Whiskey Games
Creating a Fun Whiskey Experience with Friends
The next time you’re planning a night of whiskey and great conversation with friends, why not kick things off with a game to set the vibe? It’s a fun way to break the ice, get everyone laughing, and turn a casual hangout into an unforgettable night. One of the games what we like to pay is “Guess the Bottle.”
Pre-Game Preparation
Invite a few friends over and let them know ahead of time what the evening will involve so they can come prepared. Each person (or household) should bring a bottle of whiskey to share.
What You’ll Need:
• A designated person who won’t be playing to set up the game
• Each participant’s bottle of whiskey
• Plastic shot glasses (easily found at Walmart or most grocery stores)
• A scorecard for each player with space to note:
o Whiskey A: Proof – Price – Bottle
o Whiskey B: Proof – Price – Bottle
• An answer key listing the correct details for each whiskey
• A marker to label the cups and bottles
Setting Up
1. The designated person will label each bottle with a letter (A, B, C, etc.).
2. They’ll then label each player’s cups with the corresponding letters.
3. Pour whiskey from bottle A into cup A, and so on.
4. Place the bottles far enough away so that players can see them but can’t read details like proof or price.
How to Play
1. Each player grabs their scorecard and set of whiskey samples.
2. The non-player sets a timer (you can decide on the time limit) and starts the game.
3. Players taste through the samples and fill out their scorecards. When guessing the bottle, they can look at the bottles from a distance but can’t approach them to read the labels.
4. Once time is up, the non-player reveals the correct answers.
To keep things lively, encourage debates, comments, and even a bit of trash talk—it adds to the fun!
Scoring
• Proof:
o Exact proof: 3 points
o Within 3 proof points (high or low): 1 point
• Price: (use the MSRP from Total Wine or another standard source)
o Exact price: 3 points
o Within $3 (high or low): 1 point
• Bottle:
o Correct guess: 3 points
Prizes
There are a few ways you can reward the winners:
1. Simply congratulate the winner, tease the losers, and then enjoy the remaining whiskey together.
2. The first-place winner gets to choose one bottle from the ones brought to take home, followed by the second-place winner, and so on.
3. Winner takes all—the top scorer goes home with what’s left of all the bottles.
Make It Your Own
The rules, prizes, and categories are totally up to you. Customize the game to suit your group’s experience level. For seasoned whiskey lovers, consider adding some twists:
• Hide the bottles for a true blind tasting.
• Include categories like the state of distillation, type of whiskey (bourbon, rye, Irish, Scotch, etc.), primary grain used, or age.
With a little creativity, this game can become a staple of your whiskey nights, offering endless fun and a bit of friendly competition.
LET’S START A CONVERSATION!
What whiskey games do you and your friends enjoy playing? I would love to know your thoughts, so comment below. You know I love conversation and will reply to you. As always, I want to thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Until the next Whiskey Wednesday, if you’re going to enjoy a little smoke & oak, just remember, “Life’s too short, enjoy the good stuff…” and do it responsibly!
Charles Ruth