What allows you to taste and evaluate spirits in a consistent way and to record your notes systematically?
The Systematic Approach to Tasting Spirits
(SAT)
What are the ideal conditions for a tasting room?
- Odor-free
- Good natural light
- White surface to judge appearance of the spirit
Define:
ISO glass
A great glass for tasting spirits, which includes a bowl with a tulip shape to concentrate the aromas toward the nose.
ISO stands for International Standards Organization
What is the ideal sample size for tasting spirits?
0.5 US fl. oz
(15 mL)
What is the order of tasting components, according to the SAT?
- Appearance
- Nose
- Palate
- Final conclusion about quality
What should you make a quick note of regarding the appearance of a spirit, before adding water?
- clarity
- intensity
- color
What does haze in a spirit indicate?
Faulty
Some premium spirits that are not filtered and can become hazy when chilled or with the addition of water.
Exception: some unfiltered premium spirits may become hazy when chilled or diluted.
Define:
Louching
A reaction that happens with some spirits turning opaque and cloudy when water is added for dilution.
Common in aniseed-based spirits.
Define:
Water-white
It describes the color of all spirits when they come off the still.
Example: vodka remains water-white when bottled.
What is the measure of how easily one can see through a spirit?
Clarity
What term is used for spirits that can not be seen through at all?
Opaque
Example: cream liqueurs.
When would a spirit have a pale color intensity?
When the producer has used no caramel color or has aged the spirit in barrels that were not new.
What are common color descriptors often used for wood-aged spirits?
- Lemon (pale yellow)
- Amber
- Brown
Should you swirl a glass of spirit when smelling?
No
Swirling can cause increased alcohol evaporation, which can impact the ability to smell fine aromas in the spirit.
What is one of the most common faults in spirits?
Bottle deterioration after being left open too long.
Define:
The Spirit Lexicon
A table of aroma/flavor descriptors grouped into:
- Raw materials
- Processing
- Oak & maturation
Excessive aromas of heads or tails in a spirit are considered what?
Faulty
What aromas are associated with oxygen during oak maturation?
Vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other oak-derived spices.
What is a good dilution ratio of water to spirit for assessment purposes?
50:50
This allows the aromas to emerge while diluting the impact of alcohol.
What five tastes can the tongue perceive?
- Sweet
- Sour
- Salt
- Bitter
- Umami
What taste is not typically present in spirits?
Salt
What are the two important tastes in spirits?
Sweet and bitter
How are newly distilled spirits described in terms of sweetness?
Dry
Sugar is added after distillation.
How can vanilla and fruity aromas be deceiving with regards to sweetness?
They give the illusion of sweetness when in combination, even if there is no sugar present.
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Tasting and Evaluating Spirits35
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Factors Affecting the Style and Quality of Spirits35
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The Spirits Industry15
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Fruit Spirits26
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Whisky/Whiskey30
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Sugar Cane Spirits37
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Tequila and Mezcal38
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Vodka18
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Techniques for Flavoring and Coloring Spirits13
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Flavored Spirits21
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Aromatised Wines13
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An Introduction to a Spirits Bar41
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Mixing with Spirits36
