Whiskey Tasting Finest Points

Walk into any bar, restaurant, or liquor store and the liquor offering is staggering. There are literally thousands of vodkas, gins, whiskeys and spirits available to the consumer. While wine and beer tastings have been popular for a number of years, whiskey tastings are just beginning to find an audience. The reason? The idea of ​​drinking spirits alone can be extremely difficult for a person to grasp. Many may find the idea of ​​slowly sipping a single malt Scotch whiskey or bourbon overwhelming. Enjoying liqueurs on their own, that is, without mixers, has always been considered an “acquired taste”. However, while your taste buds may not be acclimated to a single malt Scotch whiskey if you’ve never tried one, there are some basic practices you can employ to make the experience a pleasurable one and open your palate to the wonderful flavors of the world. of spirits. has to offer.

If you’re tired of ordering the same old vodka tonic or cosmopolitan and want to try something new, the following tips can make your whiskey tasting experience more rewarding.

Why the apprehension?

One of the reasons that drinking hard liquor like whiskey can be a bit of a shock to your system is the fact that it has a high alcohol content. Many whiskeys have a proof of 80, which means that it is 40% alcohol by volume. There are some Scotch whiskeys and bourbons that can reach over 100 proofs. Compare that to wine, which is about 12-15% ABV, and beer, which can range from about 4-10% ABV, and you can see why spirits have a high impact. That hit can be felt immediately in the mouth as the “burn” of the alcohol can overshadow any of the flavors that are present in the spirit.

The tasting process

Now you know that alcohol is going to have an effect of your liking. So how do you go beyond that and really taste what the distillers have so carefully crafted for your enjoyment?

Tip #1-Know what you’re drinking.

You are about to taste bourbon for the first time. Do you know what bourbon is? What is it made of? This knowledge will help in the tasting process, and while you don’t have to be a bourbon expert to enjoy it, a little basic knowledge always helps. Bourbon is a whiskey whose predominant ingredient is corn and the secondary ingredient is wheat, rye or a combination of both. Knowing that small amount of information will already prepare your brain to process the taste. Additionally, the bourbon is aged in charred oak barrels. Again, this image can evoke additional flavor descriptions, such as woody or dry, even a burnt flavor. Charring brings out the sugars in the wood. Know that that could conjure up images of vanilla or caramel. Just a little knowledge will help prepare your senses on what to look for when tasting.

If you’re not sure what you’re drinking, check the bottle or ask your waiter or bartender. A little information can go a long way. My only caveat to this advice would be to initially avoid reading too many reviews online or in publications. Remember that a review is simply one man’s (or woman’s) opinion and specific and detailed descriptions can have too much influence on your mental palate.

Tip #2-The nose knows

Most of your taste comes from your sense of smell. As in wine or beer tasting, it is essential to smell or “sniff” the liquor before a drop touches your lips. This will bring out flavors in the liquid that you might not otherwise experience. However, with spirits, it is vital not to inhale too deeply. The reason is that rapidly inhaling the spirit will only trigger the smell of alcohol in your lungs and mouth, causing a burning sensation. This shock to the system will make it difficult for the actual scents of the spirit to come out. Instead, stick your nose into the glass just below the rim and allow the scent of the spirit to slowly enter your nostrils. By slowing down the “sniffing” process, you will allow your senses to first acclimate to the alcohol, but also allow the scents of the spirit to become apparent.

Tip #3-Let the whiskey come to you

Just like smelling the whiskey, the tasting shouldn’t feel like you’re at a college party. As the spirit enters your mouth, allow the liquid to flow across your entire tongue interacting with all of your taste buds. Again, this will allow the flavors to come out.

Also, take note of how the liquid feels in your mouth. Is it slimy, creamy or crunchy? Is it a bit oily or thin? Known as “mouthfeel,” this is an aspect of spirit that will be lost if you don’t take your time.

At this point, it’s important to mention that you don’t need to swallow the liquor if you’re really tasting, especially if you’re tasting multiple liquors in one sitting. Most, if not all, of the flavors of a spirit can be enjoyed by spitting out the liquid. This author has rarely, if ever, spit out a good liquor, but if he feels the urge, don’t worry, you’re missing out on the full tasting experience.

Tip #4-Pay attention to the exhalation.

Whether you have swallowed the spirits or deposited the liquid in a container, pay close attention to the first exhalation you make. With the actual liquid no longer in your mouth, you’ll be able to pick up flavors that might not otherwise be present. Also, take note of the length of the finish. Is it lingerie or is it short?

Tip #5-The addition of water

Many distillers will tell you that adding just a small amount of water will “open” a spirit, specifically whiskey, but it can also be useful in gin, vodka or rum, tequila. In addition to slightly reducing the proof, the addition of water can “open up” the liqueurs so that additional flavors can emerge. For a 1 ounce, the addition of just a drop or two of water will suffice. Try the liquor both pure and with water and you will have two different experiences.

Tip #6-Your taste memory

While keeping a tasting journal might work for some, don’t feel like you’re not taking spirits tasting seriously because you don’t write everything down. However, if you find something you like about a particular spirit, try making a mental note of what it is. Whether it’s the nose, the flavor or the finish, by making a conscious effort to identify what you enjoyed, you’ll be able to apply that “flavour memory” to the next whiskey you try.

There are what seems like countless tips on how to taste wine, beer, and spirits, and just like everyone’s individual taste, there’s no right or wrong way to go about it. Experiment, try different methods and find the right one for you. The idea of ​​trying something new is to get out of your comfort zone and expose yourself to new sights, smells, and tastes. Health!