How to Encourage Conversation at a Whisky Tasting
Sep 23, 2026
One of the most rewarding moments at a whisky tasting isn't usually when someone identifies an obscure flavour note. It's more likely to be when someone who began the evening saying, "I'm not very good at this," suddenly starts describing exactly what they're experiencing. That's when confidence starts to grow.
The best whisky tastings aren't led by hosts who have all the answers. They're led by hosts who encourage everyone else to share theirs.
We asked some of our teachers and contributing experts how they help guests feel confident enough to share their impressions. They basically all said: listen far more than you speak.
Create confidence through trust
Joe Cabassa believes confidence starts long before anyone lifts a glass. A good host should be calm, prepared and knowledgeable but never intimidating.
"You have to demonstrate that you're in control, but you're there to serve your guests."
When people know they're in safe hands, they're far more willing to join the conversation.
Joe also has one important rule:
"Never say, 'I don't find that.'"
If someone describes vanilla, flowers or cut grass, don't dismiss their observation simply because it isn't what you noticed. Build on it. Encourage them to explain what they're experiencing and use common language, such as from a flavour wheel, to help the whole group explore those ideas together.
Share your thoughts but invite theirs too
Tamdhu Distillery Manager Sandy MacIntyre sees whisky tasting as a conversation rather than a presentation.
"Be open and honest with what your thoughts are, then ask them whether they agree."
Offering your own impressions gives guests somewhere to begin, but the real value comes from asking what they think. Which whisky do they prefer? Which style appeals to them most? Why? These simple questions can lead to the most interesting discussions of the evening.
Ask questions, not leading answers
If there's one piece of advice Gordon Steele would give every whisky host, it's to ask questions.
"Questions, questions, questions. Always ask questions."
When someone says a whisky is fruity, don't stop there. Ask what kind of fruit. Citrus Orchard fruit? Fresh apples? Hard boiled sweets? Each answer helps guests explore their own senses more deeply while building confidence in their tasting vocabulary. The goal isn't to guide them towards a "correct" answer, it's to help them describe what they're genuinely experiencing.
Make sure everyone has a voice
It's easy for one or two enthusiastic whisky lovers to dominate a tasting. Vic Cameron encourages hosts to notice the quieter guests too.
"Engage with everybody. Good eye contact, ask questions and try and involve the people who aren't getting involved."
Sometimes all it takes is a friendly question and a welcoming smile to encourage someone to contribute. And often, it's those quieter voices that offer the most unexpected and interesting observations.
Great tastings are conversations
Across all of our experts' advice, one principle stands out: a whisky tasting should never feel like a lecture. It should be a conversation where everyone has something valuable to contribute. As a host, your role isn't to provide every answer. It's to ask the questions that help others discover their own.
