Bob’s Bourbon Tasting Basics

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• Glassware

  • ​It’s important get at least a fluted top, is it absolutely necessary? No, it isn’t but if you’re just getting into notes and trying to taste bourbon the glasses are not all equal. I prefer the glencairn and the Canadian glen.

• Control the volume

  • ​What I mean is you will have better results tasting in smaller amounts. Don’t over do it and burn out your palate with big gulps, save that for later.

• Slow Down.

  • I understand if you’re in a rush and need to hit a couple chugs but if you want to taste and get notes you need to slow down. The bourbon must have time to pass over and coat your tongue. This isn’t a race and all parts of your mouth get to play along from the flavors on your tongue to the sensations all over your palate. A good rule of thumb is to “chew” your whiskey or hold it in your mouth for as many seconds as the bourbon is years old. Example: 12 years=12 seconds, remember this is a loose example but try to keep the bourbon in contact with your mouth because your stomach and throat cant taste.

• Build up that tolerance

  • For me it took some time to be able to handle high proof neat bourbon, emphasis on the neat, however you can get there eventually even if you like a little water or ice in your drink. It should be mentioned that coldness dampens flavor. All I can tell you is you need to practice. Much like the spice in hot foods the spice from the alcohol can be tamed and you can begin to enjoy the whiskey more than the alcohol. Remember step #2 small sips, you need to get your mouth trained not your ability to stay conscious with a high BAC. 

• Learn the language

  • At this point you’re able to recognize some flavors and you can sip, shoot, or chug your whiskey while still enjoying it. The next part is looking over the bourbon flavor wheel or just going off of you past experiences and trying to connect those flavors to your bourbon. Many people will tell you taste is subjective but if we all learn the language we can better explain ourselves and have even more fun with our hobby.

• Taste is Subjective

  • ​I can’t fully convey to you what my grandmas apple pie tastes like but I can say this bourbon reminds me of it. Everyone has their own take on flavors I encourage you to trust your own palate. Mess with triangle tasting where you have 3 glasses of bourbon and 2 are the exact same thing. Compare your written tasting notes and this will tell you a lot about how your brain perceives flavor. Don’t forget blind tastings!