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Whisky workshop for beginners
Four whiskies, four regions, and 70 minutes that make the glass make sense.
Programme
How the workshop runs
- 01
How it all started
A short story of distillation, where the name uisce beatha comes from, and the few turning points that got whisky into your glass.
- 02
How to taste
We show you how to nose it, sip it and put words to what is in the glass, and then you practise on all four.
- 03
From grain to glass
From picking the ingredients and fermentation through copper stills to the secrets of oak casks — where everything you taste actually comes from.
- 04
Around the world
Scotland, Ireland, the USA with its bourbon, and Japan: what each one does differently and how to spot it in the glass.
Never tasted whisky? That is exactly who this is for. In 70 guided minutes we go through the history, how whisky is actually made, and how to taste it — slowly, and with zero snobbery. And if you already drink it, this is where the "why" finally clicks: why one smells of smoke and the next of vanilla.
What we pour
- 01Scottish single malt
- 02Irish single pot still
- 03Japanese blend
- 04American whiskey (bourbon)
Those four cover pretty much the whole span of styles and flavours in whisky, so by the end you know which way your taste leans. We run it in Zagreb, and we stay for a drink afterwards — that is when the best questions come out.
- Duration
- ≈ 70 minutes + hanging out
- Tasting
- 4 whiskies, 4 regions
- Level
- No experience needed, geeks welcome
- Price
- €75per person
Send an inquiry
Tell us a rough date and how many people are coming. We reply within a day.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know anything about whisky first?
No. The workshop is built for complete beginners and starts from the basics: how whisky is made, what separates one region from another, and how to taste from a Glencairn glass. If you already drink whisky, it gives you the vocabulary to name what you are tasting.
How long is the workshop and what does it include?
The guided presentation runs about 70 minutes, followed by an informal get-together. The price covers a tasting of four whiskies — a Scottish single malt, an Irish single pot still, a Japanese blend and an American whiskey — the walk through history and production, and the glassware.
How much does the beginners whisky workshop cost?
The workshop costs €75 per person. That covers the tasting of four whiskies and the full guided programme.
Where is the workshop held?
We run the workshops in Zagreb. The exact venue and date are confirmed when you get in touch, since both depend on the size of the group.
Can I come on my own, or book for a group?
Both. You can join a date we are already running, or book the whole workshop for your own group, a birthday, or as a gift. Tell us roughly how many people and we will propose a date.
Can the workshop be given as a gift?
Yes. The workshop is often given for a birthday, an anniversary or a retirement, and we arrange the date with whoever receives it. Get in touch and we will sort out the details.
How much whisky is poured, and can I drive afterwards?
There are four samples in tasting measures and nobody has to finish one. It is still spirits: the Croatian limit is 0.5 per mille, and zero for drivers under 24, so do not plan on driving afterwards. There is always water on the table, and anyone not drinking is welcome to come for the educational part alone.
What is the difference between single malt and blended whisky?
A single malt comes from one distillery and is made only from malted barley, while a blend combines whiskies from several distilleries, usually malt and grain. Neither is better by definition: a single malt Scotch whisky shows its distillery's character more plainly, while a good blend aims for balance. That contrast is what you taste at the workshop, since the four whiskies are chosen from different regions and styles.
What language is the workshop in?
We run it in Croatian as standard and in English on request. Just say which you need when you enquire.