Tasting conditions- room, company, music etc.

[Ghoste]

I'm just wondering how many of you like to set up certain conditions for certain whiskies?

For example, if I'm just tasting something for the simple pleasure of it, I generally prefer my living room in the evening, casual clothes, maybe a little blues or old jazz but just playing quietly. I find it seems to set the mood for me.

Other times seem to warrant different conditions but I just wondered if this was something everyone does?

Shawn

[gr8erdane]

I've found that the most enjoyable setting for a whiskey tasting is sitting in a Gazebo in Bardstown, standing elbow to elbow around a table full of wonderful bottles with interesting people from all over the world, breathing in air that has filtered down from Barton's loaded with the smell of freshly vented fermenters and sleeping bourbon barrels, and listening to the music of crystal tinkling and sloshing with freshly poured bourbon. Call me crazy I guess.

Maybe a close second is sitting in my favorite chair by the fireplace in winter, chatting on a Thursday night on SB.com and allowing the others to somewhat dictate where the next taste sensation should come from before slipping downstairs to retrieve that recommended bottle. Add some Led Zeppelin to the background and I'm in heaven there as well.

It's hard to beat either of those.

[jspero]

Since we still have young kids, I find it prudent to wait until they are in bed first. Otherwise, I don't have a special conditions. We have a pretty informal house, so lounging on the couch or on the deck are where I do most of my drinking.

Jay

[Ghoste]

As opposed to special conditions, do you find certain conditions more conducive? That is, are there times when you find yourself more apt to start wondering what something different (or familiar)would be like at that moment? (can you tell I'm home bored and ready to get back to work?)

[gr8erdane]

Truthfully, I enjoy a pour sitting at my computer and reading posts here, playing texas hold-em online or just surfing. I rarely drink while watching TV and don't read near as much as I used to. I guess my "home office" has become my drinking room for the most part. I have all my 1.75s on a filing cabinet for quick pours or I can go down to the bunker if something special comes to mind. It's one of the few really nice things about living alone I guess, nobody to complain about all the bottles I have scattered over the house in different levels of consumption...

[T47]

Bourbon is still so new to me...for me when I drink it; I like no distractions, just sit back with a little music and enjoy the flavor, and try to pick up differences between the bottles. Of course quite time like that is hard to come by most of the time, so sipping while perusing this forum, prior to hitting the sack is a pretty good time as well.

[ProofPositive]

This is my bourbon time of the day with the best conditions I am able to muster at present after a long day at the store. Everyone else has gone to bed , everything has settled down, and I get on this Forum for some relaxing conversation with my pour in hand.

Tonight, well tonight is a very special night - especially in the state of Texas. HOOK 'EM HORNS!!!! #1 - First Nat'l Championship since 1970

All of us out-of-state Longhorn fans will be celebrating far into the night as well. I was planning to get out the WT101 but as the game came to a close.....well, I had a change of plans & pulled out the VWSR-12. Such an occasion called for the best bourbon I own (at present!).

[kbuzbee]

This is my bourbon time of the day with the best conditions I am able to muster at present after a long day at the store. Everyone else has gone to bed , everything has settled down, and I get on this Forum for some relaxing conversation with my pour in hand.

Tonight, well tonight is a very special night - especially in the state of Texas. HOOK 'EM HORNS!!!! #1 - First Nat'l Championship since 1970

All of us out-of-state Longhorn fans will be celebrating far into the night as well. I was planning to get out the WT101 but as the game came to a close.....well, I had a change of plans & pulled out the VWSR-12. Such an occasion called for the best bourbon I own (at present!).

That was a great ending to a great game. Both teams played very well.

I'm not sure I agree with you. Having lived in Texas for many years, I think the WT101 would have been somehow more appropriate.

Texas Rangers, bull riding and WT101 Bourbon. Go Texas!

Ken

[jspero]

As opposed to special conditions, do you find certain conditions more conducive? That is, are there times when you find yourself more apt to start wondering what something different (or familiar)would be like at that moment? (can you tell I'm home bored and ready to get back to work?)

Hmmm. Not particualrly. The only real conditions I find UNconducive are with the kids around or while entertaining a sizable group of people (more than 4 at a time). There is just too much going on for me to enjoy anything that does not involve them (kids or guests). Since I'm still in the "experimentation" phase of the Bourbon Journey, I like to have things a little quieter so I can concentrate on the various aspects of a given brand, but the actual setting does not matter to me very much.

Jay

[Ghoste]

That's where I'm coming from too Jay. I suppose that's why I asked the question in the first place. I'm pretty new to this and I'm finding it to be enjoyable but am I asking too much of myself by trying to set the right mood or am I not asking enough by allowing distractions like music?

And I don't think I'd change anyway. If I like something, I generally follow my own formula. But I was still curious.

[Hillbilly]

Most of the time I enjoy my bourbon while reading a good book. Every now and then though, and maybe this is my good 'ole boy roots coming out, I'll put on a Hank Williams or Johnny Cash CD and savor a good long poor.