Diluting whisky during a tasting
The release of aroma provides a pleasant sensation during a whisky tasting and is a key quality indicator for consumers.
In whisky and in spirits in general, alcohol is the main volatile component: it plays a major role in the organoleptic perception of both taste and aromas. This excess of alcohol can lead to changes at a molecular level with, as a consequence, a noticeable impact on the aromatic balance and an important effect on the product’s sensory perception. Whisky amateurs tend to add a few drops of water to whisky believing that it improves the taste. However, the way in which diluting whisky with water affects its perception is not that simple.