The investigation of whisky by visual inspection, taste, and scent is known as whisky tasting. Whisky tastings are frequently done in groups for educational or social reasons. The concepts like whisky tasting have recently evolved into an online event.
Drinking Glasses
When carefully tasting whisky, glass choice is crucial. The classic tumbler is the least suitable because its broad mouth allows vapours to dissipate, and its grip causes unintentional warming of the liquid. The established industry standard for whisky tasting glasses is a stemmed, tulip-shaped glass, like a copita or sherry glass. The Glencairn whisky glass is another well-liked vessel. Other specially designed tasting glasses have a lid to keep the scents inside.
Methodologies For Tasting
Although whisky tasting should not have a set format, the following steps are most frequently included in the procedure.
Notes for tasting
Notes may be made during the tasting process for publication or later use. Frequently, these are broken down into messages for the finish, palate, and nose. A literal tasting note may say, “a hint of TCP.” They could also be more sentimental.
Someone may claim, for instance, that the nose of a whisky makes them think of their grandfather’s old study because of the odours of musty books, leather, and possibly smoke.
However, no two nostrils are alike; some may be more susceptible to a particular scent than others, and occasionally a nose may not be able to detect a specific scent at all. It is advisable to have a panel of three or more people writes your tasting notes because of the condition known as nose-blindness.
Visual evaluation
To provide a good view into the spirit, the whisky glass is held at a 45-degree angle, frequently against a white background. The type of barrel the whisky was aged in significantly affects the colour intensity. For instance, Spanish and European oak adds far more colour than American White oak. A cask that is light in colour could potentially have been used previously.
An ex-Bourbon cask may give the whisky a golden hue, whereas a sherry cask will give it a coppery hue. But the colour can also reveal information about the whisky’s age, how the spirit has matured, and whether or not artificial colouring has been applied. However, in the latter scenario, it is possible that caramel’s aroma, frequently used to colour whisky, will be discernible.
Following a preliminary nose, the whisky is swirled until it rises to the glass’s edges and is given time to settle. Legs from the spirit will remain on the glass side. The potency of the soul and the degree of cask interaction can be inferred from the breadth of the legs and the time they endure.
Note that the legs will be affected by the activity of the cask, making cask contact more significant than maturity. A foggy look following the addition of water during the repeated process will show that chill filtering has not occurred.
Palate
The whisky is tasted in small amounts at the start, increasing the part as it moves across the tongue and is sipped gently. While subsequent tastes analyse flavours and fragrances, the initial tasting is used to evaluate texture. The essential preferences are identified on the second tasting. Only five of them—salt, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami (savory)—are tasted by the tongue; the remaining flavours—aromas—are sensed at the back of the nasal channel.
Water
The same procedure can optionally be performed with a small amount of water, which modifies the spirit’s flavour profile. This is because the whisky’s fatty esters are broken down by the water, releasing the flavour that has been locked inside. The water should reach room temperature.
Conclusion
This blog is apt to know about tasting your favourite whisky. It is essential to attend a masterclass to learn about your famous whisky.