How to Savor Every Sip
Bourbon. The American Heartland in a glass. A spirit like no other that carries with it a legacy steeped in unparalleled craftsmanship. The best way to enjoy bourbon is, of course, to savor every sip. Discover the rich tapestry of flavors and aromas it has. And while this may seem like a daunting task, we assure you it’s not. You just have to be ready to learn and take the journey.
Let’s Begin Your Tasting Journey
To start to learn the art of bourbon tasting, you’ll obviously need bourbon. Now, you may already know your favorite bourbon and have it on your shelf. If so, great! But if you haven’t discovered your absolute favorite one yet, no worries. Just come to Spec’s! We’ll gladly help you find the right bourbon for you and your taste.
Now that that’s settled, let’s talk glassware. You have to get the glassware right. It’s the backbone of a good tasting. Ideally, bourbon glasses are clean, clear, and tulip-shaped with a wide bowl that narrows into a tapered rim. We recommend The Glencairn Glass, Sherry or White Wine Glasses, or a specialized vessel such as the NEAT glass to enjoy your bourbons. If you’re enjoying a flight and tasting multiple bourbons, be sure to use the same glass for each one. The shape and size of the glass can alter how the bourbon tastes.
You’ve Got the Bourbon and the Glasses. What’s Next?
We’ve come to the best part. THE TASTING.
But to get the full bourbon experience, we’ll need to use more than just our sense of taste. We’ll need to use our senses of sight and smell as well.
When examining a bourbon, you should notice its hue as it should range from a light amber to a deep mahogany. These hues will let you know how old the spirit is and the environment where it matured. Now, gently swirl the bourbon in your glass and notice the trails as they slowly cascade down the sides. These streaks aren’t just visually appealing; they reveal important details about the bourbon’s viscosity, alcohol content, and texture, providing a preview of what to expect.
Up next, smell. Or as some call it, nosing. This is an important part of bourbon tasting as it is where we first encounter the core elements of the particular spirit and discover what ingredients were used making it.
The proper technique for nosing is to approach the glass with lips slightly parted and breathe in gently. This will allow the bouquet to ascend without the sharp bite of alcohol. Once you’ve breathed in, the aromas of the bourbon will begin to unveil. The sweetness of vanilla and caramel. The earthiness of oak and the spice of rye. All of it coming together to enrich your sipping experience.
Now, we can take our first sip in full appreciation.
You will need to have patience and pay close attention throughout this part of the process. Move the bourbon around your mouth, almost as if you were chewing food. This will awaken the spirits’ full array of flavors.
First, you’ll experience its sweetness on the tip of your tongue. Then the back of your mouth will enjoy lingering spicy and savory notes. If you’re worried about these flavors being too much for you, add a few drops of water. This will soften the spirit and make some of the subtler notes more noticeable. As you enjoy the bourbon, consider the harmony of flavors—the interplay between sweet, savory, and spicy notes. The mouthfeel, whether silky, creamy, or crisp, plays a crucial role in defining its character. Together with the flavor profile, these sensations provide valuable insights into the bourbon’s quality, age, and the craftsmanship involved in its creation. The tasting process all cumulates in the finish. This is the lingering impression left by the bourbon after you sip it. Every superior bourbon should have an evolving finish. One that reveals layers of flavor that unfold long after you’ve finished drinking. Providing you with a warmth that gently radiates through you and signifies a lasting memory of your experience with the bourbon.
Now, you know the art of bourbon tasting. But before we end our journey, there’s a couple of stops we’d like to add.
Let’s Settle This: Straight or On the Rocks?
Ah, the age-old question. Straight or On the Rocks? And while we would love to give you a definitive answer, we can’t. Because that, my friends, is all up to you.
Just so we’re all on the same page, here’s a little refresher.
Straight (aka “neat”) is when your bourbon is at room temperature. It goes straight from bottle to glass without any additives. This is ideal for bourbons of a higher-quality or are well-aged as this allows you to fully appreciate its aromas, flavor profile, and finish. To enjoy a bourbon straight, pour two ounces into a glass, swirl, sip, and let it linger on your palate before swallowing.
On The Rocks is when you add ice to your bourbon before drinking. While this slightly dilutes the drink, it does make it more approachable to some and it does still retain its flavor. If you want to enjoy your bourbon on the rocks, we recommend big ice cubes. They have less surface area and melt slower than other ice cubes, so your bourbon’s flavor lasts longer. You may also consider whiskey stones, stainless steel cubes you can freeze and add to your bourbon, to get the same cooling benefits of ice cubes without any of the dilution.
Now, you just have to ask yourself what do you want. Full flavor or nice and cool? Either way are perfect ways to enjoy your bourbon. Experiment around and find the one that best matches your tastes!
Want to Learn a Secret?
Here’s a little trick every distiller and bourbon aficionado knows… add a few drops of water to get the full experience of the bourbon.This may be surprising as naturally one would think adding any amount of water would dilute your beverage, but a small amount will actually enhance its aromatic intensity while softening the strong warmth of the alcohol. Blenders and distillers often reduce the alcohol content significantly during tasting—sometimes to as low as 20%—to better assess the whiskey’s true character. So once you’re used to tasting and savoring bourbon, add a little water. It’ll feel like you’re sipping it for the very first time again.
Now What?
Congratulations! You’ve returned from your journey and know the art of tasting bourbon.
But what is next for you?
Will you host a gathering with friends and share your newfound knowledge? Will you cap off the perfect day with a glass of bourbon and fully appreciate its contents? Will you go further into discovering bourbon and learn about the perfect food pairings that go with it and try new experiences like fat-washing your bourbon?
Whatever you decide, there are only right answers when it comes to bourbon. And, as always, Spec’s will be here for you every step of the way.
