Bourbon & B.S. - Flights for Sensory Development - Blog 11

Bourbon & B.S.: Blog 11 - Sensory Flight Tasting Guide & Workshop

🦬 Bison Bourbon & Spirits Training Co. (bisonbourbonspiritstc.com)

Theme: Discovering Preference Through Structured Exploration

🧪 Approaching Sensory Flights as Experiments

The idea behind a sensory flight of whiskey—or any spirit—is to treat it like a structured experiment. The goal is to minimize the number of aromatic and taste variables so you can isolate and observe how one or two specific factors influence your perception. This approach helps you identify which characteristics you personally prefer, whether it's grain type, maturation length, proof, regional style, or barrel finish.

The most effective way to conduct this kind of tasting is with a group of people in a blind format, where participants don’t know which product they’re sampling. This removes brand bias and allows for more honest, sensory-driven feedback. Ideally, the flight is curated by an experienced guide or educator who can control the variables and lead the discussion. However, if you're organizing it yourself, designate one person to set up the flight and maintain the blind aspect—ensuring that labels, bottles, and any identifying features are hidden until the end.

For beginners, here are a few tips to enhance the experience:

• Use consistent glassware (like Glencairn or tulip glasses) to concentrate aromas.

• Avoid strong scents in the room—no candles, perfumes, or food that could interfere.

• Take notes on aroma, taste, mouthfeel, and finish. Use descriptive language, even if it’s playful or personal.

• Discuss openly with others. Hearing different perspectives can sharpen your own palate and vocabulary.

• Reveal and reflect at the end. Compare your impressions with the actual products to learn how branding, age, or region may have influenced your expectations.

• Avoid having more than 5 samples in a flight due to sensory lockout and over indulgence

  
  

Sensory flights aren’t just educational—they’re communal, reflective, and often surprising. They invite you to slow down, pay attention, and discover what truly resonates with your palate while having fun with a group of like-minded people. Check them out and have fun!

🥃 Scotch Whisky Regional Flight: 5 Expressions of Terroir and Tradition

1. Speyside – The Glenlivet 12 Year Old

• Style: Light, fruity, floral

• Why it fits: Speyside is known for elegant, approachable single malts. Glenlivet 12 is a benchmark—soft orchard fruit, honey, and a whisper of vanilla. It’s the region’s most globally recognized expression.

2. Highlands – Glenmorangie Original 10 Year Old

• Style: Rich, creamy, citrusy

• Why it fits: The Highlands offer diversity, but Glenmorangie’s signature tall stills and mineral-rich water yield a silky, orange-zest-forward malt that exemplifies the Northern Highland style.

3. Islay – Laphroaig 10 Year Old

• Style: Peaty, medicinal, maritime

• Why it fits: Islay is synonymous with peat. Laphroaig 10 delivers iodine, seaweed, and smoke in bold waves. It’s unapologetically Islay and a rite of passage for peat lovers.

4. Lowlands – Auchentoshan Three Wood

• Style: Triple-distilled, smooth, sherried

• Why it fits: Lowland whiskies are typically lighter and floral. Auchentoshan’s Three Wood adds depth with bourbon, Oloroso, and Pedro Ximénez cask aging—bringing chocolate, dried fruit, and spice while retaining Lowland finesse.

5. Campbeltown – Springbank 10 Year Old

• Style: Oily, briny, complex

• Why it fits: Campbeltown malts are coastal and layered. Springbank 10 is lightly peated, with maritime salt, dried fruit, and a chewy texture that reflects the region’s rugged charm.

🔥 Peat Progression Flight: From Gentle to Bold

1. Speyside – Glenlivet 12 Year Old

• Peat Level: None

• Why it fits: A clean, fruity Speyside malt to calibrate the palate. No smoke here—just honeyed pear, citrus, and floral notes. Sets the baseline for what peat is not.

2. Lowlands – Glenkinchie 12 Year Old

• Peat Level: Very Mild

• Why it fits: While most Lowland malts are unpeated, Glenkinchie’s grassy, slightly earthy profile hints at barley character without overt smoke. A gentle transition.

3. Highlands – Ardmore Legacy

• Peat Level: Mild

• Why it fits: Ardmore uses Highland peat, which is woodier and less maritime than Islay’s. The Legacy expression offers subtle smoke layered with vanilla and spice—an elegant midpoint.

