Scotch Whisky Events "Never A Dry Moment Tastings"
For the Curious, Enthusiast and Aficionado!
Now Accepting Bookings
Serving Whidbey Island and The Greater Seattle Area
We look forward to sharing our passion for Scotch and world whiskies, and world gins while conducting our educational and entertaining tasting experiences at your event.
Follow this link: MORE > Contact Us
Contact us for your upcoming events on Whidbey and the Greater Seattle Area:
- Holiday Parties
- New Year's Eve
- Corporate events
- Family Reunions
- Conventions
- Bachelor / Bachelorette parties
- Mother's and Father's Day Celebrations
- Birthdays
- Robert Burns Suppers
- Weddings
- Cigar parties
- Chocolate Parties
- Fundraisers (inquire about our pouring at your event and our silent & live auction certificates to attend a tasting - always bid on!)
- Parlour Readings
Any Occasion!
Click on the informative pages above to:
- Learn more about us
- Book a custom tour / tasting on Whidbey Island
- Contact us - Follow this link: MORE > Contact Us
Web site, email address and phone remain the same
Each event is unique! We customize each tasting to our clients needs. Please contact us for the myriad of tasting possibilities and pricing specific to your event.
Frequently asked Q's & A's
1. What locations do you conduct tastings in?
We've conducted tastings in homes, distilleries, corporate offices, hotel suites, restaurants, yachts, banquet rooms, gardens, kitchens, parks, poolside, vineyards etc. Anywhere!
2. Is there a min / max number of people that can attend my event?
No! We have provided tastings for an intimate 2 to over 1800!
3. What kind of “tastings” are there?
The types of tastings are endless and are custom created to your interests. For instance...
- one whisky from each of the six tasting regions of Scotland – a Tour de Scotland
- world whiskies from: Germany, Ireland, Japan, India, Taiwan, France, Belgium, New Zealand etc.
- GIN from local distilleries and around the world with a blind tasting of international tonic waters
- bourbon and rye whiskey
- an East vs. West of the Mississippi
- whiskies of the Pacific Northwest
- whiskies of the Puget Sound
Mark speaks about:
- the process of making Scotch & world whisky, GIN or bourbon & rye
- what to look for – oils, legs etc.
- how to taste – nose, palate, finish
- how to read the bottle label (as complex as French wine labels)
- information about the distilleries being poured
... the list goes on
4. What will the cost of the whisky be for my event?
The bottles of whisky can be purchased by you OR we can pour from our inventory. Whatever your budget – Mark will create a customized Suggested Tasting Menu for a flight that progresses and offers diversity. Mark is a firm believer that more expensive whisky, GIN or whiskey is not necessarily the better selection. Let's discuss!
5. What are your fees for a private tasting / how long is a tasting?
Most clients retain us for a 2 - 4 hour tasting. As each event is unique - please contact us for your custom quote.
6. How many bottles should I buy for my tasting?
A bottle of whisky, GIN or whiskey holds 30-40 tasting size pours. We recommend serving one bottle each 15 - 30 minutes. This allows guests time to sniff, taste, discuss, interact with each other, nibble food and give Mark time to expound on the bottle, distillery, region and answer questions. We recommend a flight of 4 - 5 for a 2-hr tasting / 4 – 7 bottles for a 3-hr tasting. For a more leisurely gathering, the time between tastings can be spread out - i.e., if the tasting is paired to a sit down 3 - 4 course meal, for instance - then there might only be 4 bottles tasted. Best to discuss what kind of an event you’re having, your guest count and then we can recommend how many bottles to offer at your event.
7. If I’m hosting a tasting, what do I have to provide?
Great question - our client’s are asked to provide:
Tasting station: approx. 6’ table / counter space, underlay linens (if necessary), setup /
breakdown of the tasting station. The space is determined by the number of guests – we’ll
gladly advise what is needed.
