Bourbon is a whiskey that is made predominantly from corn and oak barrels. As per the market reports, bourbon sold in the United States must meet the following requirements. So, if you are visiting American distillery bourbon, then always check the below points.

It should be made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn.
Aged in new charred oak barrels.
Distilled to no more than 160 proofs, 80% alcohol.
Entered into the barrel for aging at a proof.
Bottled at no less than 80 proof.

Quick Review: Bourbon is a type of American whiskey that is distilled from a mash made primarily of corn. Despite its popularity and growing usage, the spirit remains a mystery to many.

How To Taste Bourbon Like A Pro?

Drinking bourbon is not tasting bourbon. Suppose you are tasting it to get the right quality of the drink. In that case, it is all about examining its appearance, aromas, flavors, notes, and nuances, checking its different finishes, and more. In this write-up, we have discussed the things that can help you taste bourbon, just like a pro.

It Is About The Glass:

The first step to any tasting is to acquire the perfect tasting glass. When tasting bourbon, your observations will be hindered or enhanced depending on the shape of your glass. However, here, rock glasses are the best option for serious drinkers. Moreover, if you will opt for the tulip-shaped glass with a small base, you can enjoy the easy drinking with a strong grip.

Let’s learn more about tasting the bourbon in Bourbon Street Distillery, just like a pro.

1. Appearance:

Once you got the right type of glass for tasting bourbon in the American bourbon distillery, it is time to pour a finger width of bourbon and check its appearance. A well-trained eye can evaluate the age, strength and filtration method in one go through its appearance.

“Note: If the bourbon has matured properly, then it may come up in the glass with a dark shad and rich color.”

“Tip: Here, the first-time users or beginners should ensure to take note of the bourbon’s clarity and intensity of color. Clarity of bourbon ranges from clear to hazy, and the intensity ranges from light to opaque.”

2. Aroma:

Well-trained tasters usually consider aroma to be the most important step of the evaluation. Similar to a wine tasting, aerate the bourbon by swirling it around in its glass. Here, you can put your nose to the glass and can observe the aroma.

Tip: One important thing to remember here is that experience the smell of the drink but with your lips parted. If your mouth is closed, the smell of alcohol can dominates the aroma and the bourbon complex.

3. Taste:

The best way to taste the bourbon is through the “Kentucky Chew” method. Once you have taken a sip of bourbon, use a chewing motion to coat your tongue with the spirit. The entire tongue must be coated so that all the taste receptors or tasting zones are equally represented.

Here, first-time consumers should take note of sweetness, texture, and flavor intensity. Like, it could taste dry, sweet, or somewhere in the middle.

Tip: To make your experience much better, add a tiny drop of water to aerate the aroma and flavors even more. The most important point, the water much be distilled.

Moving on, the final examination is completely dependent on the different tastes and sensations left after swallowing. A quick finish of the drink means the taste dissipates quickly. A long finish means flavors linger with the taster and are delicious. Here, the beginners should take note of the length of the finish of the drink and the new flavors.