Emma Jones
What is “The Chew” and Why is it Important?
In exploring the world of bourbon, you’re bound to come across the term ‘The Chew’. This particular method of tasting is not just a fun novelty. It’s key to understanding the complexity of bourbon and truly appreciating what you’re sipping on. Used by bourbon connoisseurs and experts, the term ‘The Chew’ refers to a tasting technique that engages more than just your sense of taste.
Humans have five basic types of taste – sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. However, the true range of flavors we experience comes from our olfactory receptors located primarily in our noses. ‘The Chew’ helps us tap into this sense of smell while tasting bourbon, which subsequently enhances the flavor profiles we detect.
Preparing for the Chew
Before diving into the chew, it’s essential to set the stage right for your taste buds. First, pour your bourbon into a glass. Ideally, use a tulip-shaped glass to concentrate the aromas. Pour a small amount, around an ounce. You don’t want to overwhelm your palate or nose.
Next, observe the color. The color can hint at the age and potentially the type of barrels used during distilling. Swirl the liquid gently and observe ‘the legs’ or ‘tears’ trickling down the glass’s sides. Thick, slow-moving ‘tears’ could indicate a high alcohol content.
Executing “The Chew”
Small Sip
The first step of ‘The Chew’ is taking a small sip of the bourbon. The goal here isn’t to swallow immediately. Instead, let the bourbon settle on your tongue. Start registering the most prominent flavors hitting your taste buds.
Start “Chewing”
Now the fun begins, move the liquid in your mouth, chew on it almost as if it were food. This method may feel strange at first, but it’s an essential part of the process. As you mimic the motion of chewing, the liquid bourbon will come in contact with more areas of your taste bud and lips, opening up a broader range of taste perceptions.
Inhale while chewing
While you “chew” your bourbon, take a shallow breath through your mouth. This action allows the vapor from the alcohol to travel up into your nasal passage, activating your olfactory receptors. Essentially, you’re now introducing your sense of smell into tasting the bourbon, which will enhance your flavor experience.
Swallow
Once you have chewed for a bit, swallow the liquid. Focus on the sensation down your throat; this we term as the bourbon’s ‘finish’. Pay attention to how long the bourbon taste lingers – this might be an indicator of the beverage’s quality and flavor profile.
Reflection is Key to Understanding
After swallowing, take a moment to reflect. Don’t rush this process. Recall the flavors – did it start out sweet and then turn spicy? Or did it have a strong vanilla or caramel note? How about the finish? Was it warm and spicy or cool and refreshing? Note down these observations to understand the product’s quality and appreciate it more fully.
‘The Chew’ is a Journey, not a Destination
The ‘Chew’ should be a fun experience, not a textbook procedure. While the steps provide a guideline, ultimately, everyone’s palate is different. So don’t stress if you’re not detecting a bouquet of sophisticated flavors initially. Like most things in life, tasting bourbon properly takes time and practice.
So next time you’re at Bourbon and Beyond 2023, or even in your living room, remember to execute the “The Chew” and truly experience the myriad of flavors your bourbon has to offer. Cheers to new tasting experiences!