4. Campbeltown – Springbank 10 Year Old

• Peat Level: Medium

• Why it fits: Springbank’s peat is complex—earthy, oily, and coastal. The 10 Year Old balances brine, dried fruit, and a chewy texture with a moderate smoky backbone.

5. Islay – Ardbeg 10 Year Old

• Peat Level: Heavy

• Why it fits: Ardbeg 10 is a peat monster—intense smoke, tar, seaweed, and citrus. It’s the crescendo of the flight, delivering Islay’s full-throttle peat with finesse.

🕰️ Glenfiddich Maturation Journey: From Youth to Depth

1. Glenfiddich Orchard Experiment (No Age Statement)

• Age: NAS

• Profile: Crisp apple, pear, and floral notes

• Why it fits: A vibrant, youthful start. Finished in Somerset Pomona spirit casks, it’s playful and fruit-forward—perfect for calibrating the palate.

2. Glenfiddich 12 Year Old

• Age: 12 years

• Profile: Fresh pear, oak, and subtle spice

• Why it fits: A classic Speyside malt. The 12 Year Old introduces gentle oak influence while retaining orchard fruit brightness.

3. Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve

• Age: 14 years

• Profile: Vanilla, caramel, and baking spice

• Why it fits: A bold shift in maturation. Finished in ex-bourbon barrels, this dram adds American oak sweetness and depth.

4. Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera Reserve

• Age: 15 years

• Profile: Sherry richness, honey, and warm spice

• Why it fits: The Solera vatting system creates a layered, consistent profile. It’s a turning point in the flight—complex, warm, and resonant.

5. Glenfiddich 18 Year Old

• Age: 18 years

• Profile: Dried fruit, oak, and elegant spice

• Why it fits: A refined finale. Matured in Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks, it offers depth, balance, and a lingering finish—without breaking the bank.

🕰️ Updated Buffalo Trace Maturation Flight: From Youth to Depth

1. Benchmark Old No. 8 (NAS, ~3–4 years)

• Age: Non-age-stated, typically 3–4 years

• Profile: Young corn sweetness, spice, and oak

• Why it fits: A punchy, youthful start that sets the baseline for aging effects.

2. Buffalo Trace Bourbon (~6–8 years)

• Age: Estimated 6–8 years

• Profile: Vanilla, toffee, mild oak

• Why it fits: The flagship. Balanced and smooth, with more integration than Benchmark.

3. Eagle Rare 10 Year Old

• Age: 10 years

• Profile: Dried fruit, leather, toasted oak

• Why it fits: Aged longer, with more barrel influence and emerging complexity.

4. Eagle Rare 12 Year Old

• Age: 12 years

• Profile: Vanilla, toasted oak, almond, and warm toffee

• Why it fits: A new permanent addition to the Eagle Rare lineup, aged longer and bottled at 95 proof. It deepens the flavor arc with bold complexity and a lingering finish.

5. Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection 14 Year Old (Coarse Grain Oak)

• Age: 14 years

• Profile: Oak, vanilla, dried fruit, spice, long finish

• Why it fits: A unique expression showcasing extended aging and oak influence. It’s a refined finale with depth and warmth, ideal for closing the flight.

🥃 Distinctive Bourbon Flight: 5 Producers, 5 Perspectives

1. Buffalo Trace – Weller Antique 107

• Distillery: Buffalo Trace (Frankfort, KY)

• Style: Wheated bourbon, 107 proof

• Why it fits: A cult favorite for its sweet, full-bodied profile. The wheated mash bill softens the spice, allowing caramel, cherry, and vanilla to shine. It’s a bold yet elegant start.

2. Peerless – Toasted Barrel Bourbon

• Distillery: Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. (Louisville, KY)

• Style: Sweet mash, double oak (charred + toasted), cask strength

• Why it fits: Peerless uses a sweet mash (no backset), enhancing grain character. The toasted barrel finish adds layers of honey, cinnamon, and dark chocolate.

3. 10,000 Drops – Single Barrel Bourbon

• Distillery: 10,000 Drops Distillery (Faribault, MN)

• Style: High-rye mash bill, non-chill filtered, ~100 proof

• Why it fits: A craft standout with bold spice, charred oak, and vanilla. Each barrel is individually proofed, showcasing terroir and barrel variation.

