Your Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Bourbon Tasting Party

Here’s why we like tasting parties. They’re the best way to make your imbibing an education endeavor (wink, wink). The flavor variety in bourbon is something worth exploring. You’ve got your sweet vanilla and caramel, fruit and floral, and spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, plus wood and grain flavors. Having a bourbon-themed party is a fun way to learn something new, whether your guests are casual drinkers or passionate bourbon connoisseurs. Here are some tips and ideas for hosting the classiest bourbon tasting y’all ever did see.

Tulip shaped glassware is recommended by most experts to showcase bourbon’s flavors. Other glasses will work, just make sure the mouth of the glass is larger than a typical shot glass so you can get the full aroma. Here, a bourbon tasting is set up with a collection of antique crystal decanters and vintage cocktail glassware for some real old-world charm. (via Garden and Gun)

Glencairn glasses ($10) are famous for being the perfect tasting glass; they’re short curvy glasses that concentrate the aromas coming off the bourbon in a way that typical wide-mouthed glasses can’t.

Not sure which bourbons to choose? You basically have two options here. Either go with a wide variety of whichever bourbon strikes your fancy, or you could go with something a little more organized like a selection of bourbons with similar qualities. Choose something mainstream to start with so your guests have a base for comparison. Here are some sample lineups from Beautiful Booze:

Small Batch Bourbons: Jefferson’s Presidential Select, Angel’s Envy, Marker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Rowans’s Creek, Basil Hayden’s and 1792 Ridgemont Reserve

Single Barrel Bourbons: Russell’s Reserve, Four Roses Single Barrel, Rock Hill Farms, Blanton’s, Eagle Rare, Mitcher’s, Willett Pot Still Reserve, and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve

Craft Bourbons: Dry Fly Bourbon, Waitsburg Bourbon Whiskey from OOLA and Barrel Raider Bourbon Whiskey from Batch 206.

Pour one ounce of each bourbon into each tasting glass. You only need about a finger width for a good taste. As the host, make sure you give your guests instructions on how to fully appreciate a tasting. Bourbon is evaluated on four attributes — appearance, aroma, taste and finish. (photo via The Knot)

The appearance of bourbon is used to evaluate its maturity. The darker the whiskey, the older and higher the proof. If it’s too strong, try adding a little water. That can open up the flavor and bring out fruity tones. Swirl the glass two to three times, then take three short sniffs to identify various aromas.

Now comes the good part — the drinking. The tasting itself is a two-step process: First, take a small sip and swish it around your mouth before swallowing. Notice how it affects your palate. Then taste it again to judge the finish. Is it short or long? Warm and pleasant or hot and dry? Experts suggest limiting a tasting to four or five bourbons. If you start sampling too many, you’ll lose your taste buds. (photo via Elizabeth Ann Designs)

A tasting place mat will keep each taster organized, and notepaper will help them keep track of their thoughts and opinions. When the party is over, they can take their tasting notes home and remember which bourbons they enjoyed. Oh, and you know we’re going to provide you with a free printable.

Or try making your own tasting menu with a mix of fonts like this one. (via MM Times)

Orange slices are recommended for a bourbon tasting, because the fruit brings out the different notes in the bourbon. Lemon and lime garnishes are also nice to have on hand if your guests want to experiment with different flavors. (via Beautiful Booze)

Now for the food! You can’t have a bourbon tasting without cheese! Aged parmesan is a good choice. Dried cherries or cranberries are essential when doing a tasting because the tartness balances the natural bitterness of bourbon. Dark chocolate and walnuts deepen, yet mellow the flavor, while crackers act as a palate cleanser. Home-made ones are the way we would go. (via Eat Drink Pretty)

If you want to go all out, start thinking about a themed menu with something like smoked ribs, bourbon baked beans and a pecan pie to complement the caramel tones of the bourbon. Some other tradition pairings are bacon, peaches, maple syrup, berries and corn. (image via New South Food Co)

On the sweeter side of things, you could do a bourbon-themed dessert table complete with bourbon balls, bourbon cherry tartlets and salted caramel bourbon milkshakes!

Are you inspired to host a bourbon tasting? Let us know in the comments below!

Wellness in 2025is not just about personal health, but also the spaces we live in. The latest trends in wellness focus on a holistic approach that balances the body, mind, and your environment. From smart technologies to ancient healing practices, these 17 wellness trends are set to transform how we care for ourselves and our homes. Whether you’re looking to improve your mental health, your physical well-being, or simply create a more nurturing space, these trends will help you experience 2025 with a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.

