THE SCIENCE OF SPIRTS

TASTING

METHODS PART 2 A Simple Spirits Evaluation Procedure

By George F Manska, Corporate Strategy Officer, inventor & entrepreneur, Chief Research & Development Arsilica, Inc.

In Tasting Methods 1, we discussed development of aroma recognition. A simple evaluation procedure used consistently will standardize all evaluations on to a fair and level playing field for all spirits and wines.

GLASSWARE: Tulips concentrate anesthetic ethanol at the nose, restrict swirling, and are too tall to allow many low-concentration aromas to rise to the rim for olfactory detection. NEAT glass or a wide-mouth tumbler avoids ethanol anesthesia and renders truthful evaluation. Tulips, originally designed for 20% ABV sherry and other fortified wines are useless for 40% ABV spirits. Wash glasses in hot water, no soap, hand-polish to remove all detergent and surfactants (spot removers).

SMALL SAMPLE SIZES: Three or four samples for each tasting session enhances total focus. Pour ½ to 1 ounce in each glass (same size and type eliminates aroma delivery characteristic differences). Always take notes. “Note” means write it down. Repeat three times on three different days and compare new notes with those from previous sittings. Notes consistency is a sure sign of building evaluation skills. Repeat blind (another party pours and presents samples randomly) to verify identification skills, and optionally in black glasses.

A SIMPLE TASTING PROCEDURE, S9:

With poured samples lined up, place covers (sanitary paper hotel glass covers, coasters, or clean glass petri dishes to entirely cover glass mouth openings to ensure aromas stay in the glass and will not saturate the atmosphere or taint your aroma evaluations. Covers are essential. THE SCIENCE OF SPIRITS

1.SEE:

Lift sample to eye level, examine color and clarity (write it down).

2.SWIRL:

Holding covered sample level, swirl to coat glass sides, note legs or tears as the liquid flows down the sides to its reservoir. Tears are the result of different surface tensions of ethanol and water and do not indicate body or sweetness (myth busted). If glasses are clean/soap-free, legs appear, aromas are intensified.

3.SNIFF:

Just before sniffing, uncover the glass, keep it level and place nose at top-center of the glass at the rim plane, and sniff slowly, focusing on aromas while moving from center to rim. Inhale lightly through nose only, mouth closed (not preferred if you insist on using tulip-shaped glasses). Write down all aromas detected. Repeat until confident all subtle nuances have been noted, recover and swirl for each trial. Using NEAT or a tumbler, complex character aromas appear at the center of the rim plane and more ethanol at the rim edge. This is the ortho-nasal olfactory (smell) evaluation step.

4.SIP:

Remove cover, take in a small sip (about ¼ ounce) of spirit. Inhale through nose while sipping.

5.SLOSH:

Manipulate tongue and expand/deflate cheeks to completely wash all areas in the oral cavity, back of tongue, under tongue roof of mouth, outside gums, etc. Taste buds and chemoreceptors are everywhere; utilize all of them to maximize flavor and chemo-sensation detection.

6.SUCK IN AIR:

Tilt head slightly forward to cover inside of lips with liquid sample, suck in air through thinly parted lips to aerate the mixture of spirit and saliva. Slosh around again.

7.SWALLOW:

Move mixture to the back of tongue, swallow slowly in small amounts or trickle (don’t gulp). Controlling the swallow, sets up the retro-nasal finish evaluation step. Finish combines olfactory, mouthfeel, and palate sensations all into a single, inseparable package transmitted to the brain through the tri-geminal nerve. Take this most important step seriously, focusing on tastes and mouthfeel. At the finish, one notices subtleties which make or break final approval. Did the tongue jump or flex upwards in the middle or back of the oral cavity attempting to stop the swallow? Acceptable finish is comfortable all the way down.

7.SMACK AND SAVOR:

After swallowing, breathe in slightly, smack tongue against the roof of the mouth to break saliva mixture surface tension and release more aromas. Close mouth and exhale slowly to move aromas through the pharyngeal opening at the back of the throat into the olfactory cavity and out through the nostrils to provide strong finish. Now you can trust all the receptors you have subconsciously relied upon since birth to provide all possible information and consciously focus on interpretation to turn aromas into a useful language to share.

Summary:

Simplicity is in the ordered regimen. Remember S9, review and practice until the order is automatic. We spend big bucks on wine, beer, and spirits. Perception is much more than singular, stark, shallow impressions of aroma or taste. Evaluate, appreciate, take copious notes, and unify all steps into a single smoothly flowing process to get your spirit or wine money’s worth. In Tasting Methods 3, we will explore organizing the information into a usable format which reinforces the steps and provides useful information to others.

George F Manska

Chief of Research and Development, Arsilica, Inc., engineer, inventor of the NEAT glass, and sensory science researcher.

Mission: Replace misinformation with scientific truth through consumer education.

Contact Information:

Phone: 702.332.7305 Email: george@arsilica.com Business mailing address: 452 Silverado Ranch Blvd, Ste #222, Las Vegas, NV, 89183.

Official judging glass of 34 major International spirits competitions

For decades spirits lovers drank from tiny copita and tulip glasses completely unaware that flavors are masked by concentrated alcohol. Tulips were designed for fortified wines, and spirits turn them into a nose-bomb of overabundant anesthetic alcohol quickly numbing your sense of smell.

Sensory science designed NEAT eliminates numbing, enhances aroma perception, and exposes all flavor nuances, good and bad. Taste the truth in bourbon, scotch, rum, tequila, and all spirits and liqueurs.

As a serious spirits lover, drinker, or collector, you don't mind spending big bucks to discover the rare and exceptional. Get your money's worth with the glass that delivers the truth and the perfect experience. Visit Us