And there’s no shame in adding water: Most pros add at least a couple drops of water to their glasses.Ī thorough whiskey tasting consists of at least two sips, minimum, with the first prepping your palate and the second actually conveying the flavors. Like almost all experts, Leighton suggests tasting all whiskey neat at first (no water, no ice), and then deciding if and how much water you might want to add to reduce the alcohol burn. “There’s enjoyment to be had by dissecting the aromas that you’re getting and trying to fit them into the clues that you’ve already been given in the tasting notes.” While you’re enjoying the “evolving sensory experience” of nosing, as Leighton puts it, return to the aroma notes on the bottle. This way, you’ll get more sweetness and less alcohol, as the alcohol fumes will rise and slip out of the top of the glass. And as you then get into the whiskey, that fruitiness becomes a bit more intense,” he says.Īnother pro tip: Try tilting the glass horizontally and nosing the lower part of the rim. With the Redbreast 12-year-old, for example, you’re going to get some of those dried fruit characters. “You’re going to get the effect of the spirit first, and then the character starts to build up. Instead, he suggests slowly raising the glass to your nose and noting how the aromas change as it approaches. For me, that’s not how to do it,” says Leighton. “I’ve seen some people take a glass and stick their nose right in it. Next comes the (first half of) the main course: nosing the whiskey. If it’s thin and moves quickly, you’re looking at a more light, floral experience. This indicates the viscosity of the whiskey: If it’s thick and moves slowly down the glass, you can expect a creamy, full mouthfeel. “Get light behind the glass, and give it a swirl to see what the liquid is actually doing in the glass.” What you’re looking for here is color and more importantly “legs,” which refers to the way the whiskey runs down the sides of the glass after you swirl. “Before even nosing your whiskey, hold it up to the light,” says Leighton. It’s a very satisfying noise.” Crucial to remember here is that, “There’s a lot of pleasure to be had before even actually tasting a whiskey,” he says. How to Watch Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebrationīut the auditory experience doesn’t stop there: “And even the pour itself, you know, if it’s a full bottle, if it’s a new bottle, you’re gonna get that noise that goes with the pour from a bottle of whiskey. “Again, it’s a simple thing and people just say, ‘Oh, well if we want to pour the whiskey, obviously we have to take the cork out,’ but there’s a certain pleasure to be had in listening to the cork, and the noise of the pop that you get whenever it comes out of the bottle.” “Enjoy pulling the cork out of the bottle,” he says. And his next step in the tasting process - listening to the bottle’s sounds - is probably his most romantic suggestion, but we recommend heeding it. “I think that’s important and it’s part of the enjoyment process that people maybe forget about or just skip past.”Īs expected from someone with 47 years in the business, Leighton is a whiskey romantic. “You should get yourself into the frame of mind of what it is you’re actually going to taste,” says Leighton. Note what kind of whiskey it is, what strength it is, and - if available - what kind of tasting notes to expect. Leighton’s first step to a great whiskey-tasting experience seems obvious, but many drinkers (even pros) forget it: “Look at the bottle, first of all, because there is an awful lot of information on the label,” he says. Below is a step-by-step guide to enjoying a nice bottle of whiskey, all with tips from Billy Leighton. You have your whiskey and your glasses now it’s time to dive in. How to Drink Whiskey: A Step-by-Step Beginner Guide Check out his guide further down this page, and see below for the necessary goods. We had Leighton walk us through his version of the whiskey-tasting ritual, and we think it can turn anyone into a whiskey lover. “Trying a premium whiskey like Redbreast, It’s not just a matter of, you know, getting the bottle and pouring the glass and drinking it. But, he says, it all comes down to what you’re trying and how you’re trying it. “Some people are daunted if they’re not experienced Whiskey drinkers,” says Leighton. Leighton has been with the brand for the last 47 years, playing a crucial role in the production of iconic Irish whiskeys like Jameson and Redbreast. But, like any activity, learning to enjoy whiskey only requires a great guide, and we’re here to provide one: Billy Leighton, master blender emeritus at Irish Distillers. It’s strong, there are endless expressions, and sometimes whiskey snobs can be, well, snobs. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
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