Speed nosing/tasting = Speed dating some "handsome" drams....

So a few years ago 6 bloggers got together on twitter and we did some speed nosing/tasting. For some it was quite serious, for others like myself, well I likened it to speed dating so decided I would write about it from that perspective. I really had fun with it, hope you enjoy the read...  :)

From the archives of Whiskylassie....

DING! Go. So, tell me about yourself I said to the first one as he sat in the chair in front of me.

My name is Uigeadail and I am 54.2%ABV (big smile). I come from an island called Islay. I'm blond with highlights of amber and I've got long strong legs. Hmmm, I thought... I knew he was nervous I could smell him from across the table: Earthy like, like wet moss. He must have eaten red cherry lifesavers before he came in. I think he was a smoker because when he talked it reminded me of ashes. Can I kiss you I said, hoping not to sound too forward. I was right. He tasted like a wet ashtray and something that reminded me of PVC piping. I was sort of interested but his finishing moves were too fresh, fairly short and to the point. He did make a few spicy comments, but they rubbed me like white pepper. Here, but quickly forgotten. Not what I was in the mood for at all. DING! (Thank God I thought, moving on)

Well hello there sweet young thing!? I'm PC6 he whispered, or at least that's what I think he said, pretty thick accent?? What's your ABV I said as he kissed my lips. It was mouthwatering and he reeked of rum raisin ice cream? He didn't really get my jokes and sense of humor is important to me but he wasn't exactly boring to sit with by any means. I was really hoping for a smouldering fire but got very little smoke or flame. As he reached over and caressed my cheek he whispered, I'm 61.6%. Cheeky monkey, trying to take advantage of me, the nerve! He came on strong, and really could make probably make an uneducated younger woman feel good but I knew better and simply smiled for the rest of the round letting myself swim in those lovely smouldering eyes. If only I was 10 years younger. DING! Moving on, next!!!

 Hey there little lady he said with a swagger and wearing a 10 gallon hat! WTF is this?? Smooth talker, so sweeeeeeeet he reminded me of a tall cool glass of root beer float on a hot summer night. But if you sat close enough you could smell that his hat must have been stored next to the fireplace he had in his basement back home in Texas! I think I detected some soot or creosote? I asked if I could kiss him, sure he said in his drawl. I think he had just eaten a greasy pork sandwich? MY WORD and what a powerful flavor that left behind. Oddest fellow I've ever met really? Left me quite perplexed and a bit surprised. I don't think I was his type because his finish was as long as the Jeopardy song, here and gone...? He stood up and said "Balcones ma'am", tipped his hat as the the bell went off and the last of the four speed dates arrived.


OH MY!? This one has Alligator boots on and an eye patch that says 51.2%. Nice I think, I can handle that, but the boots??? He seems sweet, bit quiet. Quite seductive and inviting. His aftershave smells a bit floral with a hint of banana or pineapple, something fruity and clean smelling. I found myseld quite attracted to this one and had to kiss him. It was intoxicating, hard and long. He tasted of smoky charcoal and delicious orange marmalade. My mouth watered and it left me slightly light headed but wanting more. DING! 

The speed round was done and as I watched the four lovely characters I had just met I decided the alligator boots could be overlooked. I spent the rest of the evening with that one, what a dram!

Speed nosing/tasting is not for the feint at heart and honestly it was more fun than educational in nature. 

It was lots of fun with and I often found myself giggling my ass off trying to keep up.  In the end, I tried 4 lovely smoky drams with Alligator coming out on top as my favorite that day and spent an hour with friends from all over the world sharing a great experience.


Lassie

To add water or not add water? There is no question...

Nosing, tasting, drinking... is there truly a right or wrong way with regards to whisky? Well, some would take my vintage tea cup filled with Macallan 30 year old right out of my hand and slap me! 

What? It's true and you all know it. The whisky "snob"...  How I struggle with these people. They are more than happy to tell everyone there is only one way to enjoy whisky: theirs of course and if they don't like a whisky, well you shouldn't either!! Seriously? Tsk... tsk... tsk... 

An acquaintance recently posted on a Malt Maniac & Friends Facebook page that he (gasp...) was cooking a steak and (gafaw...) was apologizing to the the MM members that he dared (exhales and covers her mouth is shock...) to drink... Johnnie Walker Black...  OH MY GAWD, cue the horror movie music... wait, he said what? Drinking a whisky that he really likes. Apologized, what the hell for?? 

