If you’re new to the world of whiskey and bourbon tastings, you’ll want to come prepared. You might have checked out the venue’s rules and reviewed the glossary of whiskey terms to sound like a pro, but how you show up makes a big difference. We’re not talking about your outfit (though it probably helps to wear something nicer) — we’re talking about your breath (as in, what you’ve eaten before the tasting).
In our previous article on whiskey-tasting mistakes everyone makes, we spoke with Georgie Bell, a whiskey industry expert with 14 years of experience, member of the whiskey society Keeper of the Quaich, and co-founder of the Heart Cut, an independent bottling company. Bell’s advice is to come with a prepared palate.
“I would recommend not eating something too flavorsome before,” said Bell. “If you have, no problem, just give it a bit of time in between and also have a big glass of cold water.”
People often sip and spit at bourbon sampling events, primarily to avoid intoxication, but also so that their palate isn’t influenced by outside factors. Bourbon has a ton of flavor depth, and eating something with a lingering taste in your mouth can throw off your perception of the drink — similar to drinking orange juice after brushing your teeth. Spicy and salty foods can throw you out of whack.
Cleanse your palate with the right foods
Obviously, you don’t want to pull up to a drinking party on an empty stomach, or else you’ll be looking forward to lightheadedness and an upset digestive system. However, some foods tend to linger even after brushing your teeth and scraping your tongue. Foods that emphasize heavy seasoning, vinegar, peppers, garlic, onions, fish, and anything fermented are more likely to cling to your senses with their strong flavors.
The trick is to save a little bit of room after dinner for a palate-cleansing snack. A sorbet for dessert is light on the stomach, and the cold, fruity taste helps refresh the mouth. Crunchy apples and celery are hydrating foods with subtle tastes that stimulate saliva production to help clear out the previous meal. One of the most efficient and quick ways to cleanse your palate for whiskey is going for plain bread or crackers or other mild-flavored foods — items such as croissants, cereal, deli rolls, vanilla wafers, mozzarella cheese, or yogurt. And it cannot be emphasized enough: Don’t forget to drink water!
