| Whisky is loved all over the world because of its | | | | Whisky Tasting is an art. If you are keen to learn |
| aromas and flavors. Whisky is a natural product | | | | whisky tasting, you need a clean tulip-shaped |
| and whisky making is a time-honored craft. For | | | | nosing glass and a jug of bottled still water at |
| many people drinking whisky with friends is one | | | | room temperature. You should select a suitable |
| of life's great pleasures. | | | | glass for nosing and a tulip shaped glass tends to |
| Whisky as a drink is about pleasure as well as | | | | be best. This type of glass will trap the aromas in |
| appreciation. There is no fine line between | | | | the bulbous bottom of the glass and release them |
| whiskies designed only for pleasure and whiskies | | | | through the small area at the top of the glass. |
| designed only for appreciation. One should drink his | | | | Whisky is often drunk from a crystal tumbler. |
| whisky any way he wishes to. People drinking | | | | This is perfectly acceptable, and is in fact more |
| whisky for the first time should not take it | | | | practical for drinking, however, the tulip shaped |
| without mixing water. People accustomed to | | | | glass is better for nosing purposes. |
| drinking just beer and wine don't ever encounter | | | | You have to hold the glass up to a neutral |
| pain when they drink their drinks because the | | | | background and have a good look at the color. |
| alcohol levels of those drinks are below the pain | | | | Color can give an indication of age and wood finish |
| threshold of the tongue. A beginner should start | | | | of the whisky; however, one can never trust his |
| with about half and half, whisky to water. Whisky | | | | eyes. Any assumptions made on color must be |
| at its perfect blend will maintain their core flavor | | | | confirmed on the nose e.g. a dark rich amber |
| characteristics at this strength, and it doesn't hurt | | | | colored whisky may have been a new drink; |
| your mouth. | | | | matured in an ex-sherry barrel or it may be an |
| Being into a whisky distillery is a memorable | | | | older whisky. |
| experience. These are the places where casks | | | | For tasting the whisky through the nose, you |
| and casks of whisky lay maturing. Whisky | | | | have to add a splash of bottled still water to your |
| distilleries have an intoxicating, heady aroma. Once | | | | whisky. The water will reduce the alcohol content, |
| you smell the wood from the casks and all sorts | | | | and raise the temperature slightly releasing more |
| of fruity compounds evaporating off the whisky | | | | of the aromas. Ensure you nose the whisky more |
| into the air, you will definitely like it. I guess it's | | | | than once. You would first smell a rush of alcohol |
| more a "bouquet" than simply an aroma, because | | | | other characteristics will follow quickly. Holding your |
| it's so complex, comprised of so many different, | | | | mouth open slightly when nosing should help you |
| complementary aromas. | | | | take in more of the whisky's aromas. |