Guided bridges from tequila to whiskey help beginners self‑select higher tiers.
We were asked to design a tasting that would help a team of beginners explore both whiskey and tequila, without overwhelm or upsell pressure.
So we created a guided cross-spirit flight that connected flavor notes between Japanese and rye whiskey, and reposado and añejo tequila. Guests identified their preferred notes, then tried two Old Fashioned cocktails built around that flavor profile. The result was an easy, confidence-building path to premium pours and a 5–10% check-average lift.
Objective
Raise check average by converting curiosity into premium pours across categories.
Setup
Venue fit: Company event in Atlanta, GA — casual group setting with seated tasting stations.
Flight design: Four neat pours — Japanese whiskey, rye whiskey, reposado tequila, and añejo tequila — plus two Old Fashioned cocktails crafted to match each guest’s preferred note.
Menu cues: Taste cards with one clear descriptor per pour to guide note discovery.
Tools: Small tasting mats, water carafes, bar tools for cocktail service, and light palate cleansers to reset between spirits.
Flow
Welcome & framing: Guests are greeted with the theme — “find your note” — and introduced to how flavors bridge between whiskey and tequila.
Guided tasting: First two pours (one whiskey, one tequila) are tasted with simple flavor cues.
Compare & share: Group pause to compare impressions and name favorite notes.
Cocktail bridge: Two Old Fashioned styles (one whiskey-based, one tequila-based) are served, aligned with each guest’s preferred note.
Premium invitation: Guests are offered a premium upgrade of their favorite note in cocktail form or as a neat pour.
Impact
Check average: 5–10% lift through natural premium selection.
Engagement: 10–18 additional minutes of tasting time as guests discussed and compared notes.
Confidence effect: Guests could articulate what they liked, reducing decision friction and increasing premium conversions.
Proof of Impact
When guests can name a favorite note, they confidently choose the premium version of that note. This lowers hesitation, speeds ordering, and encourages self-driven upgrades across spirit categories.
How it works in 3 Steps
Invite the flight
Guests are introduced to a guided cross-spirit tasting featuring both whiskey and tequila.
Guide the note
Hosts lead a short flavor discovery — sip, compare, name a note — using clear menu cues.
Bridge to premium
Favorite notes become the bridge to an elevated Old Fashioned or premium neat pour.
Result
Cross-spirit guidance helped beginners connect categories and confidently self-select higher tiers.
See the cross‑spirit flight that turns beginners into confident premium buyers.