How do you taste a malt?

I pick up 70% of the aromas on the nose, and 30% from the taste. I've spent hours on the nose of certain whiskies without having a sip.

When tasting it, take a very small amount in your mouth. Gently swirl it around in your mouth, to make sure it reaches all receptors of your tongue. My idea of a mouthwash is a little too rough - you don't want to burn your palate. There's a rule that says "1 second for each year of maturation" but I usually find that too long. I'd say +/- 10 seconds in your mouth before you take it down. Whatever you do, don't take in extra air (like you do when tasting a wine), it will only make the alcohol stronger.

As for detecting flavours, you'll have to learn to "deduct" the alcohol. When someones notices a peach aroma, it won't be actual peach but something like peaches drenched in heavy alcohol, which is obviously not the same thing. It takes some time to get to know the possible flavours and to relate to them. I'd suggest to get to know a couple of whiskies very well, and then read as much tasting notes as you can (especially from trusted sources) while tasting it. That way you can find some relationships between the actual drink and the words people use to describe it.

I agree with @WhiskyNotes about spending some time with one whisky and getting to know it's different flavours and comparing with reviews. When I first started drinking whisky for the flavours and aromas I spent a lot of time with Chivas Regal 12 getting a "taste" for the tastes and flavours. Then I moved onto single malts.

Thanks for these comments. I'll try one malt and get to know it and find the flavours. Interesting point about not letting in more air, and the timing re seconds was useful too. Thanks. Drinking Dalwhinnie at the moment.

Michael640, good post, and good question. I am also pretty new to the whole whisky thing, but I will still throw in my 2 cents worth. Small variations in things make a big difference with tasting whiskies... To large an amount will leave you overcome by the alcohol vapours, but I find that with to small a sip the whisky is 'drowned' by saliva in just the same way that it would be if you added excessive water.

Try to make sure that you get a good glass to drink from. a glencairne glass is perfect, but a small wine glass is a good stand in. If you are currently drinking from a tumbler you will be amazed what a difference it makes to the nosing experience.

Whisky changes as it rests in the glass, so experiment with how long you leave it to 'open up' after pouring and before nosing and drinking. Try leaving it for this period covered (there are glass lids for this, or use a coaster!) or uncovered.

Different people have different views on adding water, so experiment a bit with how much water you add to different strengths of whisky.

I know this has all been a bit tangental to your original post, but these are all things that will make a difference to what you get out of your whisky, before it even gets near to your nose, or your mouth.

@Peatpete and while your on the subject of glasses in case you missed it why not watch my video review of these glasses and enter the competition to win a set!

connosr.com/distilled/issue-4/…

I think I'm allowed shameless plugs for Distilled aren't I?

@Piero Glad you did plug, as I had not gotten round to reading Distilled. Good piece, very interesting.