How to Taste
As a confirmed devotee of brandy once noted, “…one does not drink brandy, one derives pleasure from it.” It is true: sampling the flavor of a brandy is not enough if you want to judge the merit of this most distinctive drink. All five senses must work together to round out the pleasure of experiencing a fine brandy. For this reason, tasting brandy can be likened to a secret and complex form of art, where only the chosen few attain true excellence. But why should that keep you from trying to discover something new while enjoying a glass of your favorite brandy? Read on to learn about the special rituals associated with tasting brandy.
A small quantity (20-50 ml) of superb brandy is slowly poured into a clear brandy snifter. Fine brandy is absolutely transparent, so transparent that you should be able to see a fingerprint on the opposite side of the glass when you look through the drink. The range of colors varies from pale flax (young brandies) to a deep, dark amber (aged brandies).
Tilting the glass slightly, gently rotate it in a circle and bring it back to center. As the brandy slides down the inside of the glass in droplets and streams, the traces it leaves behind form a sort of viscous crown. The slower the droplets fall and the thicker the streams on the inside of the glass, the older the brandy.
In order to experience a brandy’s aroma, aficionados warm the drink by slowly rotating the glass between their palms. The first wave of the aroma, usually light vanilla tones, can be perceived at a distance of 5 cm from the edge of the glass. Put your nose to the very edge of the glass to discern the second wave of aroma, which encompasses fruity, woody and floral notes, as well as the aroma of eastern spices and nuts. The third wave, with your nose lowered into the glass, brings out the aromas of the ageing process, including complex notes of port wine. There is also a fourth wave of aroma – the aroma exhaled by the empty glass. The aroma of some of the oldest brandies can remain in the glass for several days.
To feel the flavor of the brandy, slowly take a sip and let the drink open up in your mouth, releasing its magic. Brandy’s full bouquet appears slowly, with the fine, velvety flavor transitioning into an aftertaste that speaks to the brandy’s age and quality. As a rule, a prolonged aftertaste indicates a venerable brandy.
We sincerely hope that our suggestions have given you a new appreciation for the fine art of brandy tasting, and that these ideas will increase your pleasure as you enjoy your favorite brandies.