4. Willett – Noah’s Mill

• Distillery: Willett Distillery (Bardstown, KY)

• Style: Small batch, ~114 proof

• Why it fits: Once age-stated at 15 years, now NAS but still rich and complex. Expect toasted oak, dried fruit, roasted nuts, and baking spice. A high-proof pour with finesse.

5. Jim Beam – Single Barrel Bourbon

• Distillery: Jim Beam (Clermont, KY)

• Style: Traditional mash bill, 108 proof

• Why it fits: A leap beyond Beam’s White Label. This single barrel release offers richer oak, vanilla, and spice, proving that legacy brands can still surprise.

🥃 Craft Bourbon Flight: 5 Distillers, 5 Stories

1. Buffalo Distilling Company – One Foot Cock Bourbon

• Location: Buffalo, NY

• Mash Bill: NY-grown corn, rye, and malted barley

• Profile: Toasted grain, vanilla, and light spice

• Why it fits: A true farm-to-bottle bourbon made entirely in Buffalo. It’s youthful, grain-forward, and proudly local—perfect for opening the flight with regional authenticity.

2. Wilderness Trail – Small Batch Bourbon Bottled-in-Bond

• Location: Danville, KY

• Mash Bill: Wheated bourbon, sweet mash

• Profile: Honey, cinnamon, and soft oak

• Why it fits: Wilderness Trail’s sweet mash fermentation and bottled-in-bond aging deliver a clean, rich profile. It’s a standout in modern craft wheated bourbon.

3. New Riff – Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

• Location: Newport, KY

• Mash Bill: High-rye (65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley)

• Profile: Bold spice, citrus, and caramel

• Why it fits: A high-rye bourbon with punchy character and deep complexity. New Riff’s commitment to transparency and bottled-in-bond standards makes it a craft darling.

4. FEW Spirits – Straight Bourbon

• Location: Evanston, IL

• Mash Bill: Corn, rye, malted barley

• Profile: Toasted oak, clove, and dark fruit

• Why it fits: FEW’s urban distilling roots and bold flavor profile bring a northern twist to bourbon. It’s spicy, rich, and expressive.

5. Ironroot Republic – Harbinger Bourbon

• Location: Denison, TX

• Mash Bill: Bloody Butcher corn, rye, barley

• Profile: Dark chocolate, tobacco, and dried cherry

• Why it fits: A Texas powerhouse. Ironroot’s use of heirloom corn and French aging techniques creates a dense, layered finale for the flight.

🗺️ Geographic Bourbon Flight: 5 Regions, 5 Distinctive Styles

1. Buffalo Distilling Company – One Foot Cock Bourbon

• Region: New York (Northeast)

• Designation: Straight Bourbon

• Profile: Toasted grain, vanilla, and light spice

• Why it fits: A true farm-to-bottle New York bourbon made with locally grown grains. It reflects the Northeast’s grain-forward style and youthful vibrancy.

2. Wilderness Trail – Bottled-in-Bond Small Batch Bourbon

• Region: Kentucky

• Designation: Kentucky Straight Bourbon

• Profile: Honey, cinnamon, and soft oak

• Why it fits: A modern Kentucky classic. Sweet mash fermentation and bottled-in-bond aging deliver a clean, rich profile that honors tradition with innovation.

3. George Dickel No. 12

• Region: Tennessee

• Designation: Tennessee Whisky (legally a bourbon, filtered through charcoal)

• Profile: Maple, charcoal, and mellow spice

• Why it fits: Tennessee’s signature Lincoln County Process gives Dickel its smooth, mellow character. A must-have to contrast with Kentucky’s oak-forward style.

4. Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon

• Region: Texas

• Designation: Straight Bourbon

• Profile: Roasted corn, leather, and dried fruit

• Why it fits: Texas heat accelerates aging, creating bold, dense flavors. Balcones uses pot stills and heirloom corn for a rich, chewy texture.

5. Freeland Spirits Bourbon

• Region: Oregon (Pacific Northwest)

• Designation: Straight Bourbon

• Profile: Floral, spice, and stone fruit

• Why it fits: A woman-owned distillery blending high-rye bourbon with Pacific Northwest finesse. It’s a floral, fruit-forward finale that reflects cooler aging climates and creative blending.