Here are 17 wellness trends we're excited about in 2025.

Digital Detox Retreats

Darina Belonogova

The constant need to check emails, texts, and social media has led to burnout and stress. The American Psychological Associations' Stress in America survey found that a fifth of U.S. adults cited technology use as a significant source of stress in their life. Constantly being plugged in can affect both our mental and physical health. Taking a conscious break from screens to reconnect with ourselves and others will become a necessity in 2025. Expect even wellness retreats to offer more phone-free spaces and adventures. (See The White Lotus season 3, episode 1!). Whether it’s an hour a day or a weekend getaway, we allow our minds to rest and reduce the overwhelming feeling caused by information overload.

Saunas Everywhere

Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev

At-home saunas are the latest self care status symbol and will continue to trend into 2025 as they become more affordable (this portable sauna from Target is only $150!). Urban saunas, floating saunas, even speed-dating saunas are bringing this ancient tradition back and making it more accessible. Sauna blankets help improve circulation, detoxification through sweating, and relaxation of muscles and joints. A regular sauna routine can help reduce stress, promote better sleep, and boost heart health. The heat is also good for skin and your body's recover post-workout. Community saunas and bathhouses are also gaining in popularity, especially among younger generations who prefer the social aspect with phones and other distractions.

Train Travel

courtesy of The Royal Scotsman

Trains are competing with spas and resorts to offer wellness-focused journeys. London's LNER Wellness Train offers activities like knitting, macrame, doodling, meditation, and games. The Golden Chariot in South India offers a spa and fitness experience while the Royal Scotsman has a Dior Spa Carriage and offers views of the Scottish Highlands for a low-stress travel experience.

Gentle Workouts

Scarlett Alexandra DeGregorio

High-impact exercises can often leave our bodies feeling strained. By incorporating gentle exercise into your fitness routine, you allow your body to move in a way that reduces stress and tension. Workouts like yoga, pilates, or walking, help you become more in tune with your breathing and heart rate, which helps you feel calm. It's a great way to reach your 2025 fitness goals while also improving your mental health.

AI-Driven Wellness Devices

Kaboompics.com

Biohacking wellness trends like tracking sleep, nutrition, and exercise are helping people optimize their health and potentially their life span. According to a recent McKinsey report, more than 60 percent of people have said it’s extremely or very important to purchase longevity products, and 70 percent are planning to buy more products in the future. Wearable robotics are continuing to drive this trend, and allowing more people to turn their healthcare into a lifestyle, rather than waiting for an annual checkup. People are also using at-home diagnostic tools and e-health services to manage their health at home.

Smarter Supplements 

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich

According to SuperAge, supplements are getting smarter, more personalized, and adaptive to individual needs, thanks to AI, biomarker testing, and genetic insights. Formulas targeting menopause, hormonal balance, and fertility are becoming a major focus for women's health too. Shop immunity supplements, nootropics (for focus and memory), multivitamins and more on Amazon's health and wellness site.

Wellness Gardens

Billie Lentz

Wellness gardens are the perfect escape from the bustle of daily life, and can promote health and wellness with thoughtfully curated elements like aromatic plants, water features, and comfortable seating. Greenery, soothing sounds, and sitting outdoors in nature can encourage you to be more mindful and less stressed while homegrown food, herbs, and edible flowers nourish you for the season.

Functional Medicine

Cora Pursley

Functional medicine is a personalized, science-based approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease rather than just treating symptoms. It considers genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors to create individualized treatment plans, emphasizing nutrition, gut health, and holistic wellness for long-term health and disease prevention. Functional foods are nutrient-rich foods that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition — so foods filled with vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, or probiotics to support digestion, boost immunity, or reduce inflammation. Examples include fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi, which promote gut health, or fatty fish like salmon, rich in omega-3s, which support heart health. Next time you food shop, look out for these foods and incorporate them into daily meals to enhance your overall wellness and help prevent chronic health conditions.

Light Therapy

Jemilla Mills-Smith

An estimated 10 million Americans are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), according to Psychology Today. Designing your home for better natural light, especially in winter, can help regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, improving sleep quality and energy levels. Use sheer curtains in active spaces like the kitchen, living room, and home office, and open up blinds to allow as much natural light in, stimulating vitamin D production to keep bone health and immune function in check. Mentally, natural light has been shown to boost mood, reduce stress, and alleviate symptoms of depression by increasing serotonin levels. It can also improve focus, productivity, and creativity while you work. For long winter nights, invest in a light therapy lamp too.

