Here are some tips on how to taste whisky like a pro.
First, you have to choose a proper glass to imbibe the whisky from. A snifter will do nicely as it has a narrow opening tends to channel the aroma of the whisky to the nose, enhancing the experience by combining taste and scent. A similarly shaped wine glass or brandy glass will do just as well. Try to avoid anything that has a wide opening that dissipates the aroma, though they are suitable for serious whisky drinking on the rocks.
Next, having poured your glass of whisky, you should swirl it about, letting it release its flavors and aromas while you inhale the scent of the newly decanted liquor. Look at the color of the whisky while you’re taking in the aroma, noting how smoky or fruity it is.
Now you’re ready to have your first taste of the whisky. Sip it slowly, letting the liquid touch all parts of the mouth and tongue to you can detect all of the subtle flavors. When you finally swallow it, there will be a kind of alcohol burn, something that many non-drinkers of whisky are out by. Let it pass, because then you can enjoy the final step to your whisky tasting.
That step is enjoying the subtle after taste that comes following the alcohol burn. Pause a little to savor it. The after taste is what distinguishes whisky from other forms of adult beverages.
Finally most people wonder if they should add water or ice to their whisky or take it neat. The answer is that it is all a matter of personal taste, but you might want to take your first taste of a new whisky without ice or water to appreciate the full, unalloyed experience.
