Use a tasting pour, not a bar pour
The right pour is the smallest amount that supports the comparison. Guests can always decline, spit, or leave part of a sample unfinished.
- 0.25 oz / about 7 mL: useful for a brief nosing sample or a larger lineup.
- 0.5 oz / about 15 mL: the Beacon & Barrel default.
- 0.75 oz / about 22 mL: more room to revisit, but the total rises quickly.
Know what a standard drink means
In the United States, one standard drink contains about 0.6 fluid ounces or 14 grams of pure alcohol. That is approximately the alcohol in 1.5 ounces of 40% ABV distilled spirits. Higher-proof whiskey contains more alcohol at the same liquid volume.
For an estimate, multiply pours by ounces per pour and ABV as a decimal, then divide by 0.6. Four 0.5-ounce pours at 40% ABV equal about 1.33 U.S. standard drinks. This formula cannot determine impairment or driving fitness.
Estimate what the group needs
For each whiskey, multiply guests by pour size, then multiply ounces by 29.5735 for milliliters. Add a modest setup buffer, divide by bottle size, and round up before totaling the flight. Do not pool liquid across different whiskeys: each bottle supplies only its own sample.
- 6 guests x 0.5 oz = 3 oz per whiskey; a four-whiskey flight is 12 oz total.
- 8 guests x 0.5 oz = 4 oz per whiskey; a four-whiskey flight is 16 oz total.
- 8 guests x 0.5 oz = 4 oz per whiskey; a five-whiskey flight is 20 oz total.
Measure every round
A marked measure is more reliable than free-pouring. Pour the complete round before discussion begins so a lively conversation does not quietly change the sample size. For high-proof samples, consider a smaller volume. Adding water changes concentration and perception, but it does not remove alcohol from the glass.