About Whiskeys (Tasting 101)

Tasting 101 (Or at any Proof for that Matter) - A Quick Guide for Whiskey Tasting Intended for Novices and Beginners

1. Selecting your Spirit

It can be overwhelming.  In fact, if you are not overwhelmed by the labels and variety available to you then you are in the wrong shop. 

The number one rule to follow when choosing a whiskey is: “Drink what you like”; Try to pay little attention to price (That is to say, within reason and your budget comfort zone).  More expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better quality.  There are many, many great whiskeys to be had for less than forty dollars. 

Maybe you don’t know what you like.  If that’s the case, you can use published tasting notes as a guide, so long as you remember that your palette may not align with that of the reviewer’s.   Use information from reviews and industry journals judiciously and with discretion.  And if you do decide to purchase based on the opinion of a reviewer, please be certain to only use a trusted source. (Like the notes published from the Barrel and Mash Society at http://www.whiskeyrescue.com)

If you choose to go at it alone, you can refer to the chart below to help gauge GENERAL characteristics of the major whiskey varietals.  Every whiskey is different and contains its own set of unique traits; the chart below is intended to be broad and used as a basic reference only.

2. The Tasting Environment

Perhaps the most overlooked element of tasting a fine whiskey is the environment in which it is tasted.  As you are attempting to ascertain the details and subtleties that your whiskey is offering, you should be in a setting that is conducive to your task.

Comfort and relaxation should top your list of factors to consider when choosing a spot to settle in and enjoy your spirit.  Keep in mind that you are going to be there a while.  You’re not “shooting down” some swill offered to you at a night club or from a paper sack.  You have taken the time to select and procure a whiskey that is meaningful to you in one way or another.  And in many cases, may have expended a respectable sum of money on it.  You deserve to be afforded the opportunity to experience and discover all that your whiskey has to offer.

Be certain there is good light.  You will need adequate lighting to help you distinguish the coloration and other visible characteristics.  Make sure you have access to some nice, room temperature, unflavored spring water.  Especially with the Barrel Proof whiskeys, you may want or need a little water to help bring down the proof to a comfortable level for you and/or to help release the rest of the flavor spectrum.

Bring a friend.  Throughout the ages, whiskey has been in attendance during: meetings of state, business dealings and countless other social engagements.   Enjoying a fine whiskey is a time honored tradition and is truly a social event.   Sharing the experience with a friend or colleague bolsters the process and adds to the overall enjoyment. 

If you have difficulty finding a friend to enjoy your whiskey alongside, then drop the Barrel and Mash Society a line (http://www.whiskeyrescue.com).  We’ll gladly show up and have sip with you.

Above all: TAKE YOUR TIME.  Each whiskey is different and every good whiskey wants to reveal its personality.  The story of its life can take some time to tell.  Listen to it and listen to it well; YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED.

3. We don’t take Plastic – Selecting a Glass

There is a wealth of information and countless opinions on selecting a drinking vessel for your whiskey.  Myths, pretentions and nonsense abound on the subject.  We could spend tens of thousands of words on the subject ourselves, but for the sake of efficiency and significance we will water it down (With room temperature, unflavored, spring water) a bit.

The only real rule to follow when selecting a vessel is to simply make certain that its glass.  Glass is non-reactive to the whiskey and will never alter its flavor; provided that it’s clean and is free of any surfacing treatments.  

The glass should be clear and transparent to allow you to notice the color, texture and viscosity of your spirit. 

If selecting a stemmed or curved glass, minimal visual distortion should be present in and around the curves and stem joints.

Traditionally, there are two primary glass types that have been employed for fine whiskeys: the tumbler and the snifter.

The tumbler is a great choice for higher proof whiskeys.  It facilitates the dissemination of the bouquet quickly and disperses it over a wide area; this helps prevent shock to the nose from the stronger alcohol.  Generally speaking, the tumbler is produced from thicker glass and will slow down the transmission of body heat from your hand.  This slow warming with higher proof whiskeys, in particular bourbons, will allow for pleasant flavor transitions as you drink.

The snifter is an excellent choice for more mild selections, in particular, whiskeys that are much softer and subtle in the nose.  The bulbous bottom allows for the collection of the aroma and permits it to be dispersed slowly and in a concentrated fashion.  This will give the drinker a better chance to catch the more elusive elements of the bouquet.  The stemming that is common to the snifter allows the drinker to limit the amount of body heat that is transmitted to the whiskey, keeping the flavor constant throughout the drink.  Again, allowing more time to ascertain the lighter and milder details that sometimes stay hidden.

All in all, the choice is yours alone.  Find something you like.  You are building your own tasting experience.

4. The Pour

This is the easy part.  Just open up, give the cork a quick sniff for signs of cork taint, mold or mildew, and pour directly into the center of your glass. 

We suggest that the whiskey be served neat and at room temperature, but if you are poring over ice (on the rocks), pour directly in the center of the ice.

With regard to amount of pour, a good rule of thumb (actually index finger) for pouring neat is to pour an amount of your whiskey sufficient to attain the height of two index fingers positioned as your grip the glass. 

When poring over ice, fill half the volume of the glass with cracked ice and pour enough whiskey to cover the ice.

That’s it… You’re ALMOST THERE.  GOOD THINGS TO COME SOON.

5. This is what you’ve signed up for – TASTING

A multisensory experience, tasting is really made up of four elemental phases: The Visual, The Bouquet, The Taste and The Finish.

The Visual:  Take a good, long look at the whiskey as it sits at rest in the glass.  Look from the top, from the side even the bottom.  Don’t be afraid to tip the glass and hold it up directly to the light.  Notice the color and opacity.  Take notice of the color consistency.  Pay mind to the perceived “brightness”.   

Now give it a small swirl or just agitate it a bit.  Notice the whiskey’s viscosity and “thickness” on the glass.  Take note of its surface tension; some whiskeys have a stronger “top” than others.

The Bouquet:  Remember that a large factor in taste is aroma.  Get your nose in there; but be careful, if you’ve selected a higher proof offering your nose may be in for a challenge.  Take smells of varying duration and at differing distance from the glass.  Blow across the top a little; really make an effort to take in the full complement of aromas.  Chances are your whiskey will have several distinct smells to enjoy.  You may be surprised what you find: maybe some caramel, or toffee common in many types of bourbon.   Perhaps some pepper or hay found in many ryes.  You may even find something entirely new and unexpected: popcorn perhaps.   Always keep in mind that this is fun and a bit of an adventure.

The Taste:  Finally the payoff.  Try and feel the whiskey first; the weight and texture on the tongue.  Then maybe look for a spiciness or burn on the lips.  (Or even the absence of such)  Try not to swallow right away but don’t allow your whiskey to linger either.  Coat your entire palette and search, search, search.  Look for the whiskey’s story.  It could be earthy, or savory; maybe there is some nuttiness or even a coffee.  Leather can be common as can tobacco.   It may be smooth as silk or sharp as a knife.  There is only one way to find out: bottoms up and keep tasting. 

The Finish:  After you do swallow the show is not yet over; a combination of aroma, texture and flavor remains, usually in the back of the mouth.   Allow it to permeate through your nose.  Pay close attention as the taste that remains might be very different than the first volley of flavor you experienced on your tongue.  Some whiskeys finish quickly and others can remain for over a minute. 

Be patient and observant and always, ENJOY!