Efficiently discovering a preferred taste profile

[cowdery]

The bottles you decided to try are good choices. Most here would consider them superior, yet they are moderately priced. You could even go a little cheaper on the Beam and substitute Jim Beam black label for the Knob Creek.

As others have cautioned you, though, don't expect that just because you like one bottling from a particular distillery you will like others. It's amazing how much variation a distillery can get, even if they only make one mashbill.

Probably the best thing you can do is take advantage of the vast tasting experience of the people on this board. If you find something you like, post something like this, "I tried Old Washboard 6-year-old, 93 proof and really liked it. Can you recommend anything similar?"

No guarantees, of course. As someone here used to say, "your mileage may vary," but that may be a better way to reach your objective than to find something you like and then randomly try other products of that distillery.

[timberwolf]

Thanks for the welcome and advice, jeff. As for WTRB, I may indeed try it first as the various reviews I have read of it have my mouth watering. Chances are, if I like it I will *really* like it. The bottle design is one of my favorites, too.

I really wasn't sure whether to start this thread in the general area or the tasting area, so thanks for cleaning up after me. As I report on each of my choices associated with this initial "test pattern", should I simply add to this thread or start a new thread for each one in the tasting forum?

[timberwolf]

Yeah, I had not counted on a wide variation in distillery output, but several have cautioned about this so I will be careful about drawing my conclusions. I expect to eventually get around to trying most of the different bottlings at some point after this initial foray anyhow.

Your suggestion about consulting the board to find similar bottlings to those I end up liking seems like a pretty good one. As I cover each choice I try I will probably solicit comments in this area even if I don't prefer that choice right away. That way I should be able to start identifying related groupings as I go.

BTW, I enjoyed looking around your personal web site - lots of interesting information. You seem like a good person to ask: How does one go about getting a job tasting whisky for a living?

[Paradox]

As I report on each of my choices associated with this initial "test pattern", should I simply add to this thread or start a new thread for each one in the tasting forum?

My advice is if you are going to go 'all out' and actually write up tasting notes using a template, such as the one I'll post at the end of this, go right ahead and make a whole new post in the tastings forum. If you are going to just give your impressions briefly on a selected pour in a paragraph or something like that, youy can search and see if there have been tasting notes done it it already and just add to an existing thread.

Here's that template:

<preamble -- whatever opening remarks you would like to make introducing this bottling>

Name: <The product label, including any age statement>

Info: <Batch No., Bottle No., etc...>

Distillery: <Distillery info>

Cost: <What you paid, and where>

Proof: <Bottling’s proof statement>

Bottle: <Description of shape/type of bottle>

Color: <Description of the physical attributes of the liquid itself>

Body: <Thin, thick, how it cllings to glass, mouthfeel, etc>

Nose: <Olfactory impressions>

Taste: <Description of the initial taste impression>

Finish: <Description of the lingering taste impression>

Overall: <Overall impression of this bottling>

[timberwolf]

Thanks, I believe I will use the template and create a post for each choice I try. I feel a little silly offering my inexperienced opinion (especially since I may have to drink my words later on if I change my mind) but I want to go through the exercise as part of my learning process. I doubt I'll be detecting any sophisticated flavors (uh, lessee, I think it tasted a bit like corn), but I don't think I can make much progress without a serious attempt. Maybe this way I can gauge my degree of palate sensitivity improvement (if any) as I gain experience.

[Paradox]

I wouldn't worry a bit, just give it your best shot! Heck, I didn't post tasting notes the first year or more I was here... I just did one some time back and had fun doing it and try every now and then. My palate is no where near Jeff's or others on here, but nonetheless, no one will fault anyone for trying. Everyone perceives different things in a pour so just have fun! I await to hear your impressions

[bobbyc]

This may help Talking about Tasting No point in reinventing the wheel if it's not nessesary. This is an Old post here at SB.com that I have marked as a favorite thread( From the "My Home" page). It has some good reference material.

[jeff]

That is almost exactly what I do when I'm trying to describe a bourbon in a tasting. I find that I discover more about a bourbon on day two than on day one. I need a little time for the excitement of a new bottle, as well as marketing hype to wear off. Sometimes it just takes a day or two to put a finger on what exactly that strange or different flavor is. Basically the more you try, the better you become at identifying specific flavors and aromas.

[bobbyc]

I think it shows that you do. Sometimes I get excited about covering as much ground as possible and forget to take the time and spend it with one expression, to get as much out as possible.

[timberwolf]

This may help Talking about Tasting...

Thanks! I had not come across this yet; it should help a great deal.