Best tasting moment

Well, a cursory investigation has revealed the obvious. Tastings earlier in the can be more accurate since your palate is not yet tired. I guess that's common sense.

However, I'm not planning on tasting my whiskies that early - it will be a tough sell to the wife and kids.

I think the best thing to do is plan your tastings. The day I know I'm going to taste I not only avoid eating anything too spicy or aromatic I don't eat anything after lunch. This keeps my palate in working order for the evenings' festivities.

If you really must try this experiment at 10am then maybe you can literally just 'taste' - so spit instead of drinking. I don't think I could do that so that option is out for me.

Good luck. Let me know what else you find.

I know of no empirical or scientific data that support your documentary's suggested time restraint.

I usually follow the rather ostentatious 5 p.m.rule, but it's a matter of habit rather than guided by anything of substance. When I've applied the "it's 5 p.m. somewhere" rule, I've never been disappointed.

Truly, it's more a matter of whether you're willing to accept the spirit for what it is at the time, no matter the hour.

Enjoying spirits is not a game; therefore, there are no rules!

We brew several cups of Coffee a day and have done so for a very long time: Without exception, the brew after lunch has significantly more flavor than at any other time of the day. I've never understood the mechanics involved, as the method of preparation is identical; beans, grind, filtered water are all the same, yet the post lunch brew (about 1pm.) tastes richer and is simply more enjoyable!

I hope this is not too far off topic!

Slainte!

@A'bunadhman

Maybe it's how your palate is prepared by eating, or what you eat.

I acknowledge that there may be a best physiological time to taste spirits, but at the same time that may not correspond with health, safety, or schedule.

The rule I use is:

I have to be allowed (no driving, on call, specific child care responsibilities that may require driving) I have to be "allowed" - my CEO (wife) can usually find something "better" for me to do I have to have time to enjoy it I have to want it.

Not necessarily in that order, but 4 check marks = dram.

I heard the same thing and tried it.....l felt guilty for drinking so early

I'm with two-bit, 5pm and later. I usually start drinking water an hour before to get my mouth ready and eager for what is coming.

I drink in the morning all the time. For legitimate "tasting," too early in the day isn't good. My senses are all sort of dull when I wake up. But the later in the day, the more influenced your palate will be by other food and drink you have had.

But I don't think subtle influences from your lifestyle make the tasting less valid. I feel like that is all part of the experience. It is silly to attempt to taste your whisky in a vacuum.