Whisky Tasting for Beginners
The undeniable truth is, for some, whisky can be one of the more alienating of spirits. Some find the different categories and types of whisky more overwhelming than, say, a vodka. Then there’s working up from a beginner whisky as you get more familiar with the character and flavour of expert blends and malts.
But there’s another undeniable fact – no other spirit is worth the investment quite like whisky. Once you’ve cracked the lingo and taken your first steps (or sips), it’s a world rich in flavour and possibility. So, to put any doubts on ice – removing one of the barriers from you and the wonderful world of whisky – here’s an expert guide on all things whisky tasting.
Unlike other spirits, whisky tasting has more of a process, but once you master the core steps, you realise there’s not much to it – drams without the drama.
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Sure, we’ve all heard ‘never judge a book by its cover’, but an important step in whisky tasting really does involve observing its appearance. You can use any glass, but if you’re serious about your whisky journey, you’ll want a specific tasting glass. Not only are these designed to direct the aromas to your nose, they allow for a greater look at the liquid. While you’re not going to decide on a favourite dram from sight alone, you’ll begin to pick up some knowledge that will impress non-whisky friends and get you chatting to fellow connoisseurs. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll discover the darker the liquid, the fuller the flavour. So if you’re taking things slow, you might hope to try a lighter, honeyed colour dram.
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You’ve given your glass a good eyeful, now it must be time to finally give it a taste? Not quite. A step which cannot be overlooked in the whisky tasting process is smelling its aroma. In fact, many experts think this is the most important step of any whisky tasting. Scientists claim that the sense of smell - the olfactory system – accounts for about 80% of what we taste. So pay attention to what your nose picks up, as it’ll prepare you to identify the taste much more clearly. True aficionados have a specific method for smelling a whisky, called retronasal breathing. This means breathing behind the nose and it follows the sort of techniques used when people taste wine. To do it the expert way breathe in through your mouth, close your lips and hold that breath and after a short moment, breathe out through your mouth. Top tip - when you go to smell, don’t put your nose too far in. Many whiskies have a strong ABV and could have been aged a long time – that’s the kind of deep breath that could sting.
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The last step is undoubtedly everyone's favorite part - it's time to sip and enjoy. The key word to remember here is sip; in a whiskey tasting, don't take a big mouthful or slurp. Small, slow sips allow the palate to pick up the nuanced notes and flavors. If you keep sipping, your mouth will also discover new accents as it becomes more accustomed to the textures and flavors. The first sip may feel very different from the last sip, and that is the beauty of a good whisky.
How to guarantee a good whisky tasting experience
So now you know how to taste whisky, but where do you go from here to take it up a notch? Or maybe inject a little fun? After all, whisky needn't always be serious.
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Writing down your notes on everything from appearance to aroma can be helpful in keeping your thoughts clear, and identifying trends and patterns in whiskies you’re particularly fond of.
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A simple tip to get more out of your whisky tasting is to make it a social occasion. Not only is it a special occasion for you and your friends, they will perhaps be able to pick out some flavours and callouts you miss.
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As you taste the whisky, one great tip for unlocking new flavours and layers is to vary the length of your sips, holding the liquid in your mouth longer as you go.
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We're not joking. Any whisky fan will know a strange-but-true tip is chewing the liquid gold after sipping it. Simply roll the whisky around your mouth and lightly chew on it – it allows the drink to touch all different areas of your mouth, opening up a symphony of flavours.
What not to do during a whisky tasting
The tips shared above don’t have to be followed to the letter – after all, whisky tasting is even better when you experiment – but if you’re looking to learn how to drink whisky the proper way, there are some things to always avoid:
Don’t swirl – unlike wine, swirling whisky can release too many of the aromas or bring out the strong vapours in the whisky, overwhelming its smell and taste
Don’t drink water right away – clearing your palate between sips is important, but you need to allow time for the whisky’s finishing notes to reveal themselves
Be mindful of what you eat beforehand – anything strong or overpowering too soon before a tasting can affect your palate. Try to avoid spicy foods or anything with particularly strong flavour
There you have it. An expert rundown on how to drink whisky the right way, with some added insight on what to do and not to do. Now, if you're ready to jump into a tasting but you're not sure what whisky to start with, peruse our guide on the best whisky for beginners. After that, you'll be raring to go.
Explore the world of Malts
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Choosing the correct beginner whisky is an important step for any budding malts enthusiast. Let us help you start your journey.
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