Preparing a spirit tasting session

To have a proper spirit tasting experience, there are a number of things that are necessary. Firstly, and perhaps most important, is to have a range of spirits for the tasting. You can of course restrict yourself to trying a few, or even one bottle extensively, with different mixers, but in our experience the greater the variety the more enjoyable the occasion.

This allows you to throw back shots of frozen vodka, interspersed with more refined long drinks, such as cuba libre (whilst smoking cubans), or even the simple gin & tonic. The greater the number of spirits (and, indeed, mixers) then the more experimentation you are likely to try when preparing drinks.

Also needed are a number of glasses, in a variety of kinds. The more glasses you have the less time you have to spend washing up. Obviously there should be some long glasses for long drinks, and shorter ones for drinks on the rocks.

Next, the Zakuski. Zakuski is the Russian word for appetisers, or finger foods, and the emphasis here is placed on the number of dishes rather than the quantity of each. Generally you want to try and complement vodka with these, though they are a good way of keeping you from getting drunk too early on. In our tastings, we use polish hleb (rye/wheat bread), small sausages (sliced eastern european ones work best), and some crackers (legendarny smack). Spiced biscuits are good too, though it could be argued that these overpower the subtle tastes of some vodka.

Music and lighting are both important to the general atmosphere of the work area (and this is work), and there should be plenty of room to move bottles around, and keep a notepad for making notes on the different spirits.

Other important accessories are lemons, limes, and other garnishes, and ice to chill the drinks.

A constant chaser (or palate cleanser) is water. Keep a large glass topped up beside you throughout the evening.