Glassware: Most clients prefer to taste with glassware - for perception only. Plastic vs
glass doesn't change the taste / nose of whisky. Renting small brandy snifters or port
glasses are suggested. At a smaller tasting we can provide the glassware.
As at a fine wine tasting - one clean glass per taste / per person / per round served
will be required. We will gladly provide hi-grade plastic cups and can quote the cost
based on your guest count. We’ll help you determine the quantity of glasses needed
when your guest count is finalized.
Water: Room temperature drinking water - vital to cleansing the palate between rounds
poured.
9. What does Scotch Whisky Events provide?
Whatever is asked of us! We’re glad to help in any way – our extensive background in event planning / production and catering makes us a great partner! In addition we provide: educated staff, tartan or linen overlays, tasting menus and educational hand-outs.
10. What does the “assistant” to the Whisky / GIN Specialist do at an event?
Assistants handle all the "behind the scenes" activities to keep the tasting on schedule which keeps your Specialist - Mark Stewart Cassidy - out amongst you and your guests. We strive to provide a “classic” tasting - here's what that means: whisky, like wine, needs to be pre-poured to breathe - rule of thumb is - one minute in glass - per year in cask. When we discuss your event needs we’ll better be able to advise you on the appropriate number of staff for your event and what level of service we can provide.
11. Can Mark be impartial when suggesting Scotch?
Without question YES! Mark doesn't receive remuneration / kick-backs from any distillery, liquor store or distributor. As Mark isn’t “beholding” to anyone (a very unique position), he is able to freely mention all that the industry offers – thus truly conducting an unbiased tasting – one culled specific to your taste, budget and your guest’s appreciation.
Also important to note: We are educators! We are not distillers and do not sell whisky or GIN at events.
12. What if my event is a fundraiser?
Please inquire about our non-profit rates. We are very supportive of fundraising events and are big on the live and silent auction circuit in schools, churches and temples and consider ourselves lucky to be able to be active and give back to our community this way!
Thanks for forwarding to your Pacific NW friends!
Please use this "more ...Contact Us" link.
For the Curious, Enthusiast and Aficionado!
Now Accepting Bookings
Serving Whidbey Island and The Greater Seattle Area
We look forward to sharing our passion for Scotch and world whiskies, and world gins while conducting our educational and entertaining tasting experiences at your event.
Follow this link: MORE > Contact Us
Contact us for your upcoming events on Whidbey and the Greater Seattle Area:
- Holiday Parties
- New Year's Eve
- Corporate events
- Family Reunions
- Conventions
- Bachelor / Bachelorette parties
- Mother's and Father's Day Celebrations
- Birthdays
- Robert Burns Suppers
- Weddings
- Cigar parties
- Chocolate Parties
- Fundraisers (inquire about our pouring at your event and our silent & live auction certificates to attend a tasting - always bid on!)
- Parlour Readings
Any Occasion!
Click on the informative pages above to:
- Learn more about us
- Book a custom tour / tasting on Whidbey Island
- Contact us - Follow this link: MORE > Contact Us
Web site, email address and phone remain the same
Each event is unique! We customize each tasting to our clients needs. Please contact us for the myriad of tasting possibilities and pricing specific to your event.
Frequently asked Q's & A's
1. What locations do you conduct tastings in?
We've conducted tastings in homes, distilleries, corporate offices, hotel suites, restaurants, yachts, banquet rooms, gardens, kitchens, parks, poolside, vineyards etc. Anywhere!
2. Is there a min / max number of people that can attend my event?
No! We have provided tastings for an intimate 2 to over 1800!
3. What kind of “tastings” are there?
The types of tastings are endless and are custom created to your interests. For instance...
- one whisky from each of the six tasting regions of Scotland – a Tour de Scotland
- world whiskies from: Germany, Ireland, Japan, India, Taiwan, France, Belgium, New Zealand etc.
