Several days before
- Confirm the adult guest count and ask about allergies
- Choose one theme and three to five whiskeys
- Calculate measured pours and bottles
- Arrange designated drivers, rides, transit, or overnight plans
- Send the invitation with clear start and end times
- Plan appealing alcohol-free choices
Gather only the useful supplies
- Jigger or measured pourer
- One glass per sample when practical
- Drinking water and optional dilution droppers
- Scorecards and pencils
- Blind bags or paper, labels, and a private answer key
- Dump or spit cups
- Plain low-salt crackers or bread
- Substantial food for after the scored flight
Thirty minutes before
- Remove strong fragrances and scented candles
- Label every sample and verify the reveal key
- Order gentler or lower-proof pours before forceful or higher-proof pours
- Set water and scorecards at every place
- Put alcohol-free drinks where guests can choose them without asking
During the flight
- Measure every pour
- Make skipping, spitting, or leaving a sample normal
- Ask everyone to write before discussion
- Keep water available
- Do not turn the planned flight into open-ended refills
End deliberately
- Reveal bottles after cards are complete
- End planned alcohol service
- Bring out food and alcohol-free drinks
- Confirm every guest leaves with an unimpaired driver or another sober plan
Know when it is an emergency
Inability to wake, vomiting, seizures, or slow or irregular breathing can indicate alcohol overdose. Call 911 rather than using coffee, walking, or a cold shower.