Thoughts on a Bottle Share Experience

Summary:

Bring a bottle, pour fairly, ask before refilling a guests glass, and enjoy the whisky—and the company—responsibly.

A bottle share night lives or dies by a few simple, well-understood norms. The goal is to protect generosity, avoid awkwardness, and keep the evening about shared enjoyment, not accounting.

Bottle Share Night — Basic Guidelines

Bring Something to Share

• Each attendee brings one bottle to share, unless otherwise noted.

• Any style of Scotch is welcome unless the event theme specifies otherwise.

• Bottles need not be rare or expensive—thoughtfulness matters more than price.

Label Your Bottle

• Clearly mark bottles with the owner’s name.

• Bottles remain the property of the person who brought them.

• Leftover whisky goes home with the owner unless they choose to leave it.

Pour with Generosity and Fairness

• Standard pours are tasting-sized, not full drams.

• Be mindful that everyone should have a chance to try each bottle.

• If a bottle is particularly limited, the owner may set the pour size.

Ask Before You Pour

• Always ask the bottle owner before pouring—especially near the end of the bottle.

• Respect any guidance the owner offers on when or how the whisky is best enjoyed.

Taste Thoughtfully

• You are never expected to taste everything.

• Skipping a pour is perfectly acceptable.

• Water and palate breaks are encouraged.

Respect the Table

• Bottles stay on the table—no refilling off to the side.

• No “saving” pours for later.

• Tasting sheets or notes are encouraged but never required.

Conversation, Over Consumption

• Bottle share nights are about discovery and discussion, not volume.

• Responsible enjoyment is expected at all times.

• Members are encouraged to arrange safe transportation if needed.

Above All

• Come curious.

• Share generously.

• Leave no one feeling excluded.

• If you can't bring a bottle or forgot, there's usually more than enough to share.