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With a growing number of offerings, such as those produced by an increasing number of microdistilleries,[1] various mechanisms have arisen to provide reviews and opinions of individual varieties of spirits. These events generally use expert panels and blind tastings within specific categories to provide opinions and ratings.
These competitions charge an entry fee. Although gold, silver and bronze awards are granted there are no limits as to how many of each may be bestowed.
Most of these events follow a similar format:[2]
Experts typically begin by assessing a given spirit based upon its "appearance" and "nose", its aroma. It will often be held up to light in clear glass to examine its color and "legs" while sniffing for other flavor "notes".
Second, experts will taste the spirit and let it wash over the palate (tongue) searching for more "notes" or flavors and often comment about different foods or scents that it evokes.
Third, experts will swallow (or, more often, spit) and examine the taste sensations for a "second life" or aftertaste, again searching for more flavor notes.[3]
- ^ Abelson, Jenn (28 March 2009). "Entrepreneurial spirits". The Boston Globe.
- ^ See, for example, http://www.agave.net/information/event_judges.html Archived 2011-12-07 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Blue, Anthony Dias, The Complete Book of Spirits: A Guide to Their History, Production, and Enjoyment, First Edition, 2004.