Describe Bourbon without Using the Word ‘Smooth’

Once you become a whiskey (or whisky) lover, you will discover different flavors, tastes, and mouthfeels. Bad enough, many people, especially the beginners, lack the necessary whiskey vocabulary to describe bourbon and the tastes they encounter as they come across different brands and distilleries. Some people may decide to keep some whiskey bottles in their homes because of the cost, but also because it reminds them good old days when bourbon was made, not for money but an unforgettable taste and with genuine passion like no other.

If you are a long time bourbon enthusiast, you might have noticed that lovers of this drink have some unique culture. They have their language, rituals and behaviors, and if you are to be one of them, they will expect the same from you. You will be expected to know how to talk about bourbon.

For example, many people keep Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon in their home bar, not because of their low cost but because of their pleasant, sweet, medium body and toffee flavor with some sticky feeling in the palate. This brand is excellent when mixed into cocktails due to its bold flavor. As an avid bourbon enthusiast, you will notice that it would blend into cocktails without getting lost. Its relaxing soft finishes round out the flavors.

If you are living in an area known for bourbon production, you will appreciate having some knowledge about different distilleries or brands. You can get adequate knowledge by participating in some tasting parties and through spending days or even weeks of your time at distilleries, bars, tasting events and barrel picks. Even breathtaking for an avid bourbon lover is the smell of a rickhouse. While all you will see here are barrels professionally stored, your visit will help you appreciate the importance of having samples from those barrels in your house.

After touring these places and interacting with guides and distillers who know more about their own bourbons, you will gain enough knowledge of how things are done to be in a better position to answer some questions thrown here and there about these drinks.

Get beyond ‘smooth’

For example, one of the things you will learn is that unless you have no knowledge or vocabulary to describe a bourbon whiskey or you have nothing to say, never say it is “smooth.” This is one of the “golden rules” in bourbon drinking circles which you should know and you will surely come across if you mingle with the lovers of this game.

That aside, bourbon can be described as dignified or youthful. While it may sound hard to distinguish between the two at first, it is easy to tell them apart. For instance, a youthful whiskey is much like a teenage girl- and by that, I mean light, vibrant but not integrated. On the different side, a dignified whiskey has a blend that is irresistible and clear and equally easy to distinguish. You are also likely to come across terms such as soft, firm, dry, sweet among others which may be difficult at first but straightforward and enjoyable once you get used to them.

Sample descriptions

Here are a few descriptions taken directly from the Kentucky Distillers’ Association’s site.

Aroma:

Spicy with sweet fruit, fresh oak and delicate corn notes underscored by a layer of caramel and vanilla.
Chocolate, liqueur-like with vanilla notes.
Soft caramel with a faint sweet corn taste, oak and vanilla notes linger in its depths.
Strong, powerful vanilla overlays a rich fruit medley, sweet cocoa and a dash of black pepper spice
Soft, sweet oak character with rich notes of honey, spice and apple fruit

Taste:

A lively entry with spice, caramel and vanilla that melt into a mixture of fresh and dried fruit notes.
Soft fruit and ripe berries, hints of sweet coffee, tobacco and vanilla.
Soft, mild with very light oak, subtle sweetness and herbal grass notes.
A seesaw of subtle, sweet crème brûlée and apricot tart
Subtly sweet notes of chocolate, honey and marzipan atop a layer of cinnamon and spiced apple

Finish:

Rich, balanced between dry and sweet fading quickly.
Rich, balanced between dry and sweet fading quickly.
Mild, slightly dry apple peel freshness lingers on.
Clean, pleasantly sweet, cooling and refreshing
Warm and creamy with baked apple fruit character lingering on

As you can see, there’s a wide range of descriptions that mirror many of the descriptors used to describe wines.

Do it yourself

Just like anything in life, never feel intimidated to know more about bourbon of your choice and what it is made of that makes it awesome. Do not just talk about it, taste it and participate in events where people understand it and feel the taste.