The top three bottles of whisky to take to a dinner party

let’s begin

I don't know about you but every time I go to a party nowadays I feel like I should be taking a bottle of whisky instead of a bottle of wine. More expensive? Yes. But it is more suited to me, my expertise, and by the sound of some of my friends when I don't... expected! With that in mind I started to think about the best ones to take a long so here are my top three bottles of whisky to take to a dinner party, based on the expected type of night you'll be having.

1. The party with whisky connoisseurs in attendance - something random

So you are at a dinner party where people there all love whisky? Great! But because they all love whisky there it is more than likely that they know all the store-available products and even a few limited editions so you have to do something a little special.

My preferred way of wowing when it comes to events like this, provided I have enough time to get it sorted, is to buy something random from a whisky auction site.

It does not have to be expensive or the most limited bottle ever produced but it should be either dusty or interesting, or preferably both.

You’d be surprised as to what you can pick up online for around the £70 – £100 mark, I frequently buy ‘vintage’ bottlings of brands such as Jura, Glenmorangie or Johnnie Walker for around that price point or less. They will be the same line as available now so Black Label, 10 Year Old or whatever but they will have been released in the 1970s or 1980s so look a bit special and likely contain completely different liquid to what we would expect today, tho will hopefully taste similar!

If that fails, just get a bottle of The Macallan Ruby, always sure to impress.

2. The party with people who want to try something new - the latest limited edition

Limited editions are unlimited in reality, there were more of them released last year across the Scotch industry than in the previous ten years combined so you should have no trouble finding one.

I often pick up SMWS or Duty Free bottles in the £45 – £75 mark for just this occasion as they are unlikely to have been bought by many people, if any, in attendance and create a talking and educational point as much as a libation focus.

Talisker Dark Storm or anything cask strength from SMWS is sure-fire winners

3. The party where no one there normally drinks whisky - something good but economical

That may sound harsh but there is no point using your latest super-limited edition or favourite 2012 release of the Laphroaig Cask Strength 10 Year Old here, something that is good and enjoyable will suffice, a little surprising too would be perfect.

The Black Grouse is good for this, or the mainline Laphroaig 10 Year Old or even a Teeling Single Grain release to mix it up a bit.

I think the key thing here is not to spend in the wrong places; if it is to be a low tempo dinner party where there are no true expectations or existing whisky knowledge, don’t force something ridiculous on them. By no means am I saying take a poorly perceived bottle but buy smart and enjoy yourself.

Whereas if you’re there with a bunch of fellow whisky geeks you will want to impress, take something dusty, interesting or something random you found on an auction site. What are your top three bottles of whisky to take to a dinner party?

Tags: Dinner partyDrinkWireLaphroaigTop 3's

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.

7 thoughts on “The top three bottles of whisky to take to a dinner party”

Catherine Sikora

August 14, 2015 at 10:22 pm

I loved this post! I love Cutty Prohibition and agree that it would be an excellent choice for a non whisky loving group. I often give this to people as a gateway Scotch! Ha ha ha ha! I have not thought about bringing whisky to a dinner party but you opened my eyes! Thanks!
Reply
- Greg
  
  August 15, 2015 at 1:14 pm
  
  Thanks Catherine – appreciate your kind words and Cutty Prohibition is superb isn’t it?
  Reply
Canice Hanlon

August 17, 2015 at 9:07 am

Hey Greg,

I like your ideas, except that with my tastes in whiskey being more the Irish slant (Though I am a big fan of Isle of Jura 10 & 16 year old)

I would bring the following

1. Red Breast 12 year old Cask Strength
2. Powers Johns Lane 2012 or a Bushmills 10 year Old.
3. Teeling Spirit of Dublin small batch

Canice
Reply
- Greg
  
  August 17, 2015 at 11:27 am
  
  Ooh nice choices – especially the Red Breast 12 Cask Strength – that was the second whiskey I ever bought a bottle of, incredible liquid.
  Reply
Tim Hain

April 18, 2016 at 2:40 pm

Just saw this…great Article!
Reply
- Greg
  
  April 18, 2016 at 6:15 pm
  
  Cheers fella – be surprised how often I get asked about it and also how often I look back at this article to remind myself!
  Reply
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