How to Taste Whisky Correctly

Whisky is a multifaceted spirit. It requires only three ingredients, yet there is an incredible diversity of flavors. How do you best bring out its attributes, or more pertinently, how do you taste whisky? Read on and learn how to experience whisky at its finest.

Welcome to our new section, How to Whisky. In this section, we'll tell you everything about the divine drink: from tasting tips to whisky trivia you might not yet be aware of. We'll also answer frequently asked questions about this heavenly liquor. In this first article, we will begin by answering the question: how do you taste whisky properly?

Whisky drinking is something everyone can do. However, a little expertise is needed if you want to truly appreciate its nuances. In this article, we guide you on how to taste this divine drink properly in five steps.

The whisky tasting experience comprises four different aspects: scent, color, taste, and consistency. To appreciate all these elements properly, the choice of a glass is very important.

A standard glass may be perfectly fine for cola, but a Glencairn glass, a Copita glass, a Neat Glass, or a Tulip glass will do more justice to the aromas of whisky, preventing you from getting a nose full of alcohol right away.

Once you've poured a dram, it's time for the visual inspection. How does the whisky in your glass look? What color is the spirit in the glass, and can you recognize anything about the cask that was used?

While the color does not say anything about the taste or the age, it is a clear indication of the influence of a cask. The darker the color, the greater the influence a cask, or barrels, have had on the drink.

Tip: Gently swirl the whisky in the glass and observe how the liquid 'clings' to the side of the glass. The 'legs' or 'tears' of the whisky often tell you something about the character of the drink. The slower the droplets fall, the oilier the whisky.

You might not know it, but everyone has a scent memory. Just as you remember different moments in your life, you also retain memories of different smells.

That cake from your happiest birthday, the floral perfume of your beloved, and the smell of that old-fashioned sweet shop. These are just a few examples of scent memories.

Carefully smell your glass from different angles. Partly open your mouth to enhance your sense of smell. What kind of aromas does the whisky possess? There could be as many as two hundred, and how a whisky smells is a very personal experience. So, take your time to absorb it all.

Fun fact: Glenmorangie has an entire whisky series based on scent memories.

After sniffing, it's time to taste. Take a small sip of whisky on the tip of your tongue. What do you taste? Is the whisky oily or does it dry your mouth? Let the whisky roll over and under your tongue.

Different taste receptors for sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami are spread all over your tongue. Try to get the whisky to touch each side, explore like an adventurer.

Take your time to determine what is dominant and what's underneath. What does the whisky remind you of?

Tip: For Cask Strength whisky use a drop of water. This reduces the alcohol percentage in your glass and elevates the flavors of the whisky.

The fifth step is swallowing the whisky. Unbelievable as it may seem, the whisky drinking experience does not end in your throat. The finish is part of the tasting notes of many whiskies for a reason.

This term refers to the flavors that the whisky leaves in the throat and how long they linger. One whisky might be gone in seconds, while others may last longer. The taste of the whisky can also be very different in the throat.

Sometimes, a hint of smoke will pass by, or you may detect a touch of sweet fruit. Moreover, a whisky can be smooth in the finish, but it could also provide a warming or even tingling farewell.

Tasting notes are very personal. Everyone's memory, including scent and taste, is different. There's no right or wrong in whisky tasting. If you jot down your tasting notes in a book, you'll always have a sort of diary about your whiskies and the tastes they offer.

This way, you can not only easily find the one whisky you particularly liked but also easily compare the flavors.