Distillers do the charcoal filtering process before aging the whiskey in new charred oak barrels, while they filter other whiskeys after aging. This delivers a smoother whiskey by removing the ‘impurities’ and other congeners while mellowing the whiskey. The Lincoln County Process uses predominantly charred maple charcoal to filter the whiskey sometimes, they also steep it in the charcoal. It is exclusive to the state of Tennessee, while they may produce anywhere bourbon in the USA. Rye is not as sweet or smooth as its cousin’s bourbon.Īnother American whiskey is Tennessee whiskey. A smooth Scotch whiskey will not leave a harsh alcoholic sting or taste in your mouth.Īmerican bourbon, made from at least 51% corn, combined with either malted barley, rye, or wheat, delivers smooth-tasting whiskeys.įlavor profiles may include a caramel or vanilla aftertaste, sweetness with hints of soft spices, and woody flavors. For a whiskey to be smooth, it has to be a genuinely enjoyable experience and not overpower the mouth with the alcoholic burn.Īfter the first sip, take a deep breath and note the aftertaste–this is the finish. The First TasteĪ strong, young whiskey may cause some people to cough or momentarily gasp for air. Distillers combine different flavored whiskeys and vintages to produce a smoother-tasting final product.Ī smooth whiskey will still have identifiable aromas despite the alcohol content. These whiskeys are usually a combination of malt and grain whiskeys, usually containing more grain than malt. Another indicator is a slight burning sensation in the nose–usually found in a younger whisky.īlended whiskeys are an exception. Younger Scotch whiskies, around five years old, will have a higher alcohol smell than others that have been aged for a longer time. Jameson Irish Whiskey: Although a light-colored whiskey, the triple distillation results in a smooth-tasting whiskey of 40% ABV.Of course, the honey also helps to create a smoother taste. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey: It is a light amber-colored whiskey mixed with their own honey liqueur to produce a smooth-tasting whiskey.They sometimes age bourbons requiring a quick maturation in virgin oak barrels.ĭarker colors usually show a smooth whiskey. The post-maturation filtering through charcoal removes some of the unwanted tastes and congeners from the whiskey. Whiskey, which spent too long in oak barrels, especially virgin oak, draws a zesty and/or bitter flavor–the opposite of what smoothness implies. It is especially the Burgundy barrels that give the dark color. They combine these two with another dash of whisky aged in newly toasted oak. It starts the journey in bourbon casks, but later they age one half in Oloroso Sherry casks and the other in Burgundy barrels. The wood imparts color to the whiskey, and the longer a whiskey stays in contact with its barrel, the more color will develop.Īn example here is Glenmorangie Vintage 1991–a deep amber-colored Scottish whisky. But, the choice of barrel can give the whiskey a particular color, making it look darker, although it wasn’t aged for a long period. The color shows a whiskey’s smoothness–generally, a darker whiskey was aged longer. Ingredients also play a role–grain-based whiskeys are usually sweeter and smoother as opposed to malted whiskeys. To determine a whiskey’s smoothness, you look at factors such as the color, nosing or smelling the whiskey, and of course, tasting. Read on to learn more! How To Determine Smoothness Ultimately, the taste is the biggest determining factor when looking for a smooth whiskey. We will look at how to find a whiskey’s smoothness before you sip it by considering its color and its smell. You will also be able to distinguish unique aromas and notes within the smell. Yes, there will be a slight alcoholic whiff, but smooth whiskeys won’t have an overpowering alcohol smell. Another ‘test’ to find a whiskey’s smoothness is to smell the whiskey. Most people look for the least alcoholic ‘bite’ after taking a sip when considering a whiskey’s smoothness. A whiskey’s color may show its smoothness–darker whiskeys mature longer, which results in a darker color. This brings us to the question, what is the smoothest whiskey?īasically, the smoothest whiskey is one that you can sip without a large amount of alcoholic mouth burn, stinging, coughing, or even gasping for breath. Whiskey is a potent drink–we cannot get away from that fact.īut, you may look for an easy-drinking whiskey without the heavy peat and smoke tastes. For novices in the whiskey-drinking world, or those preferring a whiskey with less of an alcoholic bite, smooth whiskeys are the best choice.
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