Appreciate Your Spirits With These Tasting Tips

There’s a lot more to spirits than mixing!  Many of the best spirits, such as whiskeys, rums, gin, cognac, and more can be enjoyed for their aroma and flavor, just like wine.  Learning to properly enjoy spirits can be a bit more challenging than with wine, due to the higher alcohol content, but you can still take your spirit-sipping to the next level with a few tips.

How To Sip Spirits Like An Expert

1 – Dilute the spirit

Now, there are certainly times when you might want your spirits straight – but you’ll have an easier time appreciating the flavor if you water them down a bit.  The higher the abv / proof, the harder it will be to taste the underlying flavors beneath the ethanol.  Adding some water can make it easier for beginners to analyze the flavors and aromas.

Note: Don’t dilute with ice.   in most cases, ice harms the flavor of the spirit.  Ice is mainly useful for making rough / cheap spirits more palatable. 

2 – Use wine-style tasting glasses

Shot glasses weren’t designed to help the flavor of spirits.  Fortunately, they can benefit from being served in the same sort of tulip-shaped glasses used for tasting wines.  You’re looking for glasses with a deep bowl and a rim designed to concentrate the bouquet (aroma) of the spirit so you can smell it before you sip.

Be sure the glass is thoroughly cleaned beforehand.  Remember that soap can leave an unpleasant residue.  Giving the glass a rinse before sipping can help remove any remaining soap.

3 – Try to sip in a scent-free environment

The best place to sample spirits is a room without any other strong scents, so probably don’t do your spirit-sipping in the kitchen.  Also, avoid wearing heavy perfumes or colognes, and don’t use highly-scented soaps before sampling.  These can also interfere with the experience and confuse your nose.

4 – Sniffing

As mentioned above, a good spirit shouldn’t be ‘on the rocks.’  Always serve at room temperature, not chilled or over ice. 

When sniffing spirits, you don’t want your nose too close to the glass.  You’ll be overwhelmed by the alcohol.  Instead, keep your nose a few inches from the glass, and then fan one hand upwards to waft the aroma towards your nose.  This reduces the alcohol smell and allows you to more easily discern the underlying bouquet of the spirit.

5 – Tasting

Tasting a spirit is a two-part process.  First, take a very small sip, but spit it out quickly.  This prepares your palette and reduces the shock of alcohol hitting your mouth.  Then take a larger sip.  This one should be swirled around your mouth so that you can analyze the flavors.  Take note of any ‘notes’ that stand out, such as fruity or spicy elements. 

Also, pay attention to the texture.  Is it thick?  Velvety?  Light?  Analyzing the texture will also improve your appreciation for spirits!

Rollers Wine & Spirits is an online wine and liquor store with an extensive, hand-curated collection.  Click here to browse our selection of spirits!