How to taste

• Appearance

  Look at the color of the whiskey against a neutral background. The color can indicate how the whiskey was matured. 

   

   

   
• Smell

  Bring the glass to your nose by the stem with your mouth slightly open. This opens up your palate and makes it easier to detect aromas. 

   

   

   
• Taste

  Take a small sip and move the whiskey around your mouth. You can add a drop or two of water to dilute the whiskey and open up the flavors. 

   

   

   

• Finish

  The finish of the whiskey is determined by how you swallow it. 

   

   

   

• Order

  If you're tasting multiple whiskeys, you can consider the age, grain blend, and type and treatment of the cask. Darker whiskeys tend to have more intense flavors. 

   

   

   

• Tools

  You can use a tasting glass and keep water available for drinking and diluting. If you're tasting multiple whiskeys, you can use a spit bucket. 

   

   

   

• Serving size

  A standard pour is 1.5–2 ounces.  -

   

   

   

• Snacks

  If you're hosting a whiskey tasting, you can provide snacks for your guests. If you're attending a whiskey tasting, you can bring a bottle of whiskey to share.