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Opening a new door every day is half the fun of a whisky advent calendar. The other half is what happens next. If you know how to taste whisky properly, a small 3cl dram can tell you a surprising amount: where it was made, what cask it grew up in, and whether you’d like a full bottle of it.
The good news is that tasting whisky well isn’t complicated. You don’t need special training or a fancy vocabulary. You just need to slow down and follow a few simple steps.
Quick answer: how do you taste whisky properly? Pour the dram into a tulip-shaped glass and look at its colour. Gently nose it with your mouth slightly open, then take a small sip and let it coat your tongue. Notice the finish after you swallow, then add a few drops of water and taste it again.
What You’ll Need?
- A tulip-shaped glass. A Glencairn or a small wine glass is ideal. The narrow top gathers the aromas so you can actually smell them. A wide tumbler lets them escape.
- A glass of still water. For drinking between drams and for adding a few drops to the whisky.
- A small dropper or teaspoon. So you can add water a little at a time.
- Your tasting card. To note what you find each day.
- A quiet moment. Tasting works best when you aren’t rushing, so an evening after dinner is perfect.
How to Taste Whisky in 5 Steps?
Step 1: Look at the Colour
Pour your dram and hold the glass up against something white, like a sheet of paper or a napkin. Whisky ranges from pale straw to deep amber and mahogany.
Colour can hint at the cask. Whiskies matured in sherry casks often look richer and redder, while bourbon casks tend to give a golden shade. Some whiskies have added colouring, though, so treat it as a clue rather than a rule.
Give the glass a gentle swirl and watch the liquid run down the sides. These trails are called “legs” or “tears”. Slow, thick legs usually point to a fuller, richer whisky.
Step 2: Nose the Whisky
Smell is where most of the flavour lives, so take your time here.
Bring the glass towards your nose slowly, and keep your mouth slightly open. This lets the alcohol vapour pass through, so it doesn’t sting your nose. Take a few gentle sniffs rather than one deep breath.
Ask yourself simple questions. Is it fruity, like apples, pears or dried fruit? Sweet, like honey, vanilla or toffee? Spicy, like cinnamon or pepper? Smoky, like a bonfire or peat?
Write down the first thing that comes to mind. There are no wrong answers. If it reminds you of your gran’s Christmas cake, that’s a perfectly good tasting note.
Step 3: Take a Small Sip
Take a small sip, smaller than you think. Let it sit in your mouth for a few seconds and roll it gently over your tongue, so it reaches every part.
The first sip often feels strong, because your mouth is adjusting to the alcohol. That’s normal. Many whisky lovers treat the first sip as a “warm-up” and judge the whisky on the second.
Some tasters use the “Kentucky chew”: gently moving the whisky around the mouth for a few seconds, as if chewing it. It sounds odd, but it really helps the flavours open up.
Step 4: Notice the Finish
The finish is the flavour that stays after you swallow. Some whiskies fade in a few seconds. Others linger for a minute or more, often changing as they go, perhaps from sweet to spicy, or from fruity to smoky.
A long, evolving finish is one of the signs of a really well-made whisky, so pay attention to it.
Step 5: Add Water and Taste Again
Now add a few drops of water and taste again. You’ll often find new aromas and flavours that weren’t there before. We explain why in the next section.
Should You Add Water to Whisky?
Yes, a few drops are well worth trying. A small amount of water can take the edge off the alcohol and open up the aroma, especially in stronger whiskies.
The key is to add it drop by drop. Too much water at once can flatten the whisky. Start with two or three drops, taste, then add a little more if you like.
There’s no fixed rule. Some whiskies are best neat, while others come alive with water. Try each advent dram both ways and note which you prefer. That’s part of the fun.
For tasting, skip the ice. Ice numbs your tongue and hides the flavours. Save it for a relaxed drink rather than a tasting.
Common Whisky Flavours and Where They Come From
You don’t need a big vocabulary to describe whisky. This simple table covers the flavours you’re most likely to find in your advent drams.
| Flavour family | What you might notice | Where it usually comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Fruity | Apple, pear, citrus, dried fruit | Fermentation and the type of cask |
| Sweet | Honey, vanilla, toffee, caramel | Bourbon casks |
| Rich and spicy | Raisins, cinnamon, Christmas cake | Sherry casks |
| Floral and grassy | Fresh-cut grass, flowers, hay | Lighter styles, often Lowland whiskies |
| Smoky | Bonfire, peat, iodine, the seaside | Peat used to dry the barley, common on Islay |
| Woody | Oak, nuts, a little dryness | Long years in the cask |
Tips for Tasting Your Advent Calendar Drams
An advent calendar is the perfect way to train your palate, because you taste a different whisky every day. A few tips help you get the most from it.
Taste at the same time each day. Your senses work best when you’re relaxed and haven’t just eaten something strong, so an evening after dinner works well.
Keep the drams at room temperature. Cold whisky hides its aromas. If your calendar has been in a cold room, let the dram sit in the glass for a few minutes.
Keep notes every day. Even three words per dram is enough. By Christmas Eve, you’ll be able to look back and see clearly which styles you enjoy most.
Compare with yesterday. If you kept a little of yesterday’s dram, taste the two side by side. Comparing is one of the fastest ways to learn.
Rinse your glass between drams. Leftover aromas from a smoky whisky can easily mask a delicate one.
Note your favourites. Circle your top three on your tasting cards. They’ll tell you which full bottle to look out for in the new year.
Common Whisky Tasting Mistakes
- Sniffing too hard. A deep breath of whisky stings and numbs your nose. Gentle sniffs work much better.
- Using a tumbler. A wide glass lets the aromas escape before you can smell them.
- Judging on the first sip. Your mouth needs a sip to adjust. Judge on the second.
- Adding too much water at once. Add it drop by drop, or you may lose the flavour completely.
- Tasting straight after strong food. Spicy or garlicky food overpowers delicate flavours. Wait a while, or have a plain cracker first.
FAQs
What is the best glass for tasting whisky?
A tulip-shaped glass such as a Glencairn is best, because its narrow top gathers the aromas. A small wine glass works well too.
Should you add water or ice to whisky?
A few drops of water can open up the aroma and flavour, so it’s worth trying. Ice is best avoided when tasting, because the cold dulls the flavours.
How do you write whisky tasting notes?
Note four things: the colour, the nose (smell), the palate (taste) and the finish. Use simple, everyday words, like “honey”, “apple” or “bonfire smoke”. There are no wrong answers.
How much whisky do you need to taste it properly?
A small dram is plenty. A 3cl advent calendar dram is enough to taste it neat and again with a few drops of water.
Why does whisky burn the first time you sip it?
Your mouth is adjusting to the alcohol. The second sip almost always feels smoother and shows more flavour.
Tasting whisky properly is really about slowing down and paying attention. Follow these steps with each of your advent calendar drams, and by Christmas you’ll know exactly what you love. If you’d like the chance to win a full bottle along the way, enter our Free Monthly Draw. We give away a new bottle of whisky every month, and no purchase is needed.