Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Initial tasting from a new bottle of scotch

One observation I made when taking the initial drink from a freshly opened bottle is that, more often than not, the scotch does not taste quite as good as subsequent tasting.  The difference, though certainly noticeable, is hard to describe - perhaps a "sharp" taste to it, as well as a stronger alcohol presence.

Left to stand by itself, the flavors will tend to meld and improve after a while.  Air, I believe, is the reason for this change in taste.  When the seal of the bottle is broken, and the cork is removed, air enters though the mouth of the bottle and interact with the alcohol.  This renewed interaction between air and liquor, combined with the natural evaporation of the alcohol, serves to alter the flavor of the drink. 

As always, bottoms up my friend.
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62 comments:

  1. The Angry LurkerMarch 9, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    What about putting it in a decanter for a while or does that work?

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  2. ThingsIThinkAboutMarch 9, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    Hmmm. It's my brother's birthday today. He's into all sorts of different things, and I think a bottle of scotch might make a unique gift.

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  3. Astronomy PirateMarch 9, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    Hmm, it could be an oxidizing effect. Oxygen is extremely well at bonding with other atoms and chemicals. I'm sure there is a science paper on the effect somewhere!

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  4. rinnsMarch 9, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Interesting, i never really knew about that. But then again I don't really know too much about scotch, or alcohol in general :<

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  5. viljami.korianteriMarch 9, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Didn't know that...

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  6. UnknownMarch 9, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    cheers!

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  7. UnknownMarch 9, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    cheers!

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  8. CandleintheDarkMarch 9, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    I noticed that too. I'm not the biggest fan of scotch but it does taste a little better after airing for a second

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  9. CandleintheDarkMarch 9, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    I noticed that too. I'm not the biggest fan of scotch but it does taste a little better after airing for a second

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  10. DudemeisterMarch 9, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    I mostly drink 15$ scotch. Doesn't really make a difference ;)

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  11. Justsayin'March 9, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    So air is a bad thing I take it :)

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  12. Kicking RocksMarch 9, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    thast good to know!

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  13. Binary SoulMarch 9, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    Had never noticed myself .... will try it with my next bottle.

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  14. AlexanderMarch 9, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    I'm learning so much about scotch..thanks!

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  15. TheHarvesterMarch 9, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    never noticed that. def looking forward next time

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  16. T. BanacekMarch 9, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    This is something I'll try to take notice of next time I open a bottle.

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  17. The_illustrative_MindMarch 9, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    Scotch has always been the one liquor I just haven't really tried. No one I know likes it and I don't drink alone all too often. But it's sounding more and more interesting with each post here.

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  18. Electric AddictMarch 9, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    probably depends on the type of scotch

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  19. AnonymousMarch 9, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    I didn't know that, I'll do some testing next time I have a drink

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  20. tak47March 9, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    aw yeah, we're all keeping it classy

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  21. baxxmanMarch 9, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    How often do you open a new bottle? Once a week?

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  22. UnknownMarch 9, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    Interesting observation. I'll have to try and notice it the next time I've got a new bottle

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  23. AnonymousMarch 9, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    I'll make sure not to be the first one to drink the scotch :D

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  24. BurgerMarch 9, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    I have only had Johnny Walker(Red and Black), but it was quite enjoyable. I am mostly a whiskey drinker.

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  25. InnovationsMarch 9, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    BOTTOMS UP - BOTTOMS UP

    lets party

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  26. AnonymousMarch 9, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    Who knew that whiskey needed to breathe just like wine.

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  27. RebeccaMarch 9, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    wow didn't know that

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  28. Aaron M. GipsonMarch 9, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    So basically what you're saying is that it's best not to hit a good bottle of scotch like a frat boy the second you open it.

    That might be what messed me up in my first Scotch experience...

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  29. ShutterbugMarch 9, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    Didn't know that...

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  30. Ante BabajaMarch 9, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    i drink 10dollar brandy :/

    no money :(

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  31. Anton NuemusMarch 9, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    yes, the air makes it taste more intensive.
    therfore the wine drinkers slurps their wine for a better taste

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  32. Meghan MoranMarch 9, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Did not know that. I'll try to take notice next time I get a bottle.

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  33. AMarch 9, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Hey I found this too! I found that the taste of Whisker, along with a couple of other drinks, increases as the volume of the liqueur decreases.

    I don't know if this is the effects of the alcohol, or chemistry with the air though.

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  34. Robert FünfMarch 9, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    That's interesting. I hear about having to let certain drinks "breath". So, I suppose that's what they mean.

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  35. AlphabetaMarch 9, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Good to know. Same as 'breathing' red wine I guess.
    How long is a 'while'? An hour? A day?

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  36. AltenfrostMarch 9, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    Very interesting. +Follower

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  37. JamyMarch 9, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    thanks man, good post.

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  38. TriperMarch 9, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    like whisky in the jar heh..

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  39. PorfirioMarch 9, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    I love whiskey but I can't handle bourbon whiskey. Only really like Canadian Whiskey. VO Gold is my favorite.

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  40. TrelinMarch 9, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    I'll have to remember that.

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  41. ChuckMarch 9, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    Didn't know that about airing it. Not managed to acquire a taste for scotch yet, though coming from Scotland I really should.

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  42. JayMarch 9, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    isn't that true for all hard drinks?

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  43. GMarch 9, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    cool tip - didn't know that!

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  44. Clarence MillerMarch 9, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    following and $upporting

    therichesthappiest.blogspot.com

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  45. BassislvMarch 9, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    didn't know about that too, nice info

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  46. LhosreiffMarch 9, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    Nifty little infos. I noticed the taste difference too.

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  47. loveblogginMarch 9, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    i could sure go for some scotch right about now

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  48. RawMarch 9, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    I guess it's sort of like how sodas taste really sharp and fizzy when you first open them, but get more and more flat over time.
    I know scotch isn't carbonated, but the change is similar.

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  49. ExoticBloggerMarch 9, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    nice analysis

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  50. Aaron CunninghamMarch 9, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    Damn girl mo Williams killin the celtics

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  51. edMarch 9, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    i never noticed this, interesting observation

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  52. TasosMarch 10, 2011 at 12:00 AM

    I'll keep that in mind, although I suck at recognising alcoholic drink's tastes

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  53. BartMarch 10, 2011 at 1:44 AM

    bet its aweosme when i post this

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  54. SamMarch 10, 2011 at 2:32 AM

    Sweet info, bottoms up!

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  55. ruinzMarch 10, 2011 at 2:38 AM

    After 2-3 they all taste the same :P
    How to Hack Life.

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  56. Stef PelgrimsMarch 10, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    i only drink wine and beer :P they dont have that problem :P

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  57. MerlyyMarch 10, 2011 at 6:47 AM

    I'm keeping it classy ;)

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  58. SpikeMarch 10, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    thanks man

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  59. Patti D.March 10, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    very interesting

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  60. SportsGuyBrandonMarch 10, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    I usually enjoy a new bottle.

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  61. Colin and NickolasMarch 11, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    cool that you picked up on that

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  62. Toast BurntMarch 11, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    Yes, of course. This is often talked about with wine. Letting the bottle "breathe" makes it taste COMPLETELY different. Also I've found that with scotch, letting it breathe in a glass full with a couple cubes of ice for 5 min makes it much smoother. Thanks!

    I follow and support those who do likewise.
    toastburnt.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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