We often provide notes when we review our events & write up bottles we’ve enjoyed, and we certainly encourage our guests to discuss what we’re sampling at a tasting. Sometimes the notes that we record in our write-ups might sound strange or unappealing. And, understandably, the act of picking out the the flavours & components can be nerve-wracking for some, if they feel inexperienced when it seems to come easily to others.

It’s important to remember 2 things though:

1. Everyone has different experiences to build on when drinking a whisky and reflecting on what they make of it.
2. It can take practice and time to get familiar (and feel confident) with making the connections between what’s in your glass and what’s in your brain.

One opinion, from one nose, one mouth and one brain is based on the food that person has eaten today and the perfumes they’ve passed by. It’s based the memories they have of their favourite childhood sweet or holiday in a particular part of the world. Just like no two single cask whiskies can ever be the same, nor can two whisky drinkers. If you’d like a little help, we have flavour wheels on our tasting aids page, and plenty of events to offer you the opportunity to practice and expand your whisky experiences.

If a bottle’s provenance sounds like something that interests you, don’t necessarily let a note that doesn’t fit your usual preferences put you off trying it. One person’s grapefruit is another’s grilled cheese. Ultimately, everybody should be allowed to enjoy whatever whiskies they choose, in whatever ways they choose to.