Autotec Volvo & Standard Bank Whiskey Tasting
Autotec Volvo and Standard Bank Nelspruit recently hosted a Glenfiddich whiskey tasting for some of their valued clients.
A grand evening was had by all! Thami Banda, global brand ambassador for Glenfiddich took the floor with a very entertaining and informative presentation on whiskey 101. Whilst appreciating the “gentleman’s” drink, guest were treated to some gourmet snacks prepared by The Food Fundi.
A few great whiskey tasting tips were shared, here’s what we learnt:
- Swirl – similar to a wine tasting, the common practice in whiskey tasting involves swirling the whiskey in a glass. This allows you to have a look at the legs, “the way the whiskey runs down the glass”. Thami informed us that younger whiskeys legs tend to be closer together and more aged whiskeys further apart.
- Appreciate – once you have swirled the whiskey in your glass, have a look at both the legs and color. Older whiskeys tend to have about three distinct colours when held up to the light, these are gold and bronze with a red hue.
- Smell – by swirling you have opened up some of the smell of the whiskey. Pay attention to the sweetness, younger whiskeys tend to be sweeter. Unlike wine, whiskey is held in the hand as the warmth of your hand actually releases the sugars enhancing the smell. In Scotland, they take this so seriously that they consider the table neutral ground and if you put your whiskey down they won’t hesitate snatching it up and claiming it as their own.
- Taste – take a small sip of the whiskey and give it a swirl in your mouth before swallowing. Once you have swallowed breathe out. This will reduce the burning sensation many people experience in their chest. In terms of taste, whiskey tends to lose some of its alcohol the longer it stays in the barrel. This gives older whiskeys a smoother finish.
- Toast – it is tradition in Scotland to toast the company you’re in with the Galic expression “slainte math” (slanj’-uh-va’), meaning good health.
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