Whiskey Review 101

Hello everyone! I decided that before I start posting whiskey reviews, I should share my guide lines and how I do my whiskey reviews.

I will start with the main types of glasses I use. Below is a picture.

Glencairn – Probably the most popular glass for nosing whiskey. I use these for 80 – 90 proof whiskies.

Tuath – These are whiskey glasses from Ireland made for Irish whiskey. I use these for 90 proof and up, barrel strength, bottled in bond (bib), cask strength, etc. It has the tulip shape like the Glencairn but has a flared lip that dissipates some of the alcohol fumes.

Rocks – After I am finished nosing, I pour my drink into a rocks glass. I find it more comfortable to drink out of the rocks glass because of weight and shape.

Now I will get into what I am looking for when I review a whiskey.

1. Bottle – This may not have any weight for other bourbon drinkers, but I really like cool bottles. Shape, logos, artwork are things I look for. Like taste and smell this is somewhat subjective so not everyone will agree.
2. Color – This is another factor that is minor but still considered. I like the look of really dark whiskey. I like it to look like molasses, like I don’t know if I should drink it or pour it on a biscuit.
3. Nose – Does it have an overall pleasant smell with no off or funky smells. Can I pick out distinct smells or does it just smell like whiskey? Is the alcohol overpowering?
4. Mouthfeel – Is it thick or thin? I prefer as I think most would agree, a whiskey that has a thick, oily or buttery texture that coats your entire mouth and throat as you swallow.
5. Palate – What does it taste like? Does it taste like oak, fruit, sweet? There are lots of flavor wheels available online that help narrow down flavors and smell.
6. Finish – This deals with taste as well but more of the “after taste”. What is that lingering taste you get. Does it last long or do you lose the taste as soon as you swallow?

Steps:

• Observe bottle for color and cool factor.
• Pour in Glencairn or Tuath (depending on proof) and let rest for 5 – 10 minutes.
• Spend several minutes smelling taking notes in between sniffs.
• Add a few drops of water, let sit for 5 minutes and repeat smelling/note taking.
• Pour into rocks glass. IMPORTANT STEP: Do not rinse nosing glass. Give empty glass 5 minutes to let everything evaporate and smell empty glass. You will be surprised at the new or more clear smells!
• Take a very small sip out of rocks glass and continue to smell.  Pouring into different shape/open mouth glass and taking a sip will sometimes open up new flavors.
• Slowly drink the bourbon rolling around to coat your mouth and take notes on flavors. Drink about half of the glass.
• Add large ice cube and continue drinking, noting how flavors change as the ice melts. The taste can really change dramaticallly. EXAMPLE: I recently tried Basil Hayden’s Toasted because I heard it tasted like toasted marshmallows. I was drinking neat and could not pick up that flavor at all. After putting a piece of ice in I could taste strong marshmallow taste.

Grading Scale – I will use the t8ke scoring scale created by whiskey writer Jay West (t8ke).

The t8ke Scoring Scale:

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all-time favorite