whisky tasting

When you are enjoying a dram and trying to discern flavor notes do you eat any particular food before or afterwards? I can really taste differences between various scotches but I am having trouble really identifying the various flavor components.

Willie

"People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy."

Reply to
William Saens
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I'd not recommend any strong tasting food before tasting. In terms of recognising distinct flavours, this is always easier when comparing different malts. A is grassier than B C is smokier that D etc etc Also, you will find it easier to use notes that have done by others - Macallan and Ardbeg have produced some great tasting notes. All these are great starters but remember this is a very personal thing.

Reply to
Brett...

Borrowing "Brett's" reply to William Saens original post:

Use soda crackers for cleansing your palate if you are attempting to taste differences and note subtleties.

Do not use strong cheeses or sweets because those will affect what you note and do not note.

If, OTOH, you are using food as a vessel to enhance a particular dram, then all bets are off. Chocolates go great with sherry-heavy SMS, green olives with Islay malts, and aged cheddars with peaty drams.

The Ranger

Reply to
The Ranger

I really like a strong papillon noir (a Premium Blue cheese) with Lagavoulin or Ardbeg..ditto green olives and a strange as it may sound Hickory smoked almonds go great with a very sherried whisky

Reply to
ajames54

original post:

Hickory-smoked food, like almonds, lends itself to the sweeter, softer SMS. I've also enjoyed dried apricots and dried cherries with sherried whiskeys.

I can understand the attempted match-ups with Ardbeg and Lagavolin, though. Two hardy drinks would require an equal if you want an accompaniment. Anything softer, more subtle, would be lost. I find these two whiskeys when matched against many foods similar to a scrum between Munster and Dragons; sounding great until the actual match, then a major disappointment.

The Ranger

Reply to
The Ranger

After all these postings I forgot all about the particular flavor notes. I got some firm bodied green olives, smoked almonds, sharp cheddar and a heavy rye bread with olive butter and I am settling down and simply enjoying my foods and sipping various scotches. It's all good.

Willie

"I always keep a stimulant handy in case I see a snake, which I also keep handy."

Reply to
William Saens

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