Bourbon Education Series: Volume 1

Be an expert: The 7 secrets of bourbon tasting

 

Here are some finer points of bourbon tasting, as explained by Jerry Dalton, a former Marine reservist and current master distiller for Jim Beam.

 

1. LOOK IT OVER — Pour yourself a drink and take some time to study the color. A darker color tends to mean longer storage time, higher proof or some combination of the two, Dalton said.

2. GIVE IT A TWIRL — Get a firm grip on the glass and swish the bourbon around, a move called aerating. “Bourbon whiskey is robust stuff,” Dalton said. “You’re not going to hurt it.” What you will do is allow the drink to breathe a bit, which makes for a better tasting experience.

3. TAKE A DEEP BREATH — Part your lips, place your nose deep into the glass, and give the brew a sniff. By opening your mouth slightly while inhaling, you can avoid being overpowered by the alcohol, Dalton said. The smell gives a preview to the taste.

4. TAKE A DRINK — To get a complete flavor profile, take a large sip from the glass and work it around to coat the inside of your mouth, a “Kentucky chew,” Dalton said. This allows the mix to hit different parts of the tongue, from the sweet-sensing tip to the sour-sensing sides.

5. OK, NOW SWALLOW — Pay careful attention to the flavors as the brew slides down your throat. Be on the lookout for an exceptional “finish,” a test of how long those flavors linger. For quality bourbon, the taste should hang around for 15 or 20 seconds.

6. WATER IT DOWN — Imagine the flavor of undiluted bourbon as a closed fist. Adding in a dose of water to your mix will help you customize the flavor, Dalton said, like opening the fingers of the hand. That means more intense flavors than drinking the mix uncut.

7. ON THE ROCKS — Try pouring the bourbon over ice. “The first drink is almost neat,” or undiluted, Dalton said. As you slowly sip the beverage, the ice begins to melt, a move akin to slowly adding water. This gentle movement allows the drinker to slowly experience a full range of the bourbon’s flavor.

The folks at Jim Beam also recommend opening and serving bourbon at room temperature, unchilled, in tulip-shaped wine glasses or snifters, the traditional method for tasting bourbon.