Beginners guide: How to drink Kentucky bourbon whiskey
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Beginners guide: How to drink Kentucky bourbon whiskey
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Is there a right way to taste and drink Kentucky bourbon? If you’re a beginner, watch the video with this story for tips and step-by-step instructions to find out the answer.
Here’s a guide of what you’ll need to try a taste test at home:
▪ A flavorful bourbon (it doesn’t have to be super expensive but you’ll probably get more out of this guide if you don’t go bottom shelf.)
▪ A clean, short glass (don’t use plastic and make sure it isn’t soapy) plus ice or plain water.
▪ A plate of items to taste with such as unsalted pecans or walnuts, cheese such as shaved Parmesan or another hard variety, dark chocolate, dried fruit such as cherries, cranberries, apricots, bananas or similar. To further experiment with the flavor of the bourbon, You also can add a dab of sorghum, honey or maple syrup. And neutral crackers are nice to help clear your palate between sips. This is the kind of tasting Kentucky distilleries such as Woodford Reserve offer on tours.
▪ As you sip and nose, sometimes a drop of water or ice will open up a whiskey and release all those flavors you read about in the tasting notes.
An important thing to remember is to savor and enjoy the drink. And if you like it a certain way, go with that. According to Fred Noe, master distiller at Jim Beam, the right way to enjoy Kentucky bourbon is “any damn way you like.”
This story was originally published March 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Beginners guide: How to drink Kentucky bourbon whiskey."
