The Tasting Order

Sylvia Simm | 26. February 2024

When tasting Whisky, it is important to follow a sensible sequence. It is advisable not to taste too many Whiskies.

Less is often more!

Smelling also gives us a good impression. Four to a maximum of five whiskies in one evening is enough!

The more alcohol we drink, the less we can distinguish the flavour. The strain on the taste buds is high! Professional blenders who work for Whisky companies taste whiskies in the morning with fresh taste buds and for a short time.

Table of content

What should we consider when tasting Whisky?

The first criterion for the order of tasting single malt is age. The older the whisky, the fuller and more voluminous it is. Whiskies matured in wine casks have strong flavours and should follow. How smoky a whisky is also plays a role. Smoke fills the nose and mouth and should therefore be tasted at the end. The alcohol content should also be taken into account. The higher the percentage by volume, the further back a whisky should slide in the tasting order.

Also be careful with food in between. Starch is broken down into sugar in the mouth and sweetens the flavour.

A possible example of a tasting sequence of single malt whiskies:

A mild Lowland to start with: Glenkinchie
Then from the Highlands without after-ageing: Cragganmore
Followed by an older whisky: Dalwhinnie15 years or an after-ageing: Aberlour

Drink plenty of water in between!

Now smoky whiskies can follow!
A slightly smoky whisky from the Highlands or from the coast: Highland Park, Oban
or a smoky whisky from the island of Islay: Caol Ila
or a heavily smoky whisky: Laphroaig, Lagavulin

Caution: If a high-proof whisky is NOT diluted, it should be categorised towards the end.

Video by Horst Lüning on the tasting order of single malts from 2014

A possible example of a tasting sequence of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys

There are other criteria to consider when tasting bourbon. Overall, bourbon is milder than single malt Scotch whisky due to the distilling process. A high proportion of wheat also makes bourbon milder. A fresh American white oak barrel, on the other hand, gives the bourbon a distinct flavour. The age of the whisky is therefore the most important criterion for the order of tasting. If there is no age on the bottle, it is between two and four years. The second criterion is the grain blend. Then comes the type and treatment of the cask - the darker the whisky, the more intense the flavour. So pay attention to the proportion of wheat, the age, the colour and the alcohol content.

Here is a suggestion:

Makers Mark
Bulleit
Knob Creek
Blanton's is a single barrel and therefore has more flavours
Baker's
Elijah Craig 12J, old age!

Please also note the alcohol content in the order!

Video by Horst Lüning on the tasting order of Kentucky Straight Bourbon from 2014

Conclusion

Less flavour at the beginning - stronger flavour at the end!

Suitable Whiskies for your tasting

Bunnahabhain Cask No. 1299 16Y-2007/2023
Bunnahabhain Cask No. 1299 16Y-2007/2023
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
J.B.G. Münsterländer Single Malt 13Y-2010/2024
J.B.G. Münsterländer Single Malt 13Y-2010/2024
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Benriach Cask Edition Oloroso Sherry 28Y-1994/2022
Benriach Cask Edition Oloroso Sherry 28Y-1994/2022
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Caol Ila Fill Palo Cortado Sherry Hogshead - Best Dram 16Y-2007/2023
Caol Ila Fill Palo Cortado Sherry Hogshead - Best Dram 16Y-2007/2023
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Inchgower Cask No. 802936 11Y-2012/2023
Inchgower Cask No. 802936 11Y-2012/2023
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Kilchoman Batch Strength /2024
Kilchoman Batch Strength /2024
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Glenturret Triple Wood /2023
Glenturret Triple Wood /2023
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Glendronach Grandeur Batch 12 29 Years
Glendronach Grandeur Batch 12 29 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Whitlaw Signatory Vintage 10Y-2013/2024
Whitlaw Signatory Vintage 10Y-2013/2024
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Benriach First Fill Palo Cortado Sherry Hogshead - Best Dram 13Y-2010/2023
Benriach First Fill Palo Cortado Sherry Hogshead - Best Dram 13Y-2010/2023
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Auchentoshan Small Batch No. 01 7Y-2015/2023
Auchentoshan Small Batch No. 01 7Y-2015/2023
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Balblair Conn. Cask Strength 26Y-1997/2023
Balblair Conn. Cask Strength 26Y-1997/2023
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
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Sylvia Simm is an experienced employee of Whisky.de. After more than 20 years in online sales and service, she supports the company with her extensive whisky knowledge in marketing. As online editor and content manager, she is responsible for editing and updating the texts on the knowledge pages.

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