How to taste the Best of Minnesota

How do you taste whiskey?

Whiskey is a complex drink and everyone’s senses of taste and smell differ. Therefore, a whiskey will taste different to each individual. However, there is a technique that will optimise your enjoyment when tasting a new whiskey:

1. Pour a half ounce to an ounce of the whiskey into a clean glass. Swirl the liquid around inside, noting its color, its aroma, and how the whiskey moves about. (Does it look thin, or does it have body?)
2. Exhale through your nose.
3. As you inhale through your nose, sip a bit of the whiskey. This brings volatile flavor notes into your nose.  Much of what we perceive as taste are actually scents that we smell.
4. While holding your breath, swish the whiskey around in your mouth being sure to wet down your tongue and the roof of your mouth. This gets all your taste sensing surfaces involved.
5. As you slowly exhale through your nose, slowly swallow the whiskey. Both activities should end at the same time.
6. Stop and savor the tastes, aromas and sensations in your mouth and nose.
7. Don’t make judgements about the whiskey after your first sip! Its only purpose is to awaken your mouth and get it ready to go to work.
8. Repeat the procedure for your second sip. This will get your senses calibrated and in good working order.
9. Your third sip should give you a good sense of the taste of the whiskey.

These and other whiskey tasting tip can be found, of course, in your copy of The Whiskey Road.

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