen people throwing up, unable to even speak or being carted out by staff because they didn’t drink responsibly. 

The spittoons will usually be small buckets with handles on either side and a funnel in the middle or large bins labelled ‘spittoon’ or ‘crachoir’. 

You won’t see many people using them because they’re either willing to drink too much, feel pressured into not using them, or they are pros who know exactly what they want to drink and will be drinking only a small amount overall.

For how to use a spittoon the wine industry has you covered. Don’t forget you can tip your glass out in it too if something isn’t to your taste. 

When should you consider not using a spittoon?

• When you are trying something you are seriously thinking of purchasing.
• When you are enjoying a “dream dram” or similar.
• When you have been given an “under the table” dram – more on these later.

You Will Hate Some Stuff

Folks who regularly attend whisky shows will know exactly what they like and don’t like, but being open minded is essential to having a good time. So go and try things you wouldn’t normally try.

When you find something you really don’t like, just spittoon it and say “thank you but that’s not for me”. The exhibitors are all here to find new customers and you’d just be wasting their time sticking around out of politeness. Don’t be embarrassed. 

Cast out your prejudices too. An example for me: I don’t like wine. You won’t see me ever having a glass of red or white. Yet what wine barrels do to whisky is a very different thing. I spent years assuming I wouldn’t like them only to find that, oh snap, I adore a red wine finish.

Clean Your Glass & Your Mouth

What are the consequences of not cleaning your glass? Buying a bottle of whisky that you don’t like because it doesn’t taste how you remember it. This has happened to me and the only reason I can think of is because I had residue of something else in my glass from a previous stand.

Whilst you should drink plenty of water at a show for the benefit of your health, your palate also needs it. Some shows have whiskies on the counter that would set you back nearly £1,000. Going from that straight to a £50 offering is going to make the latter suffer so drinking regularly and cleaning your glass are the solution.

Peat Last

I love peat. Peat got me into whisky and at every show I’m always looking for something with a real hit of smoke. However, at early shows I would utterly wreck my palate. If you see a peated whisky that looks good, make a note to come back later and try it. I generally switch to peat halfway through a show by which point I will have visited all my “must try” stands.

Set An Alarm

Set an alarm for 30 minutes before the last pour (ask staff if you don’t know when it is). Then use that last time to go back around and try again everything you really liked. This ensures you only end up with bottles you know taste great and ensure they weren’t a fluke or a mixup. One of my favourite parts of any show is ending the day slowly sipping the dram I enjoyed most rather than rushing to squeeze in more samples.

Take Photos

If you like a bottle, take a picture of it. I’ve found that as my whisky journey continues I am photographing fewer and fewer bottles as I know exactly what I’m looking for, but early on I would have forgotten so many gateway drams had I not snapped a pic. I owe my good whisky friend Jamie for this tip.

“Under The Table” Whiskies

Yes. They exist. I have been given some incredible tasters of special products that aren’t being exhibited. Typically these secret offerings are more expensive bottlings but other times it’s more experimental or odd things. Several whisky distillers have let me try their new make at shows under the table because it’s a curiosity of mine.

The number one rule is “don’t ask”. This isn’t like a secret restaurant menu or a password for a speakeasy you saw on TikTok. Instead enjoy what’s publicly on offer and have a good time. Many stands will only have what’s on display and if you see someone else get an under-the-table dram – no you didn’t. Whisky shows are hard work already without people making it more difficult for exhibitors by demanding things.

One more thing –  you don’t have to take what you are offered if you don’t think you’ll enjoy it. There is nothing wrong with a heartfelt thanks and suggesting it is saved for someone else.

What are your top tips for whisky festivals? Let us know in the comments below.