Tasting and Blend of Distilled Spirits～in the case of Whisky / Brandy～

Abstract

Whisky (brandy) making is divided into two processes, “matured whisky (brandy) making” and “design and blend of final products”. Design and blend of product content is done by blenders with outstanding tasting ability. The transparent whisky (brandy), just after distillation, are packed into barrels. The whisky (brandy) quality in barrels change to different personalities during aging and maturation for many years. Blenders participate from “matured whisky (brandy) making” to “design and blend of final products” including the continuous quality evaluation of the whisky (brandy) in barrels which change every moment during aging and maturation. Blender’s tasting method is different for each product category and each company. There is no worldwide common standard or method. The taste and smell are most difficult senses to be qualified. Blenders of each company use their own original “flavor wheel” as common words of taste and smell for tasting to be able to communicate well each other.