Unexpected Blind Tasting Results

[ramblinman]

Did a little vacationing with some long time friends last week (roughly 1000 times less stressful than family vacations, just FYI). We did some big blind tastings each night and had a pretty broad range of tastes. A scotch guy, a casual drinker, a high proof lover, and a general whiskey guy who's usually a little too eager to try new labels on the market.

The most interesting thing we found is that across the board, and over two night we all liked the standard Beam white label more than the Beam black. We were all fairly surprised by this, thinking ahead of time that we'd prefer the extra age, but at least with a couple attempts we didn't. In general we found it more lively, a bit sweeter on the taste, and having a lot nicer finish.

Share some of your interesting/unexpected blind tasting results?

Edited August 3, 2014 by ramblinman

[Lost Pollito]

Oh yes. Plenty interesting results. The one that comes to mind, Larceny beating SW Old Fitz. Did not expect that. Blind tasting is the way to go.

[GaryT]

IMHO, blind tasting is the only way to form a truly unbiased opinion. A couple years back I bought a 1L of AAA 10yr in Kentucky and assumed it would beat out AAA 10star. I've done several blind tastings, and while they are similar - the 10-star has been my favorite each time (some nights by a wider margin than others). I fully expected the 10 yr to beat it, but am happy with the results as I can get the 10 star easily (and cheaply!) around the house!

[Richnimrod]

For actual analysis (and more fun), you cannot beat tasting side-by-side's (or sbsbsbsbs....) blind.

...And, with my 'iron palate' many surprises happen.

In my mind (ego?) I think I can 'usually' guess what I'm smelling & tasting.

In actual fact, I probably can narrow the field to distillery about 50-to-70 percent of the time.

Correctly guess the brand? Maybe about 25%....on good days! :slappin: So.... Surprises abound!!!

[squire]

I've actually had people get defensive when they couldn't pick out their regular brand and in fact choose one they had previously dismissed as rotgut.

[BourbonJoe]

Blind tasting results are always interesting.

Joe :usflag:

[393foureyedfox]

I've actually had people get defensive when they couldn't pick out their regular brand and in fact choose one they had previously dismissed as rotgut.

i had one friend, who was an ET fan, challenge another friend, who is an ETL fan, to a blind taste-off. the ETL fan picked ET as the better one. I found it rather amusing. The only thing I can definitively pick out of a lineup is Dickel, because its such a peculiar profile....everything else can blur together on any given night.

[squire]

Doug I think blind tasting is one of the most useful tools at our disposal for developing our mental tasting library. It's the most objective way I know to approach the subject.

I'm surprised at the number of posts I see where someone says they just bought (insert overpriced NDP brand) because they've "never tried it". My first thought is what, you've never tried basic Heaven Hill or MGP Bourbon? Cause that's what you're getting you're just paying 3-4 times more for it. Taste blind and you will learn what you really like and what's more why you like it.

[dmarkle]

Heh. Last week I went down to my favorite dive bar and started talking about Tito's vodka and how good I thought it was when I tried it earlier. I said to My bartender that I was pretty sure I could pick it out. He lined up a couple vodkas in a series of plastic shot glasses, and blind, I picked Ketel 1, Hangar 1, and Tito's, in that order. I could really tell the difference but failed to make out which was which. I then told him that surely I would be able to pick bourbons blind - I mean, after all, I *am* a (ahem, proud of myself) a member of a certain prestigious Internet Forum....

Out of similar "glasses", he lined them up. I immediately recognized the Basil Hayden and the Knob Creek, but failed to pick out the Bulleit and Kentucky Gentleman. The KG was in there just to mess with me, and he had quite a laugh. So much for my pretentiousness.

[B.B. Babington]

...So much for my pretentiousness.

ya have an excuse. ya been drinkin' at the bar with a kind tender throwing shots like a pitcher at the ball game.

[boneuphtoner]

Did a little vacationing with some long time friends last week (roughly 1000 times less stressful than family vacations, just FYI). We did some big blind tastings each night and had a pretty broad range of tastes. A scotch guy, a casual drinker, a high proof lover, and a general whiskey guy who's usually a little too eager to try new labels on the market.

The most interesting thing we found is that across the board, and over two night we all liked the standard Beam white label more than the Beam black. We were all fairly surprised by this, thinking ahead of time that we'd prefer the extra age, but at least with a couple attempts we didn't. In general we found it more lively, a bit sweeter on the taste, and having a lot nicer finish.

Share some of your interesting/unexpected blind tasting results?

[393foureyedfox]

my last blind tasting, I put OGDBIB over WT101, but barely. Yet somehow, I never can stand OGDBIB and find it nearly undrinkable. Even after the tasting, for weeks I tried to give it more chances, but ended up giving away the OGD as I still couldnt enjoy it. I cant explain that.

[squire]

There there Doug, it's going to be alright.

[flahute]

Everything goes a little better with OGD.

[amg]

my last blind tasting, I put OGDBIB over WT101, but barely. Yet somehow, I never can stand OGDBIB and find it nearly undrinkable. Even after the tasting, for weeks I tried to give it more chances, but ended up giving away the OGD as I still couldnt enjoy it. I cant explain that.

Sounds to me like you might enjoy a vatting of OGDBIB and WT101.