Bourbon 101
Stop stressing. Start sipping.
A complete guided bourbon tasting: what legally makes it bourbon, the mash bill showdown, 12 real bottles in three tiers, a blind tasting game and 20 classic cocktails.
1 / 14 · The kit
Bourbon 101 teaches what makes it bourbon, how to read a label and how wheated, traditional and high rye mash bills really taste different, then walks your table through a four-bottle flight. Twelve real, easy-to-find bourbons are sorted Newbie to Aficionado, each with its own card, and the night ends with a blind tasting game and a cocktail round.
- 12bourbon cards
- 20cocktail recipes
- 3tiers, Newbie to Aficionado
What you get
The 31-page PDF, page by page, plus an editable Canva invite with a QR code you point at your own private RSVP form. Every shopping pick is sorted into Newbie, Casual and Aficionado budgets, so you buy exactly what's listed and skip the research.
- 01-02Start Here & Bourbon 101 PrimerThe plan for the night, plus the three mash bills and the trip from grain to glass.
- 03-05The Rules, Label Decoder & ShowdownWhat legally makes it bourbon, which label words are promises, and wheated vs. high rye.
- 06-07Bourbonbase & How to Taste12 real bottles in three tiers with proof and price, and the five-step tasting method.
- 08-11Party, Food & ShoppingRun of show, food pairings, the Big Shopping List and a buying guide.
- 12-18Wheel, Mat, Cards & Blind ChallengeFlavor wheel, tasting mat, three tier tasting sheets, a blind game and bourbon trivia.
- 19-3120 Cocktails & 12 Bottle CardsRecipe cards with origins, a syrups page, a card for every bottle and the scorecard.
How it works
- 01Buy & downloadInstant access to the PDF and your editable Canva invite. Nothing ships.
- 02Print at homeStandard US Letter on a normal printer. Cardstock is nice for the cards, never required.
- 03Pick your tierChoose Newbie, Casual or Aficionado and buy all four bottles.
- 04Taste, then playLowest proof to highest, then the blind challenge and a cocktail round.
This is an all-digital product. No physical items are shipped.
Shop the setup
The glassware, tools and games that make the night run smoother. None of it is required.
As an Amazon Associate, KingBKits earns from qualifying purchases. It doesn't change the price you pay.
- Glencairn whisky glasses, set of 6The tasting glass the pros use. Six covers a full table.See it on Amazon →
- Glencairn water pipetteA few drops of water opens a dram up. This adds them one at a time.See it on Amazon →
- OXO angled measuring jiggerRead half-ounce pours from above. No squinting, no free pours.See it on Amazon →
- Numbered bottle bags for blind tasting, 10 packCovers the label and numbers the pour, so the guess stays honest.See it on Amazon →
- Carr's Table Water crackers, 24 snack packsThe plain palate reset. Single packs, so nobody shares a sleeve.See it on Amazon →
- Metallic glass markers, 8 packWrite names or pour numbers right on the glass. Washes off.See it on Amazon →
- Glass carafes with lids, set of 2Water on the table, always. One carafe per end of the table.See it on Amazon →
- Sunstar Kadomaru corner rounderRound the corners and the cards look like a real deck.See it on Amazon →
- Pilot G2 pens, 12 packA pen at every seat. Notes in the moment beat notes from memory.See it on Amazon →
- Neenah 65 lb white cardstock, 75 sheetsPrint the tasting cards and invites on this and they feel store-bought.See it on Amazon →
- Firbon 12-inch paper trimmerCuts a sheet of cards in four clean strokes instead of a wobbly scissor job.See it on Amazon →
Frequently asked
What's included in the Bourbon 101 kit?
A 31-page PDF you print at home: Start Here & Bourbon 101 Primer, The Rules, Label Decoder & Showdown, Bourbonbase & How to Taste, Party, Food & Shopping, Wheel, Mat, Cards & Blind Challenge and 20 Cocktails & 12 Bottle Cards. It downloads instantly from Etsy after purchase.
How do you host with the Bourbon 101 kit?
1. Buy & download: Instant access to the PDF and your editable Canva invite. Nothing ships. 2. Print at home: Standard US Letter on a normal printer. Cardstock is nice for the cards, never required. 3. Pick your tier: Choose Newbie, Casual or Aficionado and buy all four bottles. 4. Taste, then play: Lowest proof to highest, then the blind challenge and a cocktail round.
What occasions is the Bourbon 101 kit good for?
Birthday, Groomsmen, Retirement, Father's Day and Holiday party. It's rated 21+ (it includes alcohol).
Is the Bourbon 101 kit a physical product?
No. It's an instant digital download (31-page PDF, US Letter) that you print at home as many times as you need for your own party. Nothing ships.
How much does the Bourbon 101 kit cost?
$5.50 on Etsy, a one-time purchase with an instant download.
