There are only a few things you need:
A good whisk(e)y. Maybe even two whiskies from the same distillery so you can taste and compare the differences and similarities directly. Or a few from the same region. or if you’re just getting started maybe try the extremes; a Irish whiskey, one from Japan something from Scotland.
Glassware. The best would be a glass that is some way tulip shaped. No whisky glasses? A wine glass will do. Don’t like using a wine glass? Use the glasses you love and maybe even experiment with the same whisky in different glasses. I still don’t have a favourite glass it depends on my mood.
Something to write your notes on like a notebook.
Water. A carafe and plenty of water. No need to buy anything special, just the water you usually drink. I use tap water.
How to taste:
Have a look: It’s best when looking at a whisky to have a white background like for example your notebook pages. What colour is the whisky? Does it look oily? Does it remind you of anything?
Smell. It’s best to breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Bring the glass up from the table to your nose, when you can smell the aromas don’t go any higher. The spirit shouldn’t burn your nose and there’s no need to swirl it like you would do with a wine.
Again the same question as before: what does it remind you of? Summer? Maybe it’s something floral. Christmas? Probably vanilla or spices. Fruit? Citrus or stone fruit? It’s important at the beginning not to try and be too detailed.
Taste. Take a small sip and hold it on your tongue for a second. Then second and third sip; here I recommend a second for every year it was in the barrel, give or take, it should never be unpleasant. While the spirit is on your tongue that’s where we can evaluate the flavour. The next part is my favourite: the finish you’ve swallowed (or spat..yeah right) your whisky and the flavour can continue to unfold and move toward the aftertaste or finish as we like to call it.
Adding water: it good to add water but be careful, you can put it in but can’t take it back out. Use a teaspoon or just dip your finger in your glass of water and let a drop or two fall into your whisky. I always recommend this but in reality I prefer whisky without water. It’s still good to try though. The important thing here is to try the whisky, smell, taste, finish etc. without water and then repeat it again with a drop of H2O and see what’s changed.
Again it’s important not to try and be too detailed too soon. It’s more than enough to write down a couple of key words or associations. This isn’t work after all!
Time. You can’t rush good whisk(e)y. So you definitely can’t rush a whisky tasting. Put the kids to bed, turn your phone off and take some time for yourself and what’s in your glass.
Whisky tastes best when shared with friends and family, but if this isn’t physically possible at the moment there are ways around it: you can share your tasting notes if you make any or have a quick video call during or after.
Slainte!
Footnote:
This article started out as collaboration with Bushmills to be written in German. As it was a press release space was at a premium so this is the uncut, more detailed version in English. Want to read the press release in German? here you go: https://www.drinks-magazin.com/news/details/bushmills-mit-diy-whiskey-tasting-fuer-zuhause