- GIN from local distilleries and around the world with a blind tasting of international tonic waters
- bourbon and rye whiskey
- an East vs. West of the Mississippi
- whiskies of the Pacific Northwest
- whiskies of the Puget Sound
Mark speaks about:
- the process of making Scotch & world whisky, GIN or bourbon & rye
- what to look for – oils, legs etc.
- how to taste – nose, palate, finish
- how to read the bottle label (as complex as French wine labels)
- information about the distilleries being poured
... the list goes on
4. What will the cost of the whisky be for my event?
The bottles of whisky can be purchased by you OR we can pour from our inventory. Whatever your budget – Mark will create a customized Suggested Tasting Menu for a flight that progresses and offers diversity. Mark is a firm believer that more expensive whisky, GIN or whiskey is not necessarily the better selection. Let's discuss!
5. What are your fees for a private tasting / how long is a tasting?
Most clients retain us for a 2 - 4 hour tasting. As each event is unique - please contact us for your custom quote.
6. How many bottles should I buy for my tasting?
A bottle of whisky, GIN or whiskey holds 30-40 tasting size pours. We recommend serving one bottle each 15 - 30 minutes. This allows guests time to sniff, taste, discuss, interact with each other, nibble food and give Mark time to expound on the bottle, distillery, region and answer questions. We recommend a flight of 4 - 5 for a 2-hr tasting / 4 – 7 bottles for a 3-hr tasting. For a more leisurely gathering, the time between tastings can be spread out - i.e., if the tasting is paired to a sit down 3 - 4 course meal, for instance - then there might only be 4 bottles tasted. Best to discuss what kind of an event you’re having, your guest count and then we can recommend how many bottles to offer at your event.
7. If I’m hosting a tasting, what do I have to provide?
Great question - our client’s are asked to provide:
Tasting station: approx. 6’ table / counter space, underlay linens (if necessary), setup /
breakdown of the tasting station. The space is determined by the number of guests – we’ll
gladly advise what is needed.
Glassware: Most clients prefer to taste with glassware - for perception only. Plastic vs
glass doesn't change the taste / nose of whisky. Renting small brandy snifters or port
glasses are suggested. At a smaller tasting we can provide the glassware.
As at a fine wine tasting - one clean glass per taste / per person / per round served
will be required. We will gladly provide hi-grade plastic cups and can quote the cost
based on your guest count. We’ll help you determine the quantity of glasses needed
when your guest count is finalized.
Water: Room temperature drinking water - vital to cleansing the palate between rounds
poured.
9. What does Scotch Whisky Events provide?
Whatever is asked of us! We’re glad to help in any way – our extensive background in event planning / production and catering makes us a great partner! In addition we provide: educated staff, tartan or linen overlays, tasting menus and educational hand-outs.
10. What does the “assistant” to the Whisky / GIN Specialist do at an event?
Assistants handle all the "behind the scenes" activities to keep the tasting on schedule which keeps your Specialist - Mark Stewart Cassidy - out amongst you and your guests. We strive to provide a “classic” tasting - here's what that means: whisky, like wine, needs to be pre-poured to breathe - rule of thumb is - one minute in glass - per year in cask. When we discuss your event needs we’ll better be able to advise you on the appropriate number of staff for your event and what level of service we can provide.
11. Can Mark be impartial when suggesting Scotch?
Without question YES! Mark doesn't receive remuneration / kick-backs from any distillery, liquor store or distributor. As Mark isn’t “beholding” to anyone (a very unique position), he is able to freely mention all that the industry offers – thus truly conducting an unbiased tasting – one culled specific to your taste, budget and your guest’s appreciation.
Also important to note: We are educators! We are not distillers and do not sell whisky or GIN at events.
12. What if my event is a fundraiser?
Please inquire about our non-profit rates. We are very supportive of fundraising events and are big on the live and silent auction circuit in schools, churches and temples and consider ourselves lucky to be able to be active and give back to our community this way!
Thanks for forwarding to your Pacific NW friends!
Please use this "more ...Contact Us" link.