In my opinion, possibly to not face judgment from the many "snobs" who belong to that FB page and YES, good grief there are so many it's become a constant parade of ad nauseam comments about the latest Brora 35, Port Ellen 1982 or rarest of whiskies added to the collection with accompanying photos of a room filled with 100's of unopened "expensive" bottles. Fuck!? Really... is that what you think being a Malt Maniac is about - Bragging rights... 

I digress, like I tend to and it got me thinking, like some things often do. Where do some people get off "thinking" like that? "Oh Gawwd! You can't possibly enjoy Johnnie Walker Black, that is just the most vile disgusting whisky that I wouldn't even dare to clean my Home Depot toilet with!!!??? 

My nose is not symmetrical, nobody's is and mine has been super sensitive as far back as I can remember. My 2nd grade teacher used to make me tattle on who was chewing gum and I can smell something burning in the stove at least 15 minutes before anyone elso notices. Just call me "Radar O'Reilly" ... Does that make me special or an authority on how to sniff whisky, no...

So WHY do some of these people try to tell others how it's "done". Do you need to be told how to read a book or how to listen to music? Are you a master blender or whisky bible writer? No... so if you are not judging/rating whiskies and simply want to enjoy what is in your glass, why the pomp and circumstance? Rough guidelines if you are looking for aromas/flavors, sure why not? Do you need the Kentucky chew or the Jim Murray warm and spit? Absolutely not!!! 

My two hard & fast rules: This isn't wine so don't start by sticking your nose right down in the glass and don't gulp it when you take that first initial mouthful. When I introduce friends to whisky or if I'm hosting a class of some sort I make it a point to make fun of some of the "whisky Gods" who believe you should spend as much time with your first whisky as you did you first date or that you need to hold it in your mouth for at least 30 seconds before you even consider swallowing - You know sing Happy Birthday a few times in your head. Again, really?!

So to the many people who ask or want to know here is how I nose/taste a whisky if I'm judging or rating it, otherwise I sip it whatever way I want and you really should too.

For me it’s about using as many of my senses as possible: 

My first attempt is always nosing/tasting the whisky neat, which means no water or ice. I love using a Glencairn glass.  It is my nosing/tasting glass of choice.

I start with what I see:  Pretty simple.  Although I know some of these bottles may contain E150A (caramel), I still think it’s important to describe the color. I also swirl the glass and see what it has for legs (viscosity), which can help give an indication of age or ABV. In general if the legs are skinny, close and run fast – young whisky, if they are thick, far apart and run slow – older whisky.  If the ABV is higher than 50% (again in general), you get beading. I have always called it a string of pearls, because that's what it reminds me of. 

What do I smell: I start with a very small whiff quite a distance from the glass. I then approach the rim of the glass and gently and slowly inhale, moving the glass away from me and returning to nose it two more times. I use different areas of the rim as well as one nostril at a time sometimes and usually the last with my mouth open, inhaling from there.

What do I taste:  I usually take a very small sip of the whisky and just let it invade my mouth. I do swish it around and let it hit every crevice of my mouth. Usually takes me 5 seconds. The consequent sips are usually spent looking for specific flavors I think I got the first time around.

What do I feel: I then take a bit of the whisky from the glass and rub it on the meaty section of my hand (between my thumb and index fingers).  I do this to let the heat of my hand warm up the sample quickly.  I find this to be a great way to "remove" the alcohol burn and leaves nothing but other compounds that have other beautiful smells. It's often where I find the aromas associated with oak. 

Once I’ve gone through that routine, I’ll add very little water (sometimes just a drop or two) to open the whisky. Open the whisky? Make it bloom? Simply stated: Water makes ethanol more soluble and releases tightly bound flavour molecules (I have a chemistry degree sorry!?)  So the higher the alcohol content, the more water you can afford to add. 

For example:  If I think I’m nosing a cask strength, I will add about 10 to 15 drops of water (a teaspoon) for starters. Now if I’m wrong, I’ve potentially ruined a good dram. So I always caution to add water slowly, a bit at a time.

OK, so water added.  I repeat the process of nosing and tasting almost identically to the neat sample.

Sounds simple enough doesn’t it??? It’s taken me years to get that system down and trust that I’m doing it in a way that makes sense for me.

Please feel free to share what works for you? Here is to dramming, my or your way! Then again, what do I know?  hehehe....


Johanne