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

Ardbeg Smokiverse - French version - Bananas /2025
Ardbeg Smokiverse - French version - Bananas /2025
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
H. Deringer Small Batch
H. Deringer Small Batch
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Glenfarclas 21 Years
Glenfarclas 21 Years
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Miniature Jura 12 Years
Miniature Jura 12 Years
0,05/ l · incl.  VAT
Symington's Blended Scotch Whisky 10Y-/2025
Symington's Blended Scotch Whisky 10Y-/2025
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Stauning RYE - new design
Stauning RYE - new design
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Boann PX Single Pot Still
Boann PX Single Pot Still
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch 12 /2025
Kilkerran Heavily Peated Batch 12 /2025
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Glen Ord 100 Proof Edition #46 Signatory Vintage 12Y-2012/2025
Glen Ord 100 Proof Edition #46 Signatory Vintage 12Y-2012/2025
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Lindores The Exclusive Cask Ex Rum Peat Barrel #19/0374 2019/2023
Lindores The Exclusive Cask Ex Rum Peat Barrel #19/0374 2019/2023
0,7/ l · incl.  VAT
Finch Distillers Choice Barrique R 10 Years
Finch Distillers Choice Barrique R 10 Years
0,5/ 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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