Tasting Help

[smokinjoe]

Many of us use the tasting notes of others to help us to some varying degree with our own tasting experiences. For me personally, I rarely to never base a purchase based on anyone's review of a whiskey. I enjoy reading peoples notes and expressions, but don't attempt to baseline my tastes to theirs. The farthest I go in that respect is trusting a persons palate (and intent) and making a mental note of any interesting or different note they may pick up. Whether or not they "like" those notes is inconsequential to me, however. What I do use, however, are the notes that many get, and then see if I get it...particularly, if I had not in my own previous tastings. Case in point is a recent review I read where the taster reported a big butterscotch note in the MMCS. Frankly, I had not noticed that, but went looking for it...and found it when it smacked me right between the eyes. The result has been a greater appreciation for a whiskey that I "liked" well enough, but have come to "love"now.

There is no right way to answer this question, as each of us have different ways; But, how do you use the taste reporting here on SB to help you in your own tasting sessions? Do you use individuals likes and dislikes as baselines for your own potential determinations? Do you take reviews as a guidance for seeking out particular notes? Are there individuals specific tastes that over time have mirrored yours, and you use them as a barometer of how you'll likely feel about a whiskey. Or, do you do something else?

[Richnimrod]

Mostly, I read and enjoy the notes posted here by others. I don't rely too much on 'em to inform purchases, since tastes vary so much from person to person, as well as from day to day.

I do, to some extent, note things picked up by others, that I haven't found in my own experience. Sometimes, I 'go looking' for a particular note, having been made aware of its existence in this way. I don't always find it; but, often I do.

It's kinda fun to find something I may have missed. It increases my appreciation and enjoyment of the 'Bourbon Hobby in general, and the particular pour, as well. I think it probably expands my own palate to find notes in this way.

[MOwhisky4me]

I try to avoid concentrating on anyone else's tasting notes when I'm in the mood to really work on my flavor profile for a bourbon/whisky. I have found it can influence me and "confuse" my impressions a bit. When I'm in the mood to really spend some time tasting a bourbon I want to see what flavors and textures I come up with naturally. I do go back afterwards and compare to others thoughts though, and that's when I might use another's notes to "look" for something.

Overall I'm not as much of a taster as I am a drinker... I simply enjoy drinking a tasty bourbon. So a lot of the time I tend to use other's tasting notes to direct me to bourbons I haven't tried but might enjoy.

[Tony Santana]

I read most reviews for amusement. If something is sort of universally reviled, I tend to stay away from it. If something is universally hailed as excellent, and I haven't tried it before, I will seek it out. Everything else I take with a grain of salt, and will note what others say but obviously form my own conclusions. One exception - if something is described as "creamy" or "thick", that's usually something that is fairly easy to guage and not as dependent on individual palates. I like that quality, and that will influence my decision to obtain a bottle. Conversely, something described as "thin" is a quality that's also not as subjective. It won't stop me from trying something, but may make me more reluctant.

[beasled]

I don't have a great sense of 'notes', as in the ability to turn what I get into individual components, and often I do find it equally amazing and amusing to read what others get.

That said, I DO use reviews to decide on purchases but mainly when looking at more expensive and new (as in not tried before) bottles. Things are more expensive here obviously, so it pays to be more cautious.

But, there have been occasions where I have tried one in a bar and it's been one that has received poor reviews, yet I've enjoyed it and gotten a bottle.

I do like to revisit other's notes after I've tried (or during) though, to try and decipher whether I pick up the same or not. It's a great little hobby.

[petrel800]

Many of us use the tasting notes of others to help us to some varying degree with our own tasting experiences. For me personally, I rarely to never base a purchase based on anyone's review of a whiskey. I enjoy reading peoples notes and expressions, but don't attempt to baseline my tastes to theirs. The farthest I go in that respect is trusting a persons palate (and intent) and making a mental note of any interesting or different note they may pick up. Whether or not they "like" those notes is inconsequential to me, however. What I do use, however, are the notes that many get, and then see if I get it...particularly, if I had not in my own previous tastings. Case in point is a recent review I read where the taster reported a big butterscotch note in the MMCS. Frankly, I had not noticed that, but went looking for it...and found it when it smacked me right between the eyes. The result has been a greater appreciation for a whiskey that I "liked" well enough, but have come to "love"now.

There is no right way to answer this question, as each of us have different ways; But, how do you use the taste reporting here on SB to help you in your own tasting sessions? Do you use individuals likes and dislikes as baselines for your own potential determinations? Do you take reviews as a guidance for seeking out particular notes? Are there individuals specific tastes that over time have mirrored yours, and you use them as a barometer of how you'll likely feel about a whiskey. Or, do you do something else?

Too many words.

To sum up though, I'll be happy to come over to your house and help you "taste your whiskey." Give me a week and I can probably round up several guys you may know to pitch in . . . :slappin:

In all seriousness, if BigRich or you note anise in a whiskey, I know it's top notch stuff and the whole bottle can be judged on that quality alone. Don't forget even if you think you're doing it right, you're probably not . . .

http://spiritsjournal.klwines.com/klwinescom-spirits-blog/2013/5/7/robert-parker-tackles-bourbon.html

I too love the honeyed citrus intermixed with the orange marmalade notes I get in the Rollins Creek.

