Tips for hosting a whisky-tasting
First of all, according to Master Distiller Emeritus Evan Thomas Cattanach, it's spelled “whisky”, not “whiskey”. This Scottish gentleman should know; scotch whisky is one of the United Kingdom's top five export earners.
Regardless of whether you spell it whiskey or whisky -- and dictionaries include both spellings -- scotch whisky is a beverage that is as complex and interesting to sample as wine.
What's the difference between a single-malt whisky and a blended whisky?
Essentially, single malt is whisky that has been distilled at a single distillery, while blended malt whisky has been distilled at more than one distillery. Tasters often prize the single malt because it uniquely reflects the taste of the environment --the local water, the shape of the stills at the distillery, and the local climate --where it was produced.
Regardless of whether you spell it whiskey or whisky -- and dictionaries include both spellings -- scotch whisky is a beverage that is as complex and interesting to sample as wine.
What's the difference between a single-malt whisky and a blended whisky?
Essentially, single malt is whisky that has been distilled at a single distillery, while blended malt whisky has been distilled at more than one distillery. Tasters often prize the single malt because it uniquely reflects the taste of the environment --the local water, the shape of the stills at the distillery, and the local climate --where it was produced.
How to taste whisky
It's true that whisky tastes the same whether you're alone or with a group of friends, but organizing a whisky tasting allows you to compare notes with others and get a fuller picture of the nature and nuances of the beverage. And, of course, hosting a whisky tasting party can be a great backdrop for a social evening, with a learning experience sprinkled in.
1. Host the whisky tasting before dinner, as your sense of smell is keener when you're hungry. Incidentally, the best time of day to taste is first thing in the morning when your palate is clean, but that might be a difficult time to organize a tasting.
2. Choose a room that is well ventilated and free of cooking odours. You might consider asking your guests not to wear perfumes or scents, as they will interfere with the scent of the whisky, a critical aspect of the tasting process.
3. Although whisky is often served in a tumbler, many believe a 7-ounce tulip-style goblet is best for the swirl and sniff approach to tasting whisky. Remember, whisky is a sipping drink, so just add a splash to the glass.
4. Should you add water or not? It's a question of personal taste. Some whisky purists insist on tasting theirs neat, but others say you'll get a better "nose" for the sample if you add water, which acts by releasing the whisky's fragrance. Experts favour the same-sourced water as your whisky, but that's unrealistic for most of us -- distilled water should be fine.
5. Don't add too much water -- experiment a little with volumes when you taste, adding a small amount of water at a time. Experts say you've hit the right amount of water when you sniff the whisky and there is no “prickle” sensation in your nose. As with the whisky itself, the water temperature should be at about 15C.
6. It's fine to add ice to whisky, but don't do it for a tasting.
7. The whisky should be served at about 15C. With wine, you usually hold the glass at the stem, with an effort to avoid warming the drink with your hand; with whisky, warming the glass with your hand helps release the aroma of the drink.
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It's true that whisky tastes the same whether you're alone or with a group of friends, but organizing a whisky tasting allows you to compare notes with others and get a fuller picture of the nature and nuances of the beverage. And, of course, hosting a whisky tasting party can be a great backdrop for a social evening, with a learning experience sprinkled in.
1. Host the whisky tasting before dinner, as your sense of smell is keener when you're hungry. Incidentally, the best time of day to taste is first thing in the morning when your palate is clean, but that might be a difficult time to organize a tasting.
2. Choose a room that is well ventilated and free of cooking odours. You might consider asking your guests not to wear perfumes or scents, as they will interfere with the scent of the whisky, a critical aspect of the tasting process.
3. Although whisky is often served in a tumbler, many believe a 7-ounce tulip-style goblet is best for the swirl and sniff approach to tasting whisky. Remember, whisky is a sipping drink, so just add a splash to the glass.
4. Should you add water or not? It's a question of personal taste. Some whisky purists insist on tasting theirs neat, but others say you'll get a better "nose" for the sample if you add water, which acts by releasing the whisky's fragrance. Experts favour the same-sourced water as your whisky, but that's unrealistic for most of us -- distilled water should be fine.
5. Don't add too much water -- experiment a little with volumes when you taste, adding a small amount of water at a time. Experts say you've hit the right amount of water when you sniff the whisky and there is no “prickle” sensation in your nose. As with the whisky itself, the water temperature should be at about 15C.
6. It's fine to add ice to whisky, but don't do it for a tasting.
7. The whisky should be served at about 15C. With wine, you usually hold the glass at the stem, with an effort to avoid warming the drink with your hand; with whisky, warming the glass with your hand helps release the aroma of the drink.
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