What Is a Blind Whisky Tasting (And Why Should You Try One?)
Aug 05, 2026
Imagine tasting a whisky without knowing its name, age, distillery or price. No label. No reputation. No expectations. And that's the beauty of a blind whisky tasting.
Rather than relying on what you think you know about a whisky, you're free to judge it purely on what's in the glass.
We asked some of our teachers and contributing experts why they enjoy blind tastings. Their answers all came back to one simple idea: honesty.
Taste the Whisky, Not the Label
We all have favourites. Perhaps there's a distillery you always reach for, or a bottle you've been told is exceptional.
One of our Approved Course Providers, Joe Cabassa, explains why a blind tasting can be so revealing.
"When you know the brand you create expectations. But when you're tasting blindly... you get to enjoy things for what they are."
That means you're more likely to discover whiskies you would never normally have chosen and maybe even enjoy them far more than you expected.
Leave Your Biases Behind
Vic Cameron believes that's exactly what makes blind tastings so enjoyable.
"Blind whisky tastings are great because they take your biases and your prejudices out and you just nose and assess the whiskies instead of judging them before you drink them."
Without the bottle in front of you, every whisky gets a fair chance. It's kind of liberating!
A Truer Appreciation of Flavour
For Gordon Steele, the appeal is simple.
"Blind tasting is much more fun, much more interesting. You get a much truer appreciation of the flavours."
When you're not influenced by age statements, packaging or reputation, your attention is drawn straight to the aromas, flavours and texture of the whisky itself.
Let the Whisky Speak for Itself
Blind tastings can also be a bit tongue in cheek.
Sandy MacIntyre, Tamdhu Distillery Manager, explains that they're sometimes used to demonstrate just how well a particular whisky performs when compared alongside another, perhaps more well-known brand.
Without knowing what's in each glass, people can surprise themselves with the whiskies they prefer. It's a handy reminder that great whisky isn't always the one you expected to choose.
It's Not a Guessing Game
Perhaps the biggest misconception is that a blind tasting is a competition.
As Dave Broom explains:
"Blind tasting isn't a parlour game... It's about being honest."
Trying to identify the whisky isn't the point. The value comes from stripping away assumptions and focusing entirely on your own experience.
As Dave adds:
"It really kind of takes you back to basics."
Why Try a Blind Tasting?
A blind tasting isn't about proving how much you know. It's about discovering what you genuinely enjoy.
Whether you're completely new to whisky or have been drinking it for years, tasting without expectations can be eye-opening. You might discover a new favourite, challenge a long-held assumption, or just remind yourself that the best judge of a whisky is your own palate.
