A Master Bourbon Distiller Shares 4 Tips For Tasting Whisky (2024)

FAQs

A Master Bourbon Distiller Shares 4 Tips For Tasting Whisky? ›

The age of the whisky is therefore the most important criterion for the order of tasting. If there is no age on the bottle, it is between two and four years. The second criterion is the grain blend. Then comes the type and treatment of the cask - the darker the whisky, the more intense the flavour.

The age of the whisky is therefore the most important criterion for the order of tasting. If there is no age on the bottle, it is between two and four years. The second criterion is the grain blend. Then comes the type and treatment of the cask - the darker the whisky, the more intense the flavour.

Slowly swirl it around your mouth and begin chewing on the bourbon. Chewing it allows your palate to experience the bourbon itself. After you have done this, you can swallow. Once you swallow, breathe out, (this releases the ethanol taste), and smack your lips a few times.

THE LOOK. First things first – take a look at your dram. You can tell a lot about the whisky in your glass from the way it looks because the colour of single malt whisky is heavily influenced by how it's been matured. To judge the colour of the whisky, simply hold your glass up to a neutral background and look closely.

Complexity of flavors

A good whisky contains intricate combinations of flavors and is able to stand alone. You're usually able to appreciate all the flavour profile combos going on within a single sip. Not all flavors in a good whisky will come out in the same intensity.

Drink Bourbon with Water

Another way to enjoy a bourbon pour is with a splash of water. Be careful here as you don't want to dilute the taste too much, but just a few drops of water will help take off the heat and spice notes, allowing some sweetness to come through.

“Tasting” isn't the same as “drinking.”

The goal is to evaluate and enjoy the whiskey, not get smashed. Sip a little bit at a time (no shooting!) and consider using a spit bucket, just as you would for a wine tasting.

Neat: If you know which brand or variety of whisky you want and you want it on its own, it only really takes three words: “Ballantine's neat please”. Ice: If you're after neat whisky but want it chilled, you can simply ask for it 'on the rocks' and it'll automatically be served over ice.

Two fingers is an old way of measuring spirits, the equivalent of two finger widths, and useful only if you do not have any other way of measuring out equal pours. It's not a particularly good unit of measure as the volume poured will vary with the diameter of the glass you're using.

Taste through the whiskey once, add some drops of water, and try it again. Adding warm or hot water to your whiskey will subsequently open up the whiskey's pores (whiskey itself is indeed a very porous drink). This will instantly take down the alcoholic content and raise sweet, floral, and briny flavor notes instead.

What makes a bourbon taste smooth? ›

One of the most significant factors in determining the smoothness of a whiskey is its formulation. Bourbon, for example, must be made from a minimum of 51% corn, and this percentage is often much higher.

The simplest way to enjoy your whisky is neat, cleansing your palate with cool water between sips. Some people also add a few drops of water to their whisky, which can open up the flavors as the liquids combine. Experiment to see what works for you, but go slowly. Don't add too much water at once.

Of course, all tastings are to be done with the whisky “neat” to start (i.e., undiluted, and served at room temperature with no ice or frozen whisky “rocks”). You then move along with serial dilutions, using small amounts of water at a time. It can also be fun to experiment with various types of mixed drinks on ice.

Before tasting, make sure your own pallet is cleansed with some water to remove any tastes already in your mouth. Then, sip a small amount of whiskey and let it coat all the parts of your tongue. You should hold the whiskey in your mouth for at least 30 seconds to observe all the flavors in your mouth.