How to Whisky: Elevate Your Tasting with Scent Memory

Sunday, 14 September 2025 at 15:03

Tasting whisky is far more than just taking a sip and saying it's 'tasty'. It's now known that whisky often has hints of vanilla and caramel fudge. But what does whisky truly do to you? We'll give you a tip on how to find out using your olfactory memory and truly taste whisky.

FAQ

How do you taste whisky with your olfactory memory?
Olfactory memory is your ability to recognize and associate smells with past memories or experiences.

Why is it important for whisky?
Smelling whisky activates your taste perception. Recognizing smells helps you distinguish subtle notes like vanilla, peat, or citrus.

How do I train my olfactory memory to taste whisky better?
By regularly smelling spices, types of wood, fruit, and other aromas, and actively associating them with memories or examples.

Tasting whisky begins with smell then moves on to taste

When you hold a glass of whisky in your hand, you always start by looking at the whisky, followed quickly by the smell. Raise the glass to your nose and take small, calm sniffs.

Don't hold the glass too close to your nose, but gently move it under your nose. Smell with your individual nostrils and at different angles of the glass. This could make a huge difference.

The taste is completely unimportant at this point. Your nose can recognize more than 200 smells, but you can only distinguish 5 tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

Your memories guide your olfactory memory

Your olfactory memory kicks in during the smelling process. Focus on what you recognize: smoke, honey, apple or perhaps a hint of leather. These initial impressions set the tone for the flavors you'll experience later.

Our brain associates smell with memory. The smell of fresh bread or a baked apple can take you back to your grandmother's kitchen, while a hint of peat may remind you of a campfire on the beach.

Do you smell a lot of vanilla or sweetness? This might bring back a delectable dessert during a holiday or take you back to that candy shop on the street.

The richer your olfactory memory, the easier you can recognize and name the subtle nuances in whisky.

Tips to train your olfactory memory to taste whisky better

But how do you train your olfactory memory? We have a few tips to transform your nose into a master of identifying smells.

Create a scent collection: Save jars of spices, coffee, nuts or wood and smell them daily or purchase an aroma set.
Focus on one smell at a time: Try to distinguish the present aromas and compare them with previous experiences.
Keep practicing: The more you activate your olfactory memory, the more smells you can recognize in complex whiskies.
Take your time: Tasting whisky is a slow process; don't rush it.

Now that we've enriched your knowledge on identifying smells, it's time to put this into practice.

We are very curious to know what you'll recognize when you smell a glass in the future.