Tasting Notes/Notebook or Journal

[Golferpimp1]

For those that keep one, did you buy one online? or make one?  Im just getting into this, and think it would be interesting to keep notes on various bourbon's, and then update it over the years as tastes etc change.  Just looking to see what the options are, and what folks are using.  Thanks for any suggestions, I appreciate the help.

[Darwin]

Google can find several tasting notes templates.  One of them should work for you or give you ideas to create your own.  I have looked at a few, but not done anything more.

 

[dcbt]

I have never taken any notes, but I'd just use plain old Excel.  Easy to sort / filter for fields as the file grows over time.

[Flyfish]

I admire people who have the discipline and discriminating palate that make note keeping worthwhile. I tried it about 10 years ago. What I found was that, although there were noteworthy (so to speak) differences in the bourbons, my notes made them all sound the same. Vanilla, caramel, oak char, a little citrus, maybe some leather, cooking spices. Nice nose, medium-long finish. Repeat that 50 times then throw the notes away.  

[Enoch]

I wish I had started keeping a notebook when I got interested in Bourbon....both for tasting notes and adventures. Both searching out old stores and visits to bars. If anything, to remember where I had seen or tasted something. (I once saw several bottles of old style Bulleit from the 90s. Looked cheap so I didn't get it. Several years later when I realized what it was, I couldn't remember where I saw it.) When I got interested in craft beer, I started one for breweries I had visited (114 to date). I bought a leather blank journal from B&N and now each time I visit a new one, I get a sticker, list the date and who I was with, and notes on the flight or pint and any food I get, etc. I carry it with me and it looks like a bible so I have had people ask me if I plan on preaching. Also a great conversation starter.

 

PS I tried a formatted tasting book once from 33 but found I left large sections of it blank so I quit using it.

Edited April 25, 2016 by Enoch

[KyleCBreese]

I use the Barreled app for notes and ratings. It is nice looking and easy to use.