#scotchtasting

Perhaps you have an aversion to the word Scotch and liken it to the smell of gasoline. There is no skirting around the fact that Scotch is an acquired taste, but there is nothing wrong with dipping your toes in before diving headfirst. Most people don’t take their coffee strong, dark and completely black the very first time that they try it. That is unless you are my wife, but she enjoys defying the odds of commonality.

One great way to ease into your engagement with Scotch is to incorporate it into a cocktail. A few classics that call for the unique spirit include The Rob Roy, Rusty Nail and The Penicillin. A peated Scotch works wonderfully as a cocktail float in classically sour or spiced drinks. It really transforms the flavor into something more complex. Try tasting first by sipping from the glass. Afterwards, give it a little swirl and sip through a straw and make note of the progressing flavors.

When it comes to trying Scotch, it is important to remember the proper way to taste. Sure, you could get away with using a highball glass if you are in a pinch, but there are a multitude of benefits to using a Tulip glass or Snifter. Two of its main functions are key to your tasting experience. First, the round tulip-like design of the glass helps give you the perfect picture of your Whiskeys legs. These are the little droplets that cling to the glass and slowly drip down as you swirl. The legs have everything to do with the viscosity of the Scotch and can give you an idea of just how high the Alcohol by Volume is in your spirit. The second function of the snifter is to help aid in the fragrance of your Scotch. Once you swirl the Whiskey in the glass, a type of scientific process begins. This process uses a little oxygen to help coax evaporation, sending the aromatic notes up towards your nose. It is imperative to experience the smell of our Scotch because our sniffers heavily influence our taste.

Once you have the proper glassware selected and you have gained a full picture of the scent profile, it is time to finally taste your Scotch. You are going to need a little room temperature filtered water. Add a few drops to your dram. This will help open up all of the flavor notes and distinguish that abrasive first burn to your buds. Take your first sip and “chew it” around in your mouth. Hit the top of your mouth, sides and any place that might offer you a new flavor experience. To an outsider, it will look as though you are chewing a piece of steak. Once you feel you have gotten every possible drop of taste out of your sip, swallow and draw in an open-mouthed breath of air. You will notice some lingering flavor notes on your tongue. This is the after taste of your Scotch.