Hey and welcome to another blog post from Dramante, in this edition we take a closer look at how to nose a whisk(e)y.
Ahhh, nothing better than nosing a good whisk(e)y right? The Nose, or aroma, is the initial smell of the whisk(e)y and is where most of the flavour comes from. Most people are unsure of what is the right way to do this and whether they are picking out the right notes or not. Don’t worry, everyone’s senses are different and individual to them, so there is no right or wrong answer. Whether you are just a newbie, an occasional whisk(e)y drinker, or a connoisseur, we will have a look at how to nose a whisk(e)y the right way.
First things first – start off with a blank canvas. As humans we can get easily manipulated, so in this case, reading tasting notes beforehand that describe the whisky will make it difficult to think of our own nose notes. So, the first tip would be to stay away from this and to make it personal to you!
Choosing your glass
The next important step is to choose the correct glass that helps to enhance the aroma of the whisk(e)y.
A Glencairn whisky glass which can be purchased from our website, this glass is the perfect start, its wide bowl and narrow rim means the aromas and flavours of the whisky are accurately delivered to the nose and palate or you can go one better with a Copita Glass - a true connoisseur’s way for nosing your whisk(e)y.
Glencairn Glass Copita Glass
Once you have chosen your preferred glass, pour your dram and let it sit for a few seconds. Then with the glass in your hand, swirl the whisk(e)y around slowly ensuring the whisk(e)y stays high up in the glass. Then take a look at the tear drops developing on the inside of the glass. If they are long and slow then this is a good way to tell that the whisk(e)y will be high in alcohol strength and could be cask strength. In most instances the slower the drop, the better the liquid.
Nosing the Whisk(e)y
Now the important part, nosing the whisk(e)y. Don’t put your nose straight into the glass, as your natural senses will be subdued by the high alcohol content. Raise the glass roughly to your bottom lip and breathe into your mouth first, then breathe out slowly through your nose. This will calmly introduce the fragrances of the whisk(e)y and not the overbearing alcohol content.
Start to think of what the aromas remind you of, could it be fresh baked bread, oranges, wood, whatever your senses are telling you is based on what experiences you’ve had over your lifetime. Again, there are no right or wrong answers here even if your notes are not the same as what the whisk(e)y has been described as, remember everyone’s nose is different and unless you’re the great Richard Paterson, also known as ‘the nose’ you probably won’t get all the flavours the first time.
Take your time, there is no rush when nosing whisk(e)y, the more time you have, the more it helps you identify new scents each time. Compare your notes with others and share experiences.
There you have it, ‘practice makes perfect’ and in no time you‘ll become an expert when it comes to nosing whisk(e)y.
Slàinte Mhaith/Cheers!
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