[tanstaafl2]

I read most reviews for amusement. If something is sort of universally reviled, I tend to stay away from it. If something is universally hailed as excellent, and I haven't tried it before, I will seek it out. Everything else I take with a grain of salt, and will note what others say but obviously form my own conclusions. One exception - if something is described as "creamy" or "thick", that's usually something that is fairly easy to guage and not as dependent on individual palates. I like that quality, and that will influence my decision to obtain a bottle. Conversely, something described as "thin" is a quality that's also not as subjective. It won't stop me from trying something, but may make me more reluctant.

I am kind of in this camp as well. Although if the mood strikes me I will try almost anything regardless of others notes...

[GAbiker]

Joe, I HAVE found that certain other individuals find tastes that "mirror" my own. I read reviews for entertainment only, don't refer to them when tasting myself. As stated above, if a bourbon is universally panned or hailed, it can occasionally alter my purchases. Not that it's ever stopped me from buying a bottle if the price is right. I picked the last Early Times 365 bottle as a store, and while I'm not sorry its gone the way of the DoDo bird, it wasn't THAT bad.

[Paddy]

How many ways can you skin a cat? That's what I think about subjective descriptors! They don't mean the same thing to any two people IMO...

There are many here whose opinions I've come to respect, so I will sometimes gauge the overall assessment of that group when determining whether something is worth pursuing or not.

For the most part, I've learned that if I take the time to edumacate myself a little bit (know the general age, proof, distiller, mashbill, etc.), I'm usually going to be ok and end up in my proverbial wheelhouse with a selection.

[Harry in WashDC]

tanstaafl2 & GA Biker pretty much cover my approach. I do read tasting notes but don't commit them to memory for use when shopping. Mostly, I've learned over time which posters have palates that somewhat follow mine (although more than once I've bought something and thought, "That's not funny, McGee - saying you liked this when it sucks."). But, they are guides, not rules. Persons who have demonstrated they've spent years tasting stuff get relied on more than newbies when it comes to UP or DOWN, and I do rely on a consensus. That said, my bunker has a few open clunkers that I bought in spite of the overwhelming opinion.

Those bottles look nice, though.

[Ikee]

Joe, I HAVE found that certain other individuals find tastes that "mirror" my own. I read reviews for entertainment only, don't refer to them when tasting myself. As stated above, if a bourbon is universally panned or hailed, it can occasionally alter my purchases. Not that it's ever stopped me from buying a bottle if the price is right. I picked the last Early Times 365 bottle as a store, and while I'm not sorry its gone the way of the DoDo bird, it wasn't THAT bad.

It was ET 354 and I thought I'd found my new favorite daily pour!!! Then POOF it was gone!

[GAbiker]

No idea why i wrote 365...of course 354...

And at close out was worth the $10.99 I paid.

It was ET 354 and I thought I'd found my new favorite daily pour!!! Then POOF it was gone!

[kcgumbohead]

The mentions of specific things here on SB certainly helps shape my bourbon wishlist if only to help narrow the field of things I might want to try. I don't usually look at a reviews until after I have acquired and tasted something then I go into a concentrated review search just to see if what I taste is similar to what others have found or not or as you mentioned Joe to illuminate something that I may have missed as I am getting to know this new pour. I don't often get round the table with fellow bourbon drinkers so these reviews are like a time delayed tasting session and I find it fun to read the different impressions while I am in the discovery stage with a new bottle.

There are a couple folks whose notes might lead me to a purchase but I usually look for a larger trend here on SB before something makes it onto the to do list, Smooth Ambler products are a good example of that.

[GaryT]

I've found a fair correlation to what some folks like/dislike to what I have found (through blind tasting) to like/dislike. Same thing with on-line reviews. It isn't perfect by any means, but especially with more expensive purchases (defined as over $70), I'll use that input to help me decide whether I want to buy something immediately, or consider it a "try before I buy". Kinda like Kentucky windage out on the shooting range - it ain't perfect, and sometimes is dead wrong, but when I've made completely blind purchases without reading up on it first - I've been disappointed at a higher frequency than when I felt at least somewhat informed.

The notes themselves do help me determine if a pour might be one of those outliers. For example, I don't care for a ton of oak, so if I see notes about that - even if the reviewer loved it, I'll be more skeptical regarding my own appreciation.

[DonutsNBourbon]

when I am tasting a whiskey, I actually go to the distiller's website to see what their tasting notes are and what they intend the bourbon to taste like and see if I can get any of those flavors and aromas. I'm a noob, so I can't actually distinguish much in terms of the different flavors yet, just whether or not I like the way it tastes overall. Still trying to hone that part of my palate.

[TunnelTiger]

I tend to use notes that use the term thick, creamy, and a "ton of oak" because those are traits that I prefer. The word thin is an alarm to me and it's doubtful I'll purchase that bottle no matter the popularity.

My favorites are rye forward bourbons and ryes in general. I'll enjoy a wheater occasionally but they are not my bourbons of choice.

[Flyfish]

Mrs. F. and I enjoy pouring each other a blind taste now and again. It can be quite "edumacational" as Paddy might say. Mrs. F. enjoys Kirkland as a daily pour. She has often turned down a KC as something that just did not appeal to her. Until the day I gave her some blind.

I gave up keeping notes a long time ago. After a while, everything started to sound the same. Besides, nuances I detected on Tuesday had disappeared by Thursday and were replaced by something totally contradictory by Saturday. Bourbon is like Alzheimer's. Every day you get to meet so many new people.