5 Essential Whiskey Tasting Tips for Beginners

1. 5 Essential Whiskey Tasting Tips for Beginners There is a whole universe of whisky out there, and the choices can be daunting for a beginner. The best way to figure out what you like is to sample different types, savouring each one as you go along. This is called “tasting,” which isn’t the same as “drinking.” The goal of tasting is to enjoy and evaluate the whiskey, not get so drunk you forget your name. Below we enumerate some essential whiskey tasting tips for beginners: 1. Go to a whiskey tasting event. While you can always go to an online whisky shop and buy several different bottles to try at home, there’s nothing quite like going to a whiskey tasting event where you can sample whiskeys you otherwise might not have access to. It also allows you to meet likeminded people who share the same interest. What’s more, it’s an efficient way to discover what you like and what you don’t without having to read all the whiskey guides out there.

2. If it’s impossible to go to a tasting event, organize one at home and invite a handful of friends. Order online whisky delivery from and you’re good to go. The best liquor shops allow you to filter your choices by type, price range, brand and other such factors to make the shopping experience so much easier. They can even show you best-selling whiskeys to start you off if you have no idea what to buy. 2. You can’t go wrong with subtle and sweet flavours. It’s best to stick to a subtle and sweet whiskeys as you ease into the hobby. This doesn’t mean that you can’t broaden your choices over time. But in general, it’s best to take baby steps, developing your palate before moving on to smokier flavours. 3. Dilute, dilute, dilute—at least at first. Some beginners are put off by the burning sensation of drinking whisky straight. It’s really simple to fix this problem. Try diluting your whiskey with water or ice before tasting it. And no—don’t let anyone tell you that this is not allowed. You can certainly enjoy whiskey however you like. Once you get used to drinking it, you might find that you like it straight—or not. It doesn’t matter. What matters as you relish every drinking experience. 4. Make notes. Have some pen and paper ready (a dedicated notebook would be nice) so you can take note of the whiskey flavours you enjoy during tasting sessions. Write down the brand, type, and provenance so you don’t forget. After all there are so many different blends and styles out there. Doing this lets you not only developed a good sense of what you really like, but also discover new flavours that will make your taste buds jump for joy. 5. Learn how to taste properly. Tasting whiskey is a multi-sensory experience. Drink it from a proper glass—a simple rocks glass will do, as it is designed to allow alcohol fumes to dissipate so that you can fully appreciate their aromas. Hold the glass over a piece of white paper or up to the light. Observe the colour—is it a vibrant amber or deep brown? Darker coloured whiskeys usually have more concentrated flavours. Smell the whiskey gently to appreciate the caramel, smoky, or fruity aroma. Nosing whisky is not the same as nosing wine. Don’t put your nose all the way into the glass; just “dip” it in and then back out again, or hover it above the glass opening, slowly moving closer. There you go—everything you need to know to properly taste whiskeys. Order your online whisky delivery today and get started.