Wellness Journaling

Hannah Newberry

Wellness journaling helps you track your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. By documenting your daily habits, moods, and goals, you can start to see patterns, manage stress, and focus mindfulness and on your personal growth. Check out this Papier journal for tracking your 2025 wellness goals.

Smart Indoor Air Monitors

Mikhail Nilov

Improving indoor air quality is so important for a healthy home. According to the EPA, Americans, on average, spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where the concentrations of pollutants can be 2 to 5 times higher than they are outdoors. Open windows when possible or use air purifiers with HEPA filters to reduce allergens, dust, and pollutants. Houseplants like snake plants and spider plants can also help purify the air naturally. Regularly clean and vacuum to keep dust mites and mold at bay, and avoid using harsh chemical cleaners that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Invest in a smart air quality monitor to give yourself peace of mind.

Water Filtration Systems

Ron Lach

Home water filtration is becoming a vital wellness trend, as people seek cleaner, safer drinking water. Advanced filtration systems remove contaminants like chlorine, lead, and bacteria, and eco-conscious designs, such as reverse osmosis and carbon filters, improve water quality while reducing our reliance on bottled water. Shower filtration systems are a great way to keep chlorine, heavy metals, and other impurities out of your tap water, which can cause dryness, irritation, and dullness. Have dry skin or scalp? Shower filters help maintain skin’s natural moisture barrier and can be gentler on sensitive skin.

Sleep Divorcing

Photo by Kampus Production

A sleep divorce, when you sleep in separate beds or rooms to get a better night's sleep, can save your marriage. While it may sound extreme, many couples find that it improves both their sleep and relationship. Snoring, differing sleep schedules, or constant tossing and turning can keep you and your partner up all night, leading to fatigue and irritability (never great for communication). Sleep divorce is about prioritizing your health and theirs, and many couples report feeling more refreshed, connected, and happier in their relationships as a result. Not ready for a sleep divorce? Try this Scandinavian sleep method.

Modern Pilgrimaging

Spencer Wirkkala

Modern pilgrimages, where you or you with a group travel to a sacred or meaningful site, nature retreat, or cultural landmark, with an emphasis on mindfulness, inner growth, and personal transformation, are forecasted to grow in 2025 as more people seek community and the great outdoors. Many people seek these experiences as a way to disconnect from daily routines, practice meditation, or explore new spiritual perspectives.

Dry Brushing

Vlada Karpovich

I always think of Gwyneth Paltrow when I think of dry brushing. She showed us during her typical Goop-inspired shower routine that she never takes a shower without one. It simply involves brushing your skin with a natural-bristle brush to exfoliate dead cells and stimulate circulation. It can help improve skin texture, unclog pores, and promote lymphatic drainage, which supports detoxification. Regular dry brushing may reduce the appearance of cellulite, increase energy, and leave the skin feeling smoother and more refreshed. For best results, brush before your shower for max benefits.

Sexual Health

Ketut Subiyanto

Sexual wellness is becoming less taboo for 2025. As conversations around sexual health become more normalized, products and services like sex education, therapy, and health-enhancing products will become more accessible. Trends include the rise of personalized sexual health solutions, such as tailored supplements and tech-enabled devices for a better sex life. Platforms offering education, therapy, and community support will also grow, empowering us to explore our sexual wellness in a holistic, shame-free way.

Wild Swimming

Büşranur Aydın

Water wellness, a growing trend in 2025, emphasizes the health benefits of hydration and water-based therapies, like hydrotherapy (hot baths, cold plunges, steam rooms) to relieve pain, improve circulation, and reduce stress. Float therapy (a float tank filled with Epsom salt water), mineral baths using magnesium and sulfur to detoxify the body, and swimming in hot springs for relaxation, muscle tension relief, and improving circulation are giving rise to the therapeutic benefits of our natural waters.

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If you're a 90s movies (and horror movies) lover, you might agree that nothing beats an old school slasher. I Know What You Did Last Summer, which stars Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Freddie Prinze Jr., premiered in 1997, combines everything we love about coming of age movies — friends, summer vacation, and drama — with just enough terror to send a chill down your spine. And just like the original, the new I Know What You Did Last Summer features some of the hottest names in Hollywood.

Everything you need to know about the new I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel movie, coming to theaters July 18, 2025.

Is there a 3rd I Know What You Did Last Summer?

Columbia Pictures

Yes, a brand new I Know What You Did Last Summer is coming to theaters this summer. But just because it's a new film doesn't mean it won't have plenty of nostalgia.

