Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Palate Building
Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Palate Building
Mark Etinger
Many people who are recent converts to the world of scotch are eager to try new scotches, whether they are single malts scotches or blended. After some sampling, however, when you begin to develop a taste and preference, it is important to be able to describe to liquor distributors what you are looking for. It is important to develop a vocabulary of flavors so that experts can help you find the scotches you are looking for.
One simple and easy way to describe to a whiskey sommelier or store clerk what you want is by comparing it to a popular brand already on the market. For example, you could tell your clerk at the liquor store you are looking for something that tastes like Jack Daniels whiskey or Glenfiddich. This will give the clerk a good idea of what kind of flavor profile for which you are looking. You can even try comparing what you want to liquor, like Disaronno Amaretto. The problem with this method is that it’s amateurish. The clerk or sommelier will not know what it is you like about that particular brand, so you can only go so far.
A better method is to learn aspects of the flavor profile you like and ask for recommendations based off those criteria. For instance, you could say that you like the clean taste of Edradour or the fruity taste of Glendornach. This will allow whoever is helping you to zero in on what it is that you like about a given whiskey.
The same could be said about things to avoid. For example you could ask for something that is not as smokey as Springbank or not as strong as Longrow. This will, at the very least, help you avoid something you know you won’t enjoy. When your palate really develops you can begin seeking whiskeys that combine your favorite aspects of other brands and avoid flavors you don’t like. At this point I would suggest using the Whiskey Wheel. The Whiskey Wheel is a round chart broken into six flavors; woody, winey, cereal, fruity, floral, peaty, fenty and sulphury. These flavors are in turn broken into different sub flavors.
As your palate develops further you will be able to mix and match sub flavors from the wheel to find the ideal scotch. That is when the real fun begins, tasting scotches from around the world and seeing their different flavor profiles. Refining you palate and finding your absolute favorite whiskey is just the start of your tasting journey. Once you have the tasting tools, you can truly appreciate any scotch brands.
The Whiskey Place is your source for single malt scotch whiskey by legendary distilleries such as Glenmorangie, Glenfiddich, and Glenrothes.
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