🥃 How to Do a Whiskey Taste Test
✅ 1. Choose Your Whiskeys
Decide what kind of comparison you want:
By type: e.g., Bourbon vs. Rye vs. Scotch vs. Irish Whiskey.
By region: e.g., Highlands vs. Islay Scotch.
By brand: e.g., various expressions from a single distillery.
By age: e.g., 10-year, 12-year, 18-year.
📝 Tip: 3–5 whiskeys is a manageable number for one tasting session.
✅ 2. Gather Supplies
Glasses: Use Glencairn glasses or tulip-shaped glasses for best aroma concentration.
Water: Both for sipping and adding a few drops to the whiskey.
Notebook or Tasting Sheet: For notes.
Neutral palate cleanser: Crackers or unsalted bread.
Optional: Dropper (for adding precise drops of water).
✅ 3. Pour the Whiskeys
Pour about ½ oz to 1 oz of each whiskey.
Arrange them in a logical order: usually lightest to heaviest in flavor or alcohol content.
Label the glasses if necessary.
✅ 4. The Tasting Process
A. Look (Appearance)
Hold the glass to the light.
Observe color: light gold, amber, mahogany?
Swirl it gently and look at the legs (the “tears” running down the glass). This can suggest texture or alcohol content.
B. Smell (Nose)
Swirl again.
Bring the glass to your nose and inhale gently.
Try to identify:
Fruits (apple, cherry, citrus?)
Spices (cinnamon, clove, pepper?)
Wood (oak, smoke, char?)
Others (vanilla, caramel, floral, medicinal?)
📝 Take notes. The nose will often evolve over time.
C. Taste (Palate)
Take a small sip and let it coat your tongue.
Breathe out through your nose while it’s in your mouth to enhance flavor perception.
Try to identify the flavors. Is it sweet, spicy, smoky, earthy?
D. Add a Few Drops of Water
This can “open up” the whiskey.
Taste again and compare.
E. Finish
Observe how long the flavors linger.
Is the finish short, medium, or long?
Do new flavors appear?
✅ 5. Take Notes
Use a simple format:
Name:
ABV / Proof:
Color:
Nose:
Palate:
Finish:
Overall Impression:
You can rate each on a scale (e.g., 1–10) if you want to pick a favorite.
✅ 6. Compare and Discuss
If you’re tasting with others, compare notes and impressions.
There’s no “right” answer — tasting is subjective.
🧠 Bonus Tips:
Don’t wear strong cologne or perfume — it will affect your ability to smell.
Try not to taste after spicy food or sugary drinks.
Store open whiskey bottles in a cool, dark place with tightly sealed caps.