How To Drink Whiskey Like a Professional Taster

Whiskey is for everyone, right? So what is it about the whole whiskey-drinking process that can be so darn intimidating? We always want to say the “right” things and describe whiskey the “right way” out of fear of being “wrong.” So how do we drink whiskey — and talk about it — like a professional?

Maybe you have the desire to sound like you know your stuff the next time you’re at a party with your booze-snob boss, or maybe you really like scotch — but don’t know why and want to figure it out.

Either way, Whiskey Raiders Chief Spirits Critic, Jay West, offered us some pointers on how he — someone who drinks whiskey for a living — does what he does. If you’re looking to level up your drinking game, this is a must-read.

First Things First: Your Glass Matters

When tasting a whiskey, choose your glass wisely. West recommends any glass with a “tulip shape,” to help showcase the spirit’s expression in terms of aroma, palate and even the finish. You can go the traditional route and taste whiskey in a Glencairn, which is a bell-shaped glass specifically designed for whiskey (and that’s our pick for the best option), but a Riesling glass will also do the trick in a pinch.

If you’re sensitive to whiskey’s hot ethanol smell and want to protect your delicate nostrils, that’s fine too. Glasses with a wider bell will help diffuse some of the heat, but you might not pick up quite as many notes without a narrow snout concentrating those aromas for you. Sensitivity to ethanol is something that will wear off as you smell — and ultimately taste — more whiskey.

As far as glassware goes, consistency also helps. If you use the same glass each time, you’ll be able to identify certain aromas in whiskey that you like and ones that you’re not a fan of.

Needless to say, make sure your glass is clean before your whiskey-tasting endeavors. A dirty glass will change the way a whiskey smells and… ultimately tastes. Yuck.

Does Color Matter?

Though some critics grade a whiskey’s color, it ultimately isn’t a huge deal.

A general rule of thumb is the darker a whiskey, the older it may be due to extended contact with the barrel. The type of barrel plays a role here, too, however. New oak barrels impart much more color onto a whiskey than used barrels, which is why bourbons are often much darker than, say, scotch whiskies of around the same age.

Certain finishing casks, particularly red wine or sherry casks, also affect the color of a whiskey and can add more reddish tones. But other than that? Color is mostly an aesthetic thing.

To Swirl Or Not To Swirl, That Is The Question

Ah yes, the big question of swirling. Some industry professionals have really strong opinions about swirling whiskey and will go so far as to say it ruins a whiskey, whereas others are all about it. So who’s in the right here?

Vinepair claims that swirling whiskey adds a bit of oxygen to help release the aromas and “open up” a whiskey, similar to swirling a glass of wine.

West himself swirls whiskey before he tastes it, but he is not a diehard member of  “Team Swirl,” as it’s not particularly groundbreaking for the spirit either way. In short: if you want to swirl, do you and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The same goes for folks in the anti-swirl camp. It’s really not a big deal.

Adding a Drop Water Won’t Ruin Your Whiskey

We know adding water to whiskey is considered a cardinal sin amongst some whiskey enthusiasts, but the truth is adding a drop of water to a whiskey — if you’re not enjoying it straight out of the bottle — is not a big deal and can help open up a whiskey.

West never dilutes the whiskeys he tastes, but it can help a higher-proof expression come alive. We suggest tasting the whiskey out of the bottle first, and if it’s too hot, add just a droplet of water and see if that helps. Of course, be careful not to go overboard with the water; you can always add more water, but you can’t take water out if you add too much (you can always add more whiskey, though).

Diluting a whiskey with water allows some other aromas to come to the surface that would otherwise be masked by ethanol.

Tasting a whiskey out of the bottle first and then adding a bit of water the second time around is also a great way to train your palate to identify different aromas and flavor profiles, since the whiskey’s flavor will change with water.

The First Step of Tasting Whiskey — It All Starts With A Sniff

When tasting a whiskey, West likes to look for cohesion amongst the aroma, palate and finish.

He first assesses the nose – or aroma – of the spirit and evaluates whether it is bold, subtle or even heavy on the ethanol as that can be an indicator of proof. The nose usually foreshadows what the whiskey will taste like, so get in there and sniff!

After taking a good whiff of the whiskey, West swirls his glass and takes a sip to see if the actual flavor on the palate confirms exactly what he’s smelling.

For example, if a nose smells of fresh lemons he’s going to check to see if the spirit tastes citrus-forward.

Assessing The Flavor Of Whiskey

When assessing a whiskey, there are a few flavor components to take into consideration.

Whiskey can be sweet, savory, fruity, spicy or even briny. When evaluating a whiskey, West will check to see if the flavors on the palate either echo what he experienced on the nose or provide a nice contrast as these are all valid choices. A great whiskey delivers harmony between the nose, palate and finish. Think about scents and flavors you’ve experienced in all facets of your life and see if the whiskey reminds you of them.

Body and the way whiskey feels in your mouth is also something to take into consideration. Is the whiskey thin on your palate? Is it viscous? This is worth noting as highly viscous whiskeys are often higher in proof.

The last thing to take into consideration is the way a whiskey finishes. Is it long? Short? Satisfying? Be sure to think about the kind of flavors you’re experiencing even on the finish and if they create a sense of cohesion between the aroma and palate.

Tasting Faux-Pas & ‘Whiskey Bro’ Clichés To Avoid

Generally speaking, there aren’t any major “no-nos” when it comes to tasting whiskey. Your sensory experience is unique and valid.

West cautions against using descriptors like the word “smooth,” however, as it’s a pretty generic term used to describe whiskey and doesn’t do much for the spirit, nor does it really help you – and the people you’re talking to – understand why you like it or don’t.

As far as describing a whiskey, it’s really important to think about what specifically struck your fancy about the spirit and try to describe it as concisely as possible.

Another thing to consider avoiding when talking about whiskey is describing how allocated a bottle is, bragging about your expensive whiskey collection and your relationship with the owner of a store, as this just screams “Whiskey Bro.” Whiskey is meant to be enjoyed and build community, and “whiskey bro-isms” don’t help that.

Ultimately, the more whiskey you taste the more confident you will get in communicating about the spirit. So get on out there, start tasting, and start meeting people who love whiskey.

The more you geek out about whiskey, the more you learn about it and the better you’ll get at understanding why you’re a fan of that specific dram.

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