Scotch Tasting attire

[Styckbow]

I live in a small rural town in central Alberta where just recently our Scottish Club held a gathering of the Clans (small highland games) which has resulted in quite the interest in all things Scottish and as a result I have been asked to help with a scotch tasting at a new liquor store's Grand opening. Now I am a relatively new scotch drinker (2 years) but have tried almost 150 different scotches so I want to make a good impression and as we all know appearance does matter. I was thinking of wearing my pv freedon tartan, with my cream hose with a thistle on it black dress shoes, plain black sporran, white dress shirt with a sweater made in Scotland that matches the purple in the tartan I am wearing. Is this too much? Or is it not enough? Keep in mind I live in about the most redneck place in the world which is probably why they asked such a newbie to run a scotch tasting LOL.

[Taskr]

(checks google maps .... tempting)

Safe to presume that it is a relatively informal event in late afternoon or early evening?

When attending a whiskey nosing/tasting, and thus hosting, keeping it simple as you are planning is the way to go, I'd be a bit careful on matching any colors between sweater and tartan so that its the tartan that makes the statement, as we read here often. Perhaps something grey/charcoal or a complimentary colour. Your cream hose might stand out against the colours you're wearing, so something complimenting what is worn atop the kilt - Steve Ashton and others - or something completely different - Joc and others - might be more appealing to the eye. White shirt might be a bit crisp for the occasion, so something with some tone or colour might bring it to a more relaxed and comfortable look.

My opinion, of course. I think there's some value in presenting as comfortable and relaxed rather than dressed-up given the context of the environment.

Would you mind sending me a PM on the store name and date/time.

[McMurdo]

I think that outfit sounds fine. Looking forward to photos.

[David Dubh]

I agree with Glen it sounds good, though I’m not a fan of white kilt hose.
Cheers David

[Lady Grey]

I’ll suggest a bit different (yeah that’s a surprise)

As it’s a prormotional event... Ask for a Polo or Tshirt with the stores logo on it (OR the same with your Scottish Clubs logo.)

A tasting at a liquor store will be casual and being willing to promote them has added benefits further down the track such as sponsorship, stalls at further games, discount codes for members, etc.

And in the spirit of cross-promotion... is anyone local who could lend you an XMarks Tartan kilt?

I don’t think the tasters attending will really be interested if your jumper was made in Scotland but little touches such as the XMarks dandelion or your clans flower are a great conversation starter along with questions about the tartan you are wearing.

And don’t forget a Quaich!

[Lady Grey]

In the spirit of full disclosure.
Yours truly and the XMarks Quaich
I think my opinion of Scotch is obvious

[Father Bill]

In the spirit....

Sure. Right.

[Tarheel]

When you mention being "redneck" I envision some swilling and spitting (as one does at wine tasting). Please say it isn't so with Scotch.

I like Lady Grey's suggestion of the store logo on a jumper or light jacket. I think you will be fine in your attire choice.

[Styckbow]

Lady Grey, not only do I have a club T shirt but our club has adopted the pride of Scotland as our tartan and instead of dues we have all bought inexpensive kilts and wear them when we are doing things in the community as a club. We are running bars at weddings, providing designated driver services for weddings or parties and even selling 50/50 tickets at concerts within the community. However in this instance I won't be representing the club, just helping out a friend so I don't think either would be appropriate in this instance. Don't worry I will have a Quaich as I was given one when I did the toast to the bard last year at our Robbie Burns dinner.

Tarheel, there will be no spitting of scotch around me I can assure you of that LOL However it is a little bit of a challenge around here when they consider Glenfiddich 12 a high end scotch and anything other than bud light is a craft beer. LOL

Taskr, I really like the advice you gave me in your pm and I will have a couple of bottles of Innes and Gunn there to use as a palate cleanser ( I stumbled across it about 5 years ago and since that time there has always been a few in my fridge)

I have decided to wear my green hose instead of the white, ditch the white dress shirt and just go with the sweater. Thanks all for your help and I will try to post pictures afterwards.

[Liam]

I would have chosen rural rather than redneck to describe Killam. I suspect you will be the only one kilted. I would keep it simple - dress shoes, kilt hose, flashes, kilt, day wear sporran, day wear kilt belt, long sleeve dress shirt. Try matching your shirt to your flashes.