At our gentlemen’s club, we pride ourselves on having some of the best whiskies on offer for our clients, but do you know the correct etiquette for tasting whisky? We’ve put together some pointers, so you can show you know your stuff whether you’re on a stag do or after a business meeting!
Please note that even though we can give you some guidance, everybody’s taste is different and there are no right or wrong answers. So don’t go getting into arguments if your opinion differs from that of others!
The Glass
You may not think this matters, but it does. When you’re tasting, the aromas need to be caught within the glass so you can get a good smell of the whisky. A glass with a narrow rim is best as it allows the smell to be directed straight to the nose. The perfect glass is called a snifter, but wine or brandy glasses also work.
The Nose
The smell of a whisky gives you a good idea of how a whisky will taste, and a long sniff also gets the juices flowing. The whisky has been cooped up in a casket for a long time, so allow it to ‘breathe’, and make sure you swirl it around the glass to release its aromas. Once the alcohol is evaporating, try to identify any aromas you might recognise, such as ‘fruity’, ‘smoky’, ‘light’, ‘heavy’ or ‘spicy’ fragrances. This should give you a better idea of what the whisky will taste like.
The Palate
This is the best part! Don’t go knocking it back like a shot – that’s a total waste. Sip the whisky and hold it in your mouth for a little while, this will help you to taste it properly. Allow the whisky to reach every part of your tongue, so your taste buds can identify any sweet, sour or salty tastes.
The Finish
You could call this the ‘aftertaste’. Once the whisky has been swallowed and the alcoholic burn has faded, the ‘complexities’ of the whisky come through. By this, we mean that other flavours come to the fore that you may not have noticed on your original sip. Take your time and relish these flavours to discover which whiskies are more desirable to your palate. The ‘length’ of the finish is how long it takes for those flavours to disappear. It could be a short, medium or long finish.
4Play’s Whiskies
We have a wide selection of whiskies for tasting. Our super-premium selection is out of this world and all varieties sell at 8000 HUF / 27 EUR:
- The Antiquary 21 Year Old
- Bowmore 17 Years White Sands
- Jameson 18 Years
- The Nikka 12 Years Old
- Copper Fox Rye
Premium whiskies sell at 5000 HUF / 17 EUR:
- Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select
- Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
- Laphroaig 10 Year Old
- Tullamore D.E.W 12 Year Old Special Reserve
Don’t hesitate to ask our bartenders if you would like a selection of whiskies for tasting or simply to enjoy as you savour our magnificent shows. Did we mention that the best place for whisky tasting is our VIP bar? Give this exclusive atmosphere a try with our most beautiful ladies.
