Spirits Tasting Lexicon

Question 1

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Raw Materials

CORN

Answer 1

• butterscotch
• sweetcorn
• corn bread
• popcorn
• caramel
• burnt sugar
• toffee
• menthol

Question 2

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Raw Materials

MALTED BARLEY

Answer 2

• husk
• porridge
• barley
• malt
• flour
• oatmeal

Question 3

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Raw Materials

RYE

Answer 3

• rye bread
• gingerbread
• peppercorn
• allspice

Question 4

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Raw Materials

GRAPE

Answer 4

• grape
• fig
• prune
• raisin
• sultana
• citrus
• elderflower
• orange blossom
• rose, violet, perfume, lavender, lilac, dried flowers

Question 5

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Raw Materials

SUGAR CANE

Answer 5

• grass
• herbaceous
• caramel
• burnt sugar
• toffee
• treacle
• molasses

Question 6

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Raw Materials

FRUITS

Answer 6

• apple, pear, apricot, peach, plum, cherry, marzipan
• strawberry, raspberry, blackcurrant, blackberry
• orange, lemon

Question 7

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Raw Materials

AGAVE

Answer 7

• agave
• peppercorn
• root vegetable
• olive
• capsicum
• herbaceous

Question 8

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Raw Materials

BOTANICALS

Answer 8

• juniper, citrus peel, root, earthy, cumin, peppercorn
• aniseed, fennel, licorice
• cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom
• coriander, basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, lemongrass, mint

Question 9

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Processing

SMOKE

Answer 9

• peat, medicinal, smoked fish, smoky, seaweed, iodine
• smoke, char, charred vegetables

Question 10

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Processing

ESTERS

Answer 10

• banana
• apple
• pear
• floral
• pineapple
• melon
• mango
• pear drops
• nail varnish

Question 11

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Processing

HEADS

Answer 11

• pungent solvent (prickling sensation on the nose)
• vinegar

Question 12

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Processing

TAILS

Answer 12

• plastic
• cheese
• feet
• burnt rubber

Question 13

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Oak and Maturation

OAK

Answer 13

• vanilla
• toasted bread
• coffee
• cedar
• char
• spice
• sherry
• sawdust
• coconut
• nuts

Question 14

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Oak and Maturation

AGE / RANCIO

Answer 14

• fruit cake
• candied fruits
• leather
• tobacco
• wet leaves
• mushroom
• forest floor
• meaty
• gravy
• yeast extract
• wood polish

Question 15

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Texture / Other

DOES THE SPIRIT FEEL…

Answer 15

• rough, harsh, sharp?
• smooth, silky?
• mouthfilling, full, oily?
• watery, thin?
• warming?

Question 16

Describing Aromas and Flavors: Texture / Other

OTHER COMPONENT DESCRIPTORS

Answer 16

• bitterness
• astringency

Question 17

Appearance:

CLARITY

Answer 17

• clear
• hazy (faulty?)

Question 18

Appearance:

INTENSITY

Answer 18

water-white - pale - medium - deep - opaque

Question 19

Appearance:

COLOR

Answer 19

• colorless - lemon - gold - amber - brown
• pink - red - orange - yellow - green - blue - purple - brown - black

Question 20

Appearance:

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Answer 20

• louching: slightly hazy - cloudy and opaque
• other: particles

Question 21

Nose:

CONDITION

Answer 21

clean - unclean (faulty?)

Question 22

Nose:

AROMA INTENSITY

Answer 22

neutral - light - medium (-) - medium - medium (+) - pronounced

Question 23

Nose:

AROMA CHARACTERISTICS

Answer 23

• raw materials
• processing
• oak and maturation

Question 24

Palate:

SWEETNESS

Answer 24

dry - off-dry - medium - sweet

Question 25

# Palate: **FLAVOR INTENSITY**

Answer 25

neutral - light - medium(-) - medium - medium(+) - pronounced

Question 26

# Palate: **TEXTURE / OTHER**

Answer 26

* rough, smooth, watery, mouthfilling, warming, astringent (textures) * bitterness (flavor)

Question 27

# Palate: **FLAVOR CHARACTERISTICS**

Answer 27

raw materials, processing, oak and maturation

Question 28

# Palate: **FINISH (length)**

Answer 28

short - medium(-) - medium - medium(+) - long

Question 29

# Palate: **FINISH (nature)**

Answer 29

neutral - simple - some complexity - very complex

Question 30

# Conclusions: **Assessment of quality** **BUILDING AN ARGUMENT**

Answer 30

* balance * length * intensity * complexity * expressiveness

Question 31

# Conclusions: **Assessment of Quality** **QUALITY LEVEL**

Answer 31

faulty - poor - acceptable - good - very good - outstanding