What we refer to as our ‘“palate’” is really how we taste with our various senses. There are several ways that you can improve your palate and over time you’ll be shocked at how differently you perceive the taste of spirits as you detect their subtle nuances.  

Having the ability to recognize key flavors will help you craft a well-balanced serve and also help you create exciting new cocktails. Most importantly, you’ll be able to give your customers recommendations that suit the specific flavors they’re looking for. 

A great way to start refining your palate is by doing tastings with your own bar team. It’s a perfect opportunity to sit down together to compare the aromas and flavors you’re experiencing.  

Spirits - 750mls will provide enough for 16 tastings. 

Water - To cleanse the palate in between tastes, spring water is best. 

Glassware - Stemmed glasses are best to capture aroma. 

Measuring cup - For measuring spirits accurately. 

Notebook - To record findings and discussions. 

Appearance: Begin by assessing clarity and color. Is the spirit clear, bright, cloudy, or dark? Next, look for bubbles. The more bubbles you have, the higher the volume of alcohol. Finally, focus on the viscosity. Looking for ‘legs’ in the glass when swirled identifies higher levels of alcohol, while slow falling legs show higher sugar content. 

Follow Your Nose: A finely tuned sense of smell can often tell you more about a spirit before you actually taste it. Bring the glass slowly towards your nose and, take a small sniff, but don’t inhale fully, and focus on identifying the first aroma. After an initial sniff and taste add a drop of water and then reassess the aroma to see if you can detect any changes. 

Take Your Time: To truly taste in a way that educates your palate, you have to slow things down. Take a small sip first, so that you can focus on the flavors. Take the second sip much slower, allowing the liquid to roll around your mouth and the vapors to float into your nose.  

Taste: Try to taste every ingredient in your serve separately, learning its flavor. Hold a sip in your mouth and assess the flavor profiles. Is it citrus, is it lime, lemon, or even orange? This will give you a better understanding when making a new cocktail or meeting a client’s preference. 

Record your reflections: Our sense of smell is closely linked with memory, so use expressive or emotive words to describe what you’re experiencing. Jot your initial thoughts down on aromas and flavors and over time these notes will help you identify distinct aspects, allowing you to discuss them more confidently. 

TOP TASTING TIPS 

The perfect way to help develop your palate is to become more familiar with some key flavors. Use this chart to help direct you when tasting flavors with your team. 

Use the below descriptors to help you identify and talk about different variants. 

Gin - Flavors such as coriander, juniper berries, citrus, and ginger.  

Bourbon - Woody resin, caramel, toffee, and ripe fruity flavors. 

Tequila - Woody oak, sandalwood, sharp citrus, vanilla and caramel.  

Rum - Sweet and sugary vanilla, spicy ginger and cinnamon. 

Blended Scotch - Sugary vanilla and honey, floral and perfumed, smokey, malt and fruit.  

Vodka - Citrus, spices, and licorice.  

• Always ensure you’re comparing other spirits from the same category. 
• Always taste from the lightest strength to the strongest strength.  
• Ensure liquid is always at room temperature. 
• Don’t taste too much in one tasting and take your time. 
• Taste in daylight to see the natural colors.