Now that you know what defines bourbon, you might be wondering how best to enjoy it. Should you brace yourself and throw back a shot, sip it neat before a roaring fire, or just mix it with some Coke? The first thing to remember is that there is no wrong way to drink bourbon, and you should enjoy it any way you like. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for adding an ice cube or some water, or even mixing it with soda. 

However, if you are interested in really exploring the flavors of bourbon and deciphering the often complex palate, here are some tips on what glassware to use, how to get the aroma, and a technique you can use to explore the full extent of the bourbon’s flavor profile.

The Glassware 
First, consider your glassware. While an old fashioned tumbler is great for a cocktail, try using a Glencairn or similar glass for nosing and tasting. These glasses, ubiquitous in the world of Scotch, are specifically designed to open up the aromas and flavors of whiskey without overwhelming you with alcohol.

The Scent
No need to swirl your bourbon like wine, just bring it up to your nose and gently inhale with your mouth slightly open. Don’t stick your nose right in the glass, though–you’ll likely just get a blast of alcohol.

The Taste
Next, take a small sip and swirl it around your mouth to coat your palate. You can try the “Kentucky chew” method if you’d like, a technique often credited to the late legendary Jim Beam master distiller Booker Noe (swish the whiskey around your mouth and smack your lips a few times as if chewing to coat your palate). Then take another sip and see what you taste.

When tasting bourbon, keep in mind three things: the flavors on the palate, the mouthfeel, and the finish.

The Palate
Keeping in mind that flavor is entirely subjective, classic bourbon tasting notes include vanilla, caramel, stone fruit, sweet grain, charred oak and roasted nuts.

The Mouthfeel
The kinds of words people use to describe this portion of the bourbon range from 'thin and spicy', to 'creamy and rich'.

The Finish
The higher the ABV, the more intense these flavors and sensations can become, and the more heat you'll taste in the finish, which can range from long and smooth to hot and abrupt.

Try a few different bourbons side by side to see how they compare, starting with something around 80 proof and working your way up to 100 proof or higher. See how the different levels of alcohol affect the flavors and finish, and you might find that you enjoy sipping something a bit stronger or that it needs a bit of water to tame it. 

Up next — we’ll explore some go-to bottles that you should keep on your home bar.