🌾 Grain-Driven American Whiskey Flight: 5 Grains, 5 Expressions

1. Wheat – Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey

• Grain Focus: Winter wheat (at least 51%)

• Region: Kentucky

• Profile: Soft, honeyed, and mellow with notes of vanilla and bread dough

• Why it fits: A pioneering wheat whiskey that’s smooth and approachable. It sets a gentle tone for the flight and showcases wheat’s creamy character.

2. Corn – Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whiskey

• Grain Focus: 100% blue corn

• Region: Texas

• Profile: Roasted corn, cocoa, and sweet cereal

• Why it fits: Made from heirloom blue corn, this bold Texas whiskey delivers earthy sweetness and a chewy texture. A perfect showcase of corn’s depth beyond bourbon.

3. Rye – Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey

• Grain Focus: Rye (at least 51%)

• Region: Kentucky

• Profile: Baking spice, cocoa, and dry oak

• Why it fits: A high-proof rye with classic spice and structure. It brings heat and complexity, contrasting beautifully with the softness of wheat and corn.

4. Single Malt – Westland American Single Malt

• Grain Focus: 100% malted barley

• Region: Washington State

• Profile: Chocolate, roasted nuts, and dried fruit

• Why it fits: Westland’s Pacific Northwest climate and use of specialty malts create a rich, layered single malt that rivals Scotch in depth while remaining distinctly American.

5. Other – Corsair Quinoa Whiskey

• Grain Focus: Quinoa and malted barley

• Region: Tennessee

• Profile: Nutty, earthy, and slightly floral

• Why it fits

🌍 Global Whiskey Flight: 9 Countries, 9 Expressions of Craft – Mix & match but neven more than 5 samples per flight

1. Scotland – Glenfiddich 12 Year Old (Speyside Single Malt)

• Elegant, fruity, and floral. A benchmark for Scotch single malt.

2. Ireland – Redbreast 12 Year Old (Single Pot Still)

• Creamy, spicy, and sherried. Ireland’s signature style with depth and texture.

3. Canada – Crown Royal Deluxe (Blended Canadian Whisky)

• Smooth, vanilla-rich, with subtle rye spice. Canada’s most iconic blend.

4. Japan – Yamazaki 12 Year Old (Single Malt)

• Delicate, umami-rich, and floral. A refined expression of Japanese craftsmanship.

5. USA – Balcones Baby Blue (100% Blue Corn Whiskey)

• Earthy, roasted corn, and cocoa. A bold Texas take on corn whiskey.

6. USA – Wild Turkey 101 (Kentucky Straight Bourbon)

• Spicy, caramel-forward, and full-bodied. A classic high-rye bourbon.

7. USA – George Dickel No. 12 (Tennessee Whiskey)

• Maple, charcoal, and mellow spice. Distinctly smooth from charcoal filtration.

8. France – Armorik Classic (French Single Malt)

• Malty, coastal, and lightly fruity. Brittany’s elegant answer to Scotch.

9. India – Amrut Fusion (Single Malt)

• Tropical fruit, spice, and oak. A bold fusion of Indian and Scottish barley.

🥃 Whiskies by Secondary Maturation Type - These finishes can dramatically alter aroma, texture, and flavor—making them ideal for sensory flights focused on secondary maturation.

🍷 Sherry Cask Finish

• GlenDronach 12, 15, 18 Year Old – Oloroso & PX sherry casks (Scotland)

• Redbreast Lustau Edition – Finished in Bodegas Lustau sherry casks (Ireland)

• TX Bourbon PX Cask Finish – Finished in 20-year-old Pedro Ximénez casks (USA)

🍇 Port Wine Cask Finish

• Balvenie 21 PortWood – Finished in 30-year-old port pipes (Scotland)

• Angel’s Envy Bourbon – Finished in ruby port casks (USA)

• Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 Year Old – Finished in port casks (Scotland)

🍾 Chardonnay & Other Wine Cask Finish

• Jefferson’s Reserve Pritchard Hill Cabernet Cask Finish – Finished in Napa Valley wine barrels (USA)

• Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish – Finished in California red wine casks (USA)

• Stranahan’s Sherry Cask – Finished in Oloroso sherry barrels (USA)

🥃 Rum Cask Finish

• Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old – Finished in rum barrels (Scotland)

• Koval Single Barrel Rum Cask Finish – Finished in rum casks (USA)

• Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky – Finished in rum casks (South Africa)

