How To Do a Bourbon Tasting: Full Guide (2023 Updated)

Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin

As easy as it sounds, bourbon tasting is just drinking bourbon, right? However, bourbon tasting is a special way to appreciate the spirit’s specific flavors and unique characteristics, different from “just” drinking bourbon.

If you are new to the bourbon world, you’ve come to the right place because we will teach you how to do a bourbon tasting like a pro. 

4 Steps on How To Do A Bourbon Tasting 

1. Always Judge On The 3rd Sip

Bourbons are made of corn, malted barley, and rye or wheat. When tasting bourbon, always judge the third sip because the first will always be a bad indicator. Bourbon contains at least 40% ABV, so let your taste buds warm up to the heat. 

The first sip is always hot so take a minute before taking the second. The second sip will be much gentler, and the flavors will start to come through. The third sip will get you into the deep flavor of bourbon, and that’s the right time to judge.

2. Chew The Liquid Around Your Whole Mouth

Want to taste bourbon like a pro? Connoisseurs and whiskey distillers use Kentucky Chew as popularized by Booker Noe. Taste a small amount of bourbon, work it around your whole mouth for a few seconds and smack your lips as if you are chewing on the liquid. 

If you chew the liquid, it will coat your entire mouth, and in the way, you could assess all the flavors and finish the bourbon whiskey. The human tongue has different areas meant to appreciate different flavors [1]. 

3. Cleanse Your Palate With Water

It would be best to always clean your tongue with water when tasting fine bourbons before switching to the next bourbon. Water is a good palate cleanser, so the previous bourbon will not influence the next one even at the slightest remnant. 

If you remove the residue of bourbons on your tongue, you can be more accurate in assessing a new flavor.

If you host tastings, guests would also love to cleanse their tongues with food, so don’t forget to put cheese and chips on your shopping list. Here are some of the best snacks for a bourbon tasting. 

4. Always Start With Lower Proof

If you want to taste bourbon like a pro, always start from low to high proof to give your tastebuds a chance to adjust. If you start with a higher proof, nothing will be left for others. 

Moreso, you should try adding a few drops of water because it helps open up the aromas and flavors of the whiskey. You will be impressed with how a mix of distilled water from a water glass improves your favorite bourbon flavor profile. 

2 Types of Bourbon Tasting Methods

Comparison

Comparison tasting is a tasting method where you can pick different types of bourbon from one distillery.

You can compare every bottling from one distillery over the years in comparison tasting. In this way, you can sense how the yearly climate affects distilled drink production.

Horizontal

Horizontal tasting is a method of picking the same type of bourbon from different distilleries. You can have bottles of bourbons from the same region, year, and varietal, and all that changes will be the distiller.

What To Consider 

Appearance

The first thing you will notice in a bottle of bourbon will be the appearance. Should you gently swirl the glass and observe its appearance-is it cloudy or clear?

Notice its color; is it deep brown or light yellow? The appearance can indicate how long it has been aged in charred barrels.

Aroma

Aroma is another thing to consider because our sense of smell is 80% responsible for what we taste. Keep your lips slightly parted and inhale above the whiskey glass. You can identify which notes are dominant in the nose- spicy, herbal, floral, or oak. 

Bourbon Glass

The bourbon glass plays a vital role when tasting bourbon because most glasses are engineered to enhance the aroma and taste of the drink. It would be ideal for getting a glass with a tapered mouth that directs the aroma to be fully appreciated. 

Glencairn is a highly recommended tasting glass because it has a wide and round base that helps make swirling effective and easy. Its narrow neck allows the aroma to gather under the rim of the bourbon glass, straight to your nose.

Tasting Notes

Stop gulping bourbon because it is not coffee or soda; you will miss the chance to taste and savor the bourbon flavor.

Take small sips and roll them in your mouth and tongue like you are chewing, so you naturally taste the notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak. 

Finish

After swallowing the bourbon, the last thing you should consider is the finish of the bourbon. Does the bourbon have a short or long finish?

Observe if it lingers long, gives warmth throughout your body, or is it more of a burn?

FAQs 

How much do you pour for a bourbon tasting?

It would be best to put half an ounce of bourbon per glass when doing bourbon tasting. The purpose of tasting is to learn the product, so half an ounce is good to go. 

Do you sniff before you taste bourbon?

Yes, it would be best to sniff before you taste the bourbon. After you swirl the glass with bourbon, you can smell its aroma, which will prepare your tongue when tasting it. 

How do you breathe when drinking bourbon?

When drinking bourbon, breathe in through your nose, then exhale long and smooth through your mouth. A controlled breath will prevent alcohol from exploding in your sinuses.

Pour, Sniff, & Sip! 

Tasting the bourbon in the right way allows you to appreciate more of the complex flavor and aroma of the bourbon than consuming it straight up. Remember to judge on the third sip, chew the liquid, rinse your palate and start at the low abv. 

Now that you are ready to host bourbon tasting, it’s time to head to the local liquor store, score a bottle of single barrel and small batch bourbon, prepare some food and have some fun with friends! 

Reference:

1. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/neat-and-tidy-map-tastes-tongue-you-learned-school-all-wrong-180963407/