"There's lots of '90s in there, so get excited because the '90s are back again!" Jennifer Love Hewitt, who's returning for the movie, told People. "And there's lots of twists and turns. I don't think people are going to expect anything that's coming. It's a really fun ride."

"We approached it like super fans, so I think people are going to be really happy," writer-director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson added. "All the things that you want to see in this movie, you're going to see in this movie."

Who's in the I Know What You Did Last Summer cast?

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue/Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images/Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Amazon

The new I Know What You Did Last Summer cast features some familiar faces as well as some new ones. Here's the full cast list:

  • Freddie Prinze Jr. as Ray Bronson
  • Jennifer Love Hewitt as Julie James
  • Lola Tung
  • Nicholas Alexander Chavez
  • Austin Nichols
  • Gabbriette
  • Madelyn Cline
  • Sarah Pidgeon
  • Tyriq Withers
  • Jonah Hauer-King
  • Chase Sui Wonders

What is I Know What You Did Last Summer about?

Brook Rushton/Sony Pictures

In the new I Know What You Did Last Summer, five friends accidentally cause a deadly car accident and agree to keep the secret forever. But when someone starts terrorizing them the next year, they reach out to Julie and Ray for help. And Jennifer Love Hewitt can't get enough of this new "phenomenal" cast!

"It's for them to make it their own and for me to stand by like a proud mom and say, 'It's yours now, take it and run and enjoy,'" she told People.

"When you get a group of young actors together, it can be a recipe for disaster oftentimes," Chase Sui Wonders added. "But everyone in this cast just brought it to the nth degree. We all got along so well. The chemistry between us was so fun and natural and seamless."

Do Revenge's Jennifer Kaytin Robinson is directing and co-writing alongside Sam Lansky.

When is I Know What You Did Last Summer coming out?

Matt Kennedy/Sony Pictures

The new movie will hit theaters July 18, 2025.

Where did I Know What You Did Last Summer film?

Brook Rushton/Sony Pictures

I Know What You Did Last Summer filmed in Australia from October 2024 to March 2025.

Let us know what you're excited to see in the I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot on Facebook!

This post has been updated.

My favorite part about spring is finally being able to open the windows and let the fresh air in. The sound of birds chirping and the scent of jasmine drifting inside instantly lifts my mood. It’s not just in my head too — studies show that scent, emotion, and memory are deeply intertwined. A familiar fragrance can bring back happy memories and boost your mood, while unpleasant odors can do the opposite. If you're craving that same fresh feeling all year round, here are a few easy ways to infuse your home with your favorite scents without a lot of effort.

Here are six easy ways to make your home smell amazing.

Shutterstock

1. Simmer Your Scent

Toss sliced oranges, lemons, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and a sprig of rosemary into a pot of water. Let it gently simmer on the stove, and your home will smell like a cozy spa-meets-bakery hybrid. Try different combos like apple + star anise or lavender + lemon.

Homecourt

2. Clean With Scented, Sustainable Cleaners

Start with a clean, fresh canvas for spring by giving your home a good scrub. I'm in love with Homecourt scents (Courtney Cox's brand of cleaners), including the Neroli Leaf and Cipres Mint, all made with sustainable ingredients.

Or try this DIY citrus + herb air spray. In a spray bottle, combine:

  • 1 cup distilled water
  • 1 tbsp witch hazel (to help disperse oils)
  • 10–15 drops of essential oils (like lemon, grapefruit, or eucalyptus)
  • Optional: a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or mint

Shake well and spritz around the house for a burst of freshness.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

3. Bake!

Nothing beats the smell of fresh-baked cookies and breads. Here's an even easier way to trick your nose: warm a teaspoon of vanilla extract in the oven at 300°F for 15–20 minutes. It gives off a sweet, bakery-like scent with zero effort.

Shutterstock

4. DIY A Scented Carpet Refresher

Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 10–15 drops of essential oil (lavender, tea tree, or cedarwood work well). Sprinkle over rugs or carpets, let sit for 20 minutes, then vacuum. It lifts odors and leaves behind a soft, lingering scent.

Anthropologie

5. Use Candles Or Diffuse Essential Oils

Choose essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, or sweet orange for a clean, soothing scent. No diffuser? Add a few drops to a bowl of steaming water. These top-rated candles from Anthropologie are also a great way to set the mood and infuse the air with a friendly scent.

Bouqs

6. Bring in Fresh Flowers and Herbs

It's spring! Treat yourself to a flower subscription or grab a bouquet at Trader Joe's. Houseplants, bundles of eucalyptus in the shower, or even a vase of fresh basil on the kitchen counter can lightly scent your space while adding a touch of life and color.

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