🍺 Ale & Beer Cask Finish

• Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition – Finished in stout beer barrels (Ireland)

• Jameson Caskmates IPA Edition – Finished in IPA barrels (Ireland)

• WhistlePig The Boss Hog VIII – Finished in craft beer barrels (USA)

🍯 Honey Barrel Finish

• Belle Meade Honey Cask Bourbon – Finished in barrels that held local honey (USA)

• Garrison Brothers HoneyDew – Bourbon infused with honey barrel aging (Texas, USA)

🍁 Maple Syrup Barrel Finish

• Taconic Distillery Maple Bourbon – Finished in maple syrup barrels (New York, USA)

• WhistlePig Maple Syrup Barrel Rye – Finished in Vermont maple syrup barrels (USA)

🧭 Flight Ideas by Finish Type

• Sweet & Syrupy: Maple, honey, rum

• Wine-Influenced: Sherry, port, chardonnay

• Beer-Influenced: Ale, stout, IPA

• Experimental: Cognac, tequila, coffee, cider (ask if you'd like a list!

🌳 Whiskies by Oak Species & Barrel Treatment

🔥 American White Oak (Quercus alba) – Charred

• Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon – Heavily charred new American oak

  
  

  Profile: Vanilla, caramel, toasted oak

  
  

  Why it fits: Classic bourbon sweetness and structure from deep char.

• Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select – Charcoal mellowed, aged in charred American oak

  
  

  Profile: Maple, banana, toasted spice

  
  

  Why it fits: Combines mellowing with bold oak extraction.

🪵 American Oak – Toasted (Light or Medium Toast)

• Maker’s Mark 46 – Finished with toasted French oak staves

  
  

  Profile: Baking spice, vanilla, creamy texture

  
  

  Why it fits: Toasted oak adds subtle spice and depth.

• Woodford Reserve Double Oaked – Finished in a second barrel with heavy toast

  
  

  Profile: Chocolate, dried fruit, soft oak

  
  

  Why it fits: Toasting enhances sweetness and mouthfeel.

🌰 French Oak (Quercus robur or petraea)

• Basil Hayden Red Wine Cask Finish – Finished in French oak wine barrels

  
  

  Profile: Red fruit, spice, dry tannins

  
  

  Why it fits: French oak imparts tighter grain tannins and elegant spice.

• Westland Garryana Edition – Uses Garry oak, a rare American species related to French oak

  
  

  Profile: Smoke, clove, dark fruit

  
  

  Why it fits: A unique regional twist on French oak influence.

🪓 European Oak (Quercus robur) – Ex-Sherry or Wine Casks

• GlenDronach 15 Revival – Matured in Oloroso and PX sherry casks

  
  

  Profile: Raisin, walnut, spice

  
  

  Why it fits: Dense tannins and rich fruit from Spanish oak.

• Aberlour A’bunadh – Cask strength Scotch aged in Spanish oak sherry butts

  
  

  Profile: Fruitcake, spice, dark chocolate

  
  

  Why it fits: Bold European oak character.

🥖 French Limousin Oak (Quercus robur)

• Brenne French Single Malt – Aged in Limousin oak and Cognac casks

  
  

  Profile: Crème brûlée, fruit, floral spice

  
  

  Why it fits: Limousin oak offers high tannin and Cognac-style elegance—ideal for showcasing French terroir.

• Michel Couvreur Intravaganza – French malt whisky aged in Limousin oak

  
  

  Profile: Herbal, nutty, dry spice

  
  

  Why it fits: A rare French malt with old-world oak influence.

🌸 Japanese Mizunara Oak (Quercus mongolica)

• Yamazaki 18 Year Old – Partial aging in Mizunara oak

  
  

  Profile: Sandalwood, coconut, incense

  
  

  Why it fits: Mizunara adds exotic spice and a dry, aromatic finish—distinctly Japanese.

• Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt – Includes Mizunara-aged components

  
  

  Profile: Delicate smoke, sandalwood, fruit

  
  

  Why it fits: A blend that highlights Mizunara’s subtle complexity.

🧭 Flight Ideas by Oak Type & Treatment

• Char vs. Toast: Elijah Craig vs. Woodford Double Oaked

• American vs. French Oak: Maker’s 46 vs. Brenne

• European vs. Japanese Oak: GlenDronach vs. Yamazaki

• Regional Oak: Westland Garryana vs. Michel Couvreur