Whiskey Master Class

The reality for most and for me many moons ago was, I didn’t know how to taste whiskey and what exactly was I tasting or trying to taste. Hence, I thought I’d share my findings from my journey to the dark side. Below is my quick step by step guide to becoming a whiskey drinker, or at the very least you will be able to maximize your enjoyment of the taste.

Where possible, choose a corn-based whiskey (Single Grain Whiskey) or a gentle blended whiskey. While you might not have a proper whiskey tasting glass, most of us will have a brandy glass. This style of glass would be the nearest to most whiskey tasting glasses.

Pour a half or full measure, depending on your plans for the evening. Leave adding any ice or mineral for the moment. If you are a first-time whiskey drinker, perhaps add a teaspoon of water to your glass. Always, where possible, hold the glass by the stem or base. By holding the globe of any glass, you are adjusting the temperature of the liquid in the glass with your body heat.

Swirl the whiskey in the glass, gently. Do this for a few seconds, then blow into the glass. This will help get rid of most of the esters from the alcohol as it is these esters that can burn your nose when you first ‘nose a whiskey’. Swirl again, and slowly put your nose near the opening of the glass but, only for a moment or two as you don’t want to feel the burn. A quick nose on a whiskey is usually sufficient.

Any alternative way to expose the nose of a whiskey is to put a drop on the palm of your hand and rub your hands together; then cup your hands and gently nose.

Depending on your familiarity with whiskey, if unsure, always start with a small amount of the liquid, roll it around your palate and swallow. For the experienced whiskey drinker, keep your mouth closed, breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. This will most certainly open up the flavour profiles in your whiskey, as well as the heat.

Now you are probably shaking your head and thinking you hate whiskey more than ever but wait, what are you feeling, tasting?

For most, the first thing that will get you is the burn from the alcohol. Your gums are feeling a bit hot and tight and with heavier whiskeys you may feel your

HOW TO TASTE WHISKEY

- A Journey To The Dark Side

Whiskey, whisky and more whisk(e)y, there are so many new and wonderful distilleries popping up all over this beautiful island of ours; some will say they don’t care for this amber nectar but today I ask that you give these few tricks a try and they might just change your mind or at the very least, pique your interest.

entire mouth tighten. This is a mix of the tannin from the wood and the strength of the alcohol, which is the biggest culprit for most not enjoying whiskey or spirits in general. Tannin will always dissipate and as your mouth waters, so will the alcohol.

Time to focus on the feel/body of the whiskey and how it tastes. Typical taste profile from corn-based whiskeys, would be gentle oak, soft, sweet tones and possibly floral notes.

Always take small sips, even let it roll gently around the palate to pick up anything you missed the first time. By now you probably have some opinion, whether it is a like or dislike, it is still an opinion. Sláinte.