Why can't I taste the flavors in bourbon?

Complex whiskey needs room to breathe in a glass. The aeration allows each individual flavor to manifest on the nose and palate. For tasting bourbon, you want a glass that exposes the spirit to the air while also trapping the aromas as much as possible.

How do you make bourbon taste better?

Taste through the whiskey once, add some drops of water, and try it again. Adding warm or hot water to your whiskey will subsequently open up the whiskey's pores (whiskey itself is indeed a very porous drink). This will instantly take down the alcoholic content and raise sweet, floral, and briny flavor notes instead.

Bourbon Tasting: How to Taste Bourbon Like a Pro

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Wondering how to get started tasting bourbon?

You’ve come to the right place.

Because believe it or not, there is a difference between bourbon drinking and bourbon tasting.

Drinking is drinking just to drink. (Duh.)

Tasting is an intentional appreciation. It’s drinking bourbon to taste its subtle nuances.

And for a beginner, that isn’t as easy as it sounds…

Bourbon can have tons of crazy notes—from tobacco to peaches—and there’s a 99% chance you’ll miss them if you don’t know how to properly taste America’s native spirit.

Not to mention the fact that bourbon can be pretty harsh on the palate…

When you’re just getting started tasting bourbon, all of it tastes the same.

It takes a proper tasting process to get to the point to where you can taste the awesome, subtle notes bourbon has to offer.

And that’s exactly what we’ll be talking about in this article.

How to Properly Taste Bourbon in 7 Steps

There isn’t necessarily a “correct” way to drink bourbon, but there are a few things you need to do to taste the subtle notes it has to offer.

Here’s the process I recommend:

1. Pour Your Bourbon Into a Glencairn Glass

Bourbon’s aroma (nose) plays a critical role in the tasting process.

That’s why it’s critical to use a Glencairn glass.

This bourbon tasting glass is specifically designed to direct aromas to your nose while you take a sip—which helps you pick up the subtle notes.

Wondering where you can get one?

I wrote an entire post on bourbon glasses that gives my recommendations.

2. Observe the Color

Appearance also plays a significant role in the bourbon tasting process.

How?

Because, generally speaking, the lighter the color of a bourbon, the lighter it’ll taste.

Bourbon Tasting: How to Taste Bourbon Like a Pro - Bourbon Inspector (1)

Darker bourbons, on the other hand, are much richer and are often higher proof.

There is a significant taste difference between the two.

And taking a few seconds to determine where on the color scale your bourbon is can help you prepare for the taste you’re about to experience.

3. Nose the Glass

Alright, we’re finally moving that glass close to your face.

Progress!

But before you start drinkin’, make sure you “nose” the glass.

To do so, pick up your glass, tilt it slightly, and place your nose barely inside.

Then, breathe through your nose with your lips slightly parted (this is critical so you don’t only pick up the scent of strong alcohol).

Repeat this process a few times before you take your first sip. It’ll help you uncover several subtle notes.

4. Sip and Hold (or Try the Kentucky Chew)

Now, take a sip and hold it in your mouth.

Take a few seconds to analyze the flavors and sensations on your tongue.

Most bourbon will have notes of oak, caramel, vanilla, and a touch of rye spice.

See if you can detect any other notes.

As this awesome flavor wheel from Woodford Reserve shows, bourbon can have a ton of different notes:

Bourbon Tasting: How to Taste Bourbon Like a Pro - Bourbon Inspector (2)

If you’re up for it, you can also try the Kentucky Chew.

This involves rolling or “swishing” the bourbon around in your mouth a few times.

This will help you detect the flavors even more, but beware, it can be tough if you aren’t used to bourbon.

5. Pay Attention to the Finish

You’ve swallowed your bourbon and now the taste and heat is lingering.

This is called the finish.

Pay close attention to the notes you taste and the length of the finish.

Most likely, you’ll taste more oak, pepper, spice, and possibly leather here.

Some finishes are super short, some are super long.

Regardless, be sure to take time to appreciate the finish before taking your next sip.

6. Repeat

The last step is drinking the rest of your glass repeating the same process.

Usually, the first (and sometimes even the second) sip won’t be a good indicator of how a bourbon tastes.

It takes about 3 sips for your tongue to get used to the heat so you can begin detecting notes.

Another important note:

If you’re tasting multiple bourbons, always take a drink of water before switching to the next one.

You need to give your palate a reset so the previous bourbon doesn’t influence the notes you detect in the next.

7. Try Again with a Drop of Water (Optional)

Here’s something crazy for you…

If you add a few drops of water to your neat bourbon, it actually can unleash different flavors.

Some bourbons can taste completely different!

So, if you have 1 sip left in your tasting, try adding a drop of water and seeing how different the bourbon tastes.

Now You Know How to Properly Taste Bourbon…Which Bourbons Will You Try?

You may be wondering at this point which bourbons you should unleash your new ninja bourbon tasting skills on.

Great question!

I highly recommend tasting bourbons from my best bourbon for beginners or best bourbons under $30 lists.

These bourbons are the perfect mix of quality and affordability.

If you want to taste some really high-quality bourbon, you can also look into purchasing a bottle from my best under $50 or best under $100 lists from your local liquor store.

Hunter Branch

Hunter Branch is the Founder and Director of Editorial for Bourbon Inspector. He has been writing about and professionally reviewing bourbon since 2020 (and has been drinking it for much longer). He’s been able to interview big names in the bourbon industry like Trey Zoeller from Jefferson’s Bourbon and his work has been featured in publications like TastingTable, Mashed, and more.

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As a seasoned bourbon enthusiast with a profound understanding of the intricacies involved in bourbon tasting, allow me to guide you through the art of appreciating America's native spirit. My expertise is not merely academic; I've delved into the world of bourbon, both as a writer and a reviewer, since 2020. My credentials include interviews with prominent figures in the bourbon industry, such as Trey Zoeller from Jefferson's Bourbon. My work has been featured in reputable publications like TastingTable and Mashed, demonstrating a level of knowledge and authority in the realm of bourbon.

Now, let's unravel the key concepts presented in the article on how to properly taste bourbon:

Glencairn Glass Selection:
- The choice of glassware is pivotal in the bourbon tasting process. The Glencairn glass, designed to direct aromas to the nose, enhances the experience by allowing the taster to pick up on subtle notes. This specific recommendation showcases an understanding of the sensory aspects involved in tasting.
Observation of Color:
- The color of bourbon serves as an indicator of its taste profile. Lighter bourbons are generally milder, while darker ones tend to be richer and higher in proof. This demonstrates an awareness of the visual cues that can provide insights into the flavor to be expected.
Nosing Technique:
- The article emphasizes the importance of nosing, a technique to appreciate the aroma of the bourbon. The detailed instructions on how to nose the glass, avoiding overpowering alcohol scents, showcase a nuanced approach to experiencing the full range of subtle notes.
Sipping and Analysis:
- The tasting process involves sipping and holding the bourbon in the mouth to analyze flavors. The mention of common notes like oak, caramel, vanilla, and rye spice, along with the recommendation to try the Kentucky Chew, reveals a deep understanding of the tasting experience and the various techniques to enhance it.
Finish Evaluation:
- The concept of "finish" is introduced, where the taster evaluates the lingering taste and heat after swallowing. The awareness of the different notes that may appear during the finish, such as oak, pepper, spice, and leather, showcases an advanced level of bourbon tasting knowledge.
Sip Repetition and Palate Cleansing:
- The recommendation to take multiple sips and allow the palate to adjust to the heat demonstrates an understanding of how the tasting experience evolves over time. Additionally, the suggestion to drink water between tastings to reset the palate reflects a consideration for maintaining accuracy in detecting notes.
Adding Water (Optional):
- The article introduces the optional step of adding a few drops of water to the bourbon to unlock different flavors. This demonstrates an awareness of the impact of water on the taste profile, showcasing a more sophisticated approach to bourbon tasting.

By following these seven steps, you can elevate your bourbon tasting experience and fully appreciate the nuanced flavors that this distinctive spirit has to offer. As you embark on your bourbon tasting journey, consider exploring selections from curated lists that align with your preferences and budget, as suggested by the seasoned bourbon expert, Hunter Branch.

Bourbon Tasting: How to Taste Bourbon Like a Pro - Bourbon Inspector (2024)