Tasting and Comments

The art of tasting is a very individual concern which we are readily willing to attest to in our club and which gives rise to many interesting, lively and regular continental debates. I mention continental, as, being based in what is termed an ‘ex-pat’ location, the club hosts representative members from many countries, and thus continents….Africa, Europe, Americas and the Antipodes! We are still searching for members from Asia, Eastern Europe and Antarctica.  

Within this maelstrom of independent thinkers it has been pointed out that we have three predominant continental tasting processes: the generally European approach of sipping the nectar ‘neat’ before adding a touch of water to compare the different sensual merits evident to both natural states (a very mature and cultured approach); the more American method of sipping the nectar ‘straight’ and never sullying such beauty by diluting the taste with water (a very traditional colonies sipping method, Huckleberry Finn etc.,) and finally those who insist that if it aint got ice in it you can’t taste anything!...and so will judge the nectar only with ice in it (this of course is the Antipodean preference, a land where ice forms naturally!!).    

In fact if you refer to Jim Murray’s 2009 Whiskey Bible he thanks no less than 480 plus individuals, including one called Borat!! (page 359), for their assistance in helping him accumulate the remarks of wisdom and reference contained in his Bible. 

So whisky tasting, like wine tasting, is a very personal interpretation that needs input from many in order to provide a common response to its merits. What the Bible tries to do is encourage you to identify the more elusive phenols that may initially falter on your discerning palate and support these nuances with an overall opinion based on the advice of experts.

As a club, with 20 regular attendees equipped with varying degrees of knowledge, understanding and moderation there will be many differing opinions most based on personal tastes, experience and enthusiasm.

The opinions given in our ‘Tasters Choice’ section are the accumulated wisdoms and remarks of the members with as much individual comments thrown in to display the often broad range of reactions to the various malts.

We thrust our comments, rather then the prices, can be a guide to